On Sunday, May 2 at 4 p.m. at Colesville UM Church in Silver Spring, the Chancel Choir will join with the choir of Colesville United Methodist Church to present a Gospel Music Concert. Dr. Barbara Baker will direct.

Everyone is invited!

BROWN’S MUSIC MINISTRY

We are fortunate to have a wonderful 40-member Chancel Choir that sings during Sunday worship from September to May. Directed by John Walker assisted by Joseph Kneer, the choir practices on Thursday evenings.

Our Children’s Choir also sings periodically during worship services, as well as at other times. They are directed by Rob Tracy and meet on Wednesday evenings after supper (during the WN@B adult activities).

The Handbell Choir is an important part of our music ministry. Directed by Chrystie Adams, they practice after Sunday worship.

FOR INFORMATION or to participate in any of the musical ensembles, please contact the Minister of Music, John Walker, at 410-523-1542 or john@browndowntown.org.

RECENT EVENTS IN BROWN MEMORIAL’S MINISTRY OF MUSIC

CHOIR PERFORMS “ELIJAH”

The Chancel Choir and our soloists performed Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” under the direction of Minister of Music John Walker on Sunday, May 17, 2009. The renowned Fred Swann was the guest organist.

This performance of the oratorio was, in the words of John Walker and others, a “mountaintop” experience. Certain sections brought members of the 300-person audience to tears.

The soloists—Lydia Beasley, soprano; Diane Schaming, mezzo; James Cox, tenor, and Andrew Sauvageau, baritone, in the title role—were outstanding. The Chancel Choir sang beautifully, making an appropriate “ruckus” when calling on Baal, and achieving tender sonority in “Cast thy Burden [Upon the Lord].”

At the beginning of the concert, the Chancel Choir presented John Walker with a white floral arrangement and thanked him for the opportunity to sing this extraordinary work.

For a full account of the concert—or to purchase the professionally recorded CD, click on the “Tiffany Series” link on the left.

BACH CANTATA CENTERPIECE OF SERVICE

J.S. Bach’s Cantata BWV 106 (“Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit” [God’s time is the very best of times]) anchored a moving All Saints’ Day worship service on Sunday, November 2, 2008.

The Chancel Choir and soloists Lydia Beasley, soprano; Diane Schaming, mezzo; James Cox, tenor; and Andrew Sauvageau, baritone, did a wonderful job in this gorgeous early cantata, also known as Actus Tragicus, and probably composed for the funeral of an uncle.

The singers were joined by musicians Andrew Broadwater and Helen-Jean Talbott, recorders; Jeffrey Grabelle and Daniel Rippe, viole da gamba; Zane Baker, cello; John Armato, theorbo; and Bozena Jedrzejczak Brown, harpsicord.

To listen to the entire November 2nd service, go to the Home page, and click on Sermons.

We Three Kings