2009 Annual Music Report
Emmanuel Church, Newport, RI
Annual Music Report ~ January 31, 2010
The 2009 year in music at Emmanuel has been a very active one with much that has needed to be done pushed forward to one degree or another. First, referencing the physical plant, I invite Emmanuel members to visit the choir room, music library, organ chamber areas on each side of the chancel and the console, to view improvements that have been implemented this past year. Some of these things may be viewed in photos on the web pages.
Our Choir Room was reinstated, cleaned-up and a beautification process begun. When I came in November, 2008, there was nothing in the room except for a few robes and the entire basement area had the dingy smell of an old musty basement. Furniture, chairs, shelves and bookcases, music files, which had been moved into the gymnasium, were all set up in the room to make it a working rehearsal space once more. Various donations of time and sundry items were made by choir members. I brought in a used computer and Canon copier, stand lights were set up, a DVD player was given by Ellen Vadney, (we need a good television and stand now), and the room filled with plants in lieu of trying to purchase an expensive electronic air purifier. I thank everyone for the many plant donations, which have helped beautify the room and clean the air. As example, when I came in Friday morning, January 22, the room had the clean aroma of a springtime greenhouse and the plants are flourishing well in their bright new home.
Maris Humphreys has been working on the music library organization, with some valuable, former assistance from Katherine Bettinghaus and Charles Cowan, who sadly moved to the Chicago area January 2nd (we are missing them) and work to keep the library updated and filed away is an on-going task.
Margery Cousins has been working to inventory and clean the choir vestments and to get them all relocated to the choir vestment hanging area in the choir room. Margery also outfitted a set of cathedral tea towels I had, into mini-banners to hang on our choir room walls, (see photos on the Choir Room page).
The Tuesday group graciously donated funding to provide new curtains for the choir room and these have been purchased. We hope to have the former pull down shades and new curtains hung soon. It all only takes time.
Illumination enhancements for the chancel choir stalls at Christmas and a few other light bulb changes b brightened the chancel murals around and behind the reredos, as well as the organ facades. The visible pipe facades themselves are in need of a good cleaning and repainting and since these are non-speaking pipes, this would be a good work project to take on in the summer months. Imagine a new look of gleaming gold pipes flanking Emmanuel’s beautiful chancel. A few folks with wash buckets, sponges and some spray paint and we’re done - Work detail anyone?
Pipe organ work: Servicing of Emmanuel’s grand, 34 rank (pipe sets) pipe organ is on-going; Much needed chamber lighting enhancements were made to make service and tuning more efficient. This was started in the chambers in March and finished later in the year, including the relocation of the choir chamber lights ‘on-off’ switch to where it can now be reached easily. With the improved lighting, two major tunings, one in March and the second in October, with two minor touch-ups and a myriad of miscellaneous repairs each trip, the organ has been kept as ship-shape as possible for the moment. More money was spent in this regard than in quite some time in the past perhaps; however, many have noticed the solidity of sound this work has created toward the end benefit of supporting our choral and congregational singing each week. Not only have many parishioners heard the difference, a number of other people, from previous organists, to some visiting from Providence and the U.K., have all had positive things to say regarding the organ’s ensemble sound and tuning. We will want to continue this work as the Parker funds permit, bearing in mind that this gift is to be continually managed with utmost care. I anticipate that some much needed pipe refurbishment, to renew their tuning stability, can be undertaken and completed before this August when Emmanuel will host RSCM.
RSCM ~ Royal School of Church Music: Emmanuel Church reinstated its association with the RSCM in May 2009 and last August, I was afforded the opportunity and privilege to experience first hand, the RSCM King’s College Course in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There, I made new friendships and renewed old ones, surprisingly seeing people I’d not seen in years. The week-long course of rehearsals, singing, Evensongs, Compline and Eucharist celebrations, all involving much music with choristers and their mentors from all over the country was a major catalyst for me toward beginning RSCM preparations in anticipation of restarting a chorister program for Emmanuel Church when I returned. The desire to enlist participation in the worship and growth of our younger members is something for which I am committed deeply: the choral traditions of the Episcopal Church at large and Emmanuel’s choral tradition, provide the impetus toward fostering this ministry work and to that end, I am pleased there will be a national RSCM Course for the first time in here Newport.
RSCM Course to be held in Newport: This August, Emmanuel will be the host church for a national summer RSCM course, August 2nd through the 8th. Housing and Headquarters will be at Salve Regina University and a major Evensong and the closing Eucharist will be held at Emmanuel. Singing activities, rehearsing, music classes, beach day and many more events will be held all week longs and another Evensong will be held at Trinity, as well. We expect a chorus of 100 or more, (75 choristers and 25 adults), which should present a glorious sound in praise of the Lord. Please watch for the details in our ‘E’ pistle and web pages. Information will be forth coming soon.
Emmanuel’s Web Site Music Pages: Postings of music material and related information, even sound files, on Emmanuel’s web site pages are on-going. Editing the web pages keeps things fresh and anything can be changed easily, as needed. Please pass along comments and suggestions, especially when one sees something that might look better another way on our Emmanuel Music Pages. It is good to see that all pertinent church information about worship, EDS, the church staff, music and travel directions, is an easy a few clicks right off the main (Home) page. The easier it is for Newport visitors to find Emmanuel, the more our outreach will serve the Newport community at large.
Resident Cellist: In September, Emmanuel Church was contacted by cellist, Morgan Santos. Ms. Santos, a graduate of R.I.C., was looking for teaching space in Newport in exchange for playing regularly at our Sunday morning services. By the work of the Holy Spirit, I was the first to reply to her request and ever since, Morgan has been a strong, vital and integral part of our music program. In addition, to playing Sundays, she is here Friday afternoons to help with choir and soon, will be starting a sight singing class on Wednesdays this winter, (Please watch for more detail). Her creative ideas continue to spur our music program and I thank Morgan for her energy and faithful service.
2009, EMAS (the Emmanuel Music and Arts Series) was not active to host any outreach concerts per se and it will be seeking new direction in 2010 as it hosts, The City Singers of Hartford in a concert of Celtic sacred music accompanied by the folk group Wild Notes, (see EMAS music page). A reception will follow in the library and nave.
Emmanuel’s Parish Choir and Choristers: Last but NOT least are what our music program is all about; the fostering and mentoring of the choir and choristers in faith and service to the Lord, Jesus Christ within the life of the church. The Emmanuel Choir is a faith-full and filled group, which has fun together and is growing continually in musical skill. Numbering between 7 and 15, we average about 10 each week. We continue to seek new members, (have an ad on ChoralNet.org), to enjoy the mission of singing and leading our worship together and we welcomed several new members this fall. An anonymous donor has also come forth to support the hiring of the tenor for the choir, if we can locate one. Your prayers of support are always needed for all good things in their work and I ask that you encourage them and ask others to join with them in singing. We continue to rehearse Friday afternoons 4:30 to 6:30. The time shifted earlier this past fall and although I acknowledge 4:30 is difficult for some and Friday, not a good day for others, the time & day do make for a very compact and efficient use of time to prepare for Sunday morning. Choristers, the name for our youth singers started in October, but has been very slow at best. I know of many choirs that started with just one or two children and the challenge is always competing with other activities and schedules. However, the long term benefits remain noble and constant and I continue to look for ways to work with parents to make this happen for Emmanuel. Parents, please note the RSCM Summer course – August 2 through 8 - on your schedules for potential course attendance and especially, attending the special musical services.
Respectfully submitted, faithfully in the Name of Christ,
Allen J. Hill
Director of Music
