Music Notes: September 2022

Aug 30, 2022 | Beacon, Music, News

AUUMM Conference

I spent five days in Ann Arbor in mid-July for the annual Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM) conference. I attended my first such conference four years ago in Portland, and learned quite a lot about the role and purpose in music, not only in services but as a unifying force for social justice, spiritual connection and enlightenment. This recent conference – the first held since the pandemic – was inspiring in a different way. Every music director there had stories of how their congregation had pulled together or fallen apart during the pandemic. Most stories were a combination of both; the fallout of not being able to meet in person hit churches particularly hard. Most music directors and ministers I spoke with had been relatively successful in presenting online services, and most are currently doing a cross-platform presentation, much like we are at East Shore.

It was nice – and a little surprising – to hear how many people were aware of East Shore, had seen our services online, and were enthusiastic in their praise about how well we had done in our virtual services. I was also pleased to hear so many churches had utilized videos I’d created – with my permission of course – and how well received they had been.

Over the course of the five days, we had numerous services where music played a key role. Being in the congregation while music ministers Glenn Thomas Rideout and Francisco Ruiz led us in singing was such a privilege, and such a nourishing experience. Being in the middle of the expansive, light-filled beautiful space of First Unitarian of Ann Arbor and feeling the warm, surging energy of the congregation singing all around me was pure joy on emotional, spiritual, and physical levels. I have come back to East Shore reignited, reaffirmed, and with a new appreciation for the kind of work we do, and how my role as music director fits into it. I’ve heard it said that music is the divine made audible. This has been my experience time and time again.

Working with Rev. María Cristina

It was also thrilling to hear so many people say, “You are so lucky to have Rev. María Cristina as your settled minister – she is so wonderful.” Everyone I spoke with who had worked with her or had experienced her ministry bubbled over with joyful praise. And I responded back that my experiences working with her so far have been filled with an exhilarating delight, underlined with a sense of a deep desire for justice, peace and love. I am grateful to be here at East Shore at this incredibly thrilling juncture.

Thank You

Before I say any more I would like to gratefully acknowledge how profoundly moved and inspired I was when the membership came together in support of the music and other programs that looked to be in jeopardy with some of the earlier budgets proposed. The encouragement I felt, the love and strength meant more to me than any words or any music can convey. I deeply love and appreciate the members, staff and Board at East Shore, and it is my commitment to continue to lift up, strengthen, connect and inspire all of us with music that matters. I have a deep desire to elevate music within our community as much as possible. So to that end:

Choir Returns September 1

The East Shore Mighty Choir is resuming in-person rehearsals on Thursday, September 1, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Sanctuary. There is no audition required to join the choir. Reading music is not necessary – although it’s always a useful skill to have. Previous choral experience is also not necessary. My intent is to have a choir by the people, for the people. I want the choir to be very much about us as a living community, not a rarified group of privileged performers who sing at the congregation. So please – if you have ever had any desire to sing, or have ever looked up at the choir during a service and thought, “that looks like so much fun!” then come to a rehearsal any Thursday and see what we’re all about. It’s also not necessary to feel you need to commit to singing every Sunday the choir sings – everyone understands that life often intervenes, and some members will necessarily need to miss some Sundays.

Do You Play a Musical Instrument?

In a similar vein, I’m very interested in hearing from any members who would enjoy playing an instrument during a service. This doesn’t need to be a solo (like the excellent Cailin Kelley who played three marvelous violin solos this August) With our last Music Sunday on May 15, I incorporated the freshly-formed East Shore All Stars who played several jazzy tunes of their own as well as accompanied the choir on several pieces (I had wanted to do Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” for the longest time). There are plenty of opportunities for any who would want to add a flute as a background line, or a guitar/ukulele or hand drums. I will write out these accompanying lines for you and rehearse with you so you feel comfortable with what you would be playing. And speaking of hand drums …

Drum Circle

Several members in the past had asked if we could form a drum circle. We are now ready to begin doing so. This would be a group that would meet once or twice a month, and would play in services when desired and appropriate. We have a small number of hand drums at the church – two congas, a set of bongos and other hand-held rhythm instruments. In order for the drum circle to be successful we’d need more drums. So if you’ve got a djembe at home or an Irish tambor or the like that you’ve been wanting to play – send me a message!

Make A Request

One more invitation I would like to extend is: I would love to hear what songs folks would like to hear in services. These can be hymns from either hymnbook, a popular song, a forgotten standard, a show tune, a song your father wrote – I’m open to all. That said, I can’t guarantee that every request will find its way into a service. But I will say that many songs I’ve presented at East Shore – whether on my own, or with the choir or any number of our fantastic soloists – have been suggested by members. I’m always on the lookout for new, interesting, appealing, meaningful songs to bring to our Sunday celebrations.

For all communication about the above, please send me an email: [email protected]

Thank you all for being part of this family, taking this journey together. I am so excited and inspired to see what this new chapter will bring!

by Eric Lane Barnes, Director of Music