Music Annual Report 1/31/06 for Saint Philip's

2005 Annual Report – Music at Saint Philip’s

In late November, we welcomed Paul Utgoff as our new music director, and we expressed our deep gratitude to Dick Gregory for his dedicated service in this role for most of 2005. Dick continues his contribution as choir member and as substitute organist/choir director.

Paul provided or facilitated music for a total of six services, including Christmas Eve. The choir sang a total of five anthems. Two of these were accompanied by organ, one was accompanied by piano, and two were unaccompanied (a cappella). Diane Slezek sang a solo song for the Christmas Eve service.

Thank you to our choir members who sang from November 20th (at least) to year’s end: Janet Couch, Dick Gregory, Beverly Ann Howe, Bonnie Katusich, Marge Monat, Liz Pinard, Elizabeth Sites (new in December), Diane Slezek, and Alex Vanderburgh.

Several changes occurred:
•   The 10:00 AM service includes a prepared Prelude and Postlude listed in the bulletin.
•   The choir kindly agreed to a weekly rehearsal, Thursdays 7:15-8:45 PM.
•   The Sunday bulletin includes a `Musical Notes’ entry.

Arrangements were made to tune and service the pipe organ. Both pianos need tuning, which should be done during 2006.

The collection of sheet music anthems is generally old. Though it contains a number of beautiful selections, there are many classics and other favorites that are missing that should be acquired as we move forward.

The choir is very capable, and it is a privilege to be able to work with every one of them to prepare choral offerings that add to our worship. We do have a need for tenors. While we can sometimes invent a way to cover a tenor part, our task would be greatly aided by additional voices in this range. Much of our music collection requires tenor voices, so we need to entice additional volunteers. Of course, we welcome voices in all ranges.

Submitted January 31, 2006 by Paul Utgoff, Music Director