sanctuary choir
Notes from Mark Belloto, Choir Director
Hello friends, In the mist of our Lenten season I am writing to let all of you know about a wonderful cantata that our choir w i l l be performing on Good Friday – April 22, 2011. It is entitled, “Harvest of Sorrows” and was written by Joseph M. Martin. This work depicts the story of the “Passion Week” with six moving choral numbers: Testament of Tears, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, Call to Remembrance, Winds Through the Olive Trees, In Love Christ Came Among Us and The Final Tear. The very first piece sets the mood with a musical motive that is meant to represent the tears of Christ. The subsequent numbers take us through the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden and the Crucifixion on Calvary. As usual Joseph Martin sets the story to music with great skill. The music is very accessible without being overly sentimental. I know that everyone who attends is in for a moving experience.
As I shared with you in my last update, I am always looking for new choral literature for our choir. In the past month, we’ve added five new titles to our library including the stirring Behold the Lamb that was written by Dottie Rambo and arranged by Lloyd Larson which the congregation seemed to thoroughly enjoy on April 3, 2011. Other titles include: An Easter Celebration, He Loved Them to the End, I have Seen the Lord and a Palm Sunday anthem entitled, The King of Glory. I continue to try to find the very best in contemporary music that not only our choir, but our congregation as well will enjoy. I should also add that I am so very grateful to our newest choir members: Ellen Longino, Patsy Kovach and Ken Knox who have become regular Chancel Choir members joining us each Wednesday evening and Sunday morning for singing our Praises to the Lord.
The last time I wrote to you, we had just begun the process of reigniting interest in our Children’s Choir. To this end, we now have a small faithful following of anywhere between two to six children who regularly attend our Sunday afternoon rehearsals. I continue to make use of the materials from Helen Kemp’s, Of Primary Importance Parts 1 & 2 which is one of the finest texts and collections of sacred literature for children that is currently available. In addition, Patricia Mosley and I are actively working to separate additional children’s repertoire from our regular library and set them aside with titles from, Of Primary Importance. Parents who are interested in having their child participate in this youth ensemble should contact me personally here at the Church. Likewise, if there are any adults who might be interested in ringing bells with the Chancel Bell Choir, they too should make an appointment to speak with me.
With Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church now approaching the second anniversary of the installation of our new Rodgers Allegiant Model 778 Three Manual Organ Console I am convinced that we continue to move forward in a positive and worshipful direction. I remain confident that with your prayerful and active support, we will meet and exceed all of our goals.
In His Service,
Mark Belloto, CAGO mbelloto@lrumc.com