On Sunday, December 2, Grace Church in Rutland will present the annual performances of
Handel's "Messiah". The Rutland Area Chorus, soloists and orchestra will perform the concerts at
3:30 PM and 7:00 PM under the direction of Rip Jackson. A free will offering will be accepted
and a reception will follow the 7:00 PM performance. For more information, please call the church office
at (802) 775-4301.
First United Methodist Church, Burlington, Vermont announces three Advent Recitals
scheduled for the first three Thursdays in December at 12:15 PM.
Dec. 6 George Matthew, Jr. organist
Toccata, canon and fugue on "Come, Savior of the Nations" - Ragnar Bovre Haugene
Canonic Variations on "From Heaven above to Earth I come" - J. S. Bach
Chorale Variations on the Gregorian Ave Maria - Sergei Taneijev
Dec. 13 Dr. James Wright, pianist
Helen Wright, violinist
George Matthew, Jr., organist
Variations on the St. Anthony Chorale arranged for piano and organ - Johannes Brahms
Sonata for violin and clavier - G. F. Handel
Dec. 20 George Matthew, Jr., organist
Works by J.S. Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, Reinhold Gliere, Pietro Yon, Siegfried Karg-Elert and Eugene Gigout
The Northeast Kingdom Chorus under the direction of Dr. John Weaver will present its
Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 15 at 7 PM at the East Craftsbury
Presbyterian Church and on Sunday, December 16 at 4 PM at the Greensboro United
Church of Christ. The program includes Mozart's "Missa Brevis in B-flat", K 275; John Weaver's
arrangement of J.S. Bach's "Alleluia" from Cantata 142; several shorter seasonal selections; and four
holiday compositions by John Weaver. Strings, flute, and organ will accompany various selections.s
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington, Vermont will offere a special service on
Sunday, December 16 at 5:00 PM featuring The Great O Antiphons of Advent. The Cathedral
choirs, under the direction of Mark Howe, sing at this festive candlelit service. Music will include
Peter Hallock's setting of the seven Great O Antiphons, as well as works by William Byrd, Ellen Gilson
Voth, Michael Fleming, and others. Festive banners designed by Judith McManis will adorn the nave.
The Stowe Community Church will present its annual performance of Handel's "Messiah"
on Friday, December 21. For more information please call the church at (802) 253-7257.
The Wills Memorial Pipe Organ Concert Series will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church,
Bennington, Vermont as part of the Cornerstone Centennial Celebrations, 2007-2008. These events feature
the refurbished 1938 Estey pipe organ given in memory of Harry Wills by William Wills, Lt. Governor of
Vermont, 1937-1941, and Governor of Vermont, 1941-1945. Concerts are Sundays at 3:00 PM.
Tickets are $20 for the 3-concert series or $8 each. Call (802) 442-2911 to reserve tickets. After-concert
receptions will be held in the St. Peter's Guild Room. This series is sponsored by Wills Insurance and
Bob and Cora May Howe. The dates and organists performing are:
Jan. 13 Randall Krum
Apr. 13 Anne Marcure
The Cathedral of St. Paul, Burlington, Vermont, will feature Randall Krum at the organ for a
Tuesday - 12 to 1 recital on January 15. The event will showcase the dazzle of the Royal
Court with church music for the French Baroque organ. This is a free, informal noontime concert. Bring a
bag lunch, and coffee and tea are provided.
Andy Lawrence has a new address: Andrew Lawrence, 33 1/2 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, VT. 05452.
Several churches are struggling to find organists. You can help immeasurably by keeping yourself aware
of the situations in churches in your area and helping them connect with folks with keyboard experience and/or
advanced keyboard students that study with you or someone nearby. Also, helping churches connect with
reputable people who can help them maintain their instruments is a valuable service to your community
as well.
Our Vermont Chapter's balloting for officers to lead us for the next few years will occur this spring.
If you would be willing to fill one of these positions or if you know of someone who would be interested,
please let your current officers know: Dean Paul Opel, Sub-Dean Jim Cassarino, or Secretary Marilyn Polson.
John Henzel has become the new organist and Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne, VT.
Vermont Chapter Artist-of-the-Year for 2007-2008 is Karen Miller, who will offer a recital in conjunction
with the Chapter's annual meeting in the late spring at the Stowe Community Church, where she has recently
become organist and Director of Music.
The Christmas season is a beautifully magical but often hectic season for church musicians. Be sure to
offer yourself some rest and relaxation after the 25th and a chance to reflect on all you do for your
congregation and how vital you are in the worship services of your church.
If you know of coming spring musical events to share with our membership, please send them in for
inclusion in the spring newsletters. Other musical news articals and humor are also welcome. As isolated
as church musicians tend to be, there are numerous ways to reach out and make a difference.
Jonathan Cote, Music Director/Organist of St. Mary's Parish in Dover, N.H. is in need of a substitute
for some Christmas masses. He is looking for coverage for Christmas Eve 4 PM, and Christmas Day 9 AM and
11 AM. His e-mail address is jondcote@comcast.net
The First Baptist Church of Burlington, VT is seeking a new Chancel Choir Director (adult). The choir
is an enthusiastic and experienced group of 18 - 22 covering S-A-T-B and rehearses weekly on Thursdays,
7 - 8:30 PM. The choir sings every Sunday from Sept. - mid June and for special services (Christmas Eve,
Maundy Thursday, etc.). The Director would work closely with the organist and Director of Music, Dr.
Suman Summerfield, and other church musical ensembles. The organ is the 1864 E. & G. G. Hook tracker,
restored in 1996. Salary will be negotiated on the basis of education and experience. Contact Marty French,
Music Committee Chair at (802) 863-3014 for more information.
