Noteworthy by Jon-Philip Olson, Director of Music and Worship Arts
Have you considered being in a choir at Grace? Handbells? Singing? A quartet? Next year (that’s only 82 days, 23 hours and 12 minutes as of this writing!) it would be so wonderful to expand the music ensembles at Grace, either by adding quartets and small choirs or increasing the membership of current ensembles.
Here are some popular myths dispelled about music participation at Grace:
• I have to be there every Sunday and Wednesday. No, in fact there are many choir members that travel, are snow birds, or that cannot commit to every Sunday and every Wednesday. We rehearse in advance so that you might learn the music and skip a rehearsal.
• I have to read music. No, but it does help. Iowa has one of the best school music programs in the nation. I have yet to have an adult or youth that did not understand basic music notation. You do have to count!
• The choir is “professional” and too good for me to be in it. The root word of amateur is “to love.” People are in choirs because they love it and love serving God with their talents and gifts. The only paid professionals are the music staff. While we have several bona fide music degree holding musicians in the choir, not one of those make their sole living performing or teaching music. Everyone is a volunteer!
• I have to sit with the choir in the chancel. Again, no. We just have no one in choir at the moment that chooses to sit in the congregation until time to sing.
• There is no child care on Wednesday nights. Currently, no because no one needs it. If there was even one person who needed it, it would be supplied.
• Rehearsals are so boring. Jon, Josh, and Becky have joke files to exercise your breathing muscles when you are not singing. Yes, you will leave rehearsal with your sides hurting.
If you are interested in any choir, or a new ensemble, let Jon, Josh, or Becky know and we will certainly welcome you!