MUSIC AT THE CCW

Music plays an important role in the life of CCW. Both instrumental and choral music are chosen to support and illumine texts for the worship of the day. The music selected for this purpose ranges from ancient chant to contemporary gospel and folk. It makes use of instruments from different periods and from different parts of the world.

Music at CCW is truly a "joyful noise" unto the Lord! In addition to our wonderful organ and organist, the church has a choir of about 15 members made up of singers of all ages and varying amounts of experience. The choir performs a wide range of challenging music with a minimum of rehearsal. It tries to remember its important role in the ministry of music while maintaining its sense of humor and cultivating the pure pleasure of music making. If that sounds like something you would like, come and join us. 

From the Choir Director

OUR JUBILEE YEAR IN MUSIC
Celebratory years always pose a challenge to artists, especially when there are on-going celebrations. The slew of questions, “Which is the ‘most important’ date? How does that affect what is done on the ‘other’ dates? Is this on-going celebration sustainable? Will something more ‘muted’ appear ‘less’ than the more ‘flamboyant?” always baffle, and sometimes immobilize the creative juices.

Personally, I found it more challenging balancing the part of me that is committed to a repertoire that reflects a world-view with the practical musician, especially when much of the “Celebration” repertoire found in other cultures is fairly timeplace- event specific. In order to achieve balance, within myself, I came to this decision: the Introits will represent World Music repertoire – keeping us connected to the greater one-ness as we celebrate our specific anniversary while our Anthems will keep the thread of joyful thanksgiving and the excitement
found within celebration.

In music, emotion can be conveyed through the text, the notes, and, more subtly regardless of text and note, through the experiences found within its creation – the sorrow felt in a composition honoring a departed loved one, the jubilation in a composition celebrating a new birth, the ambivalence in one created while the composer was in the midst of the throes of new love. Bearing this in mind, in the instances where the text might appear to be in opposition to the scripture or the sermon, I invite you to give your mind a vacation, listen with your soul, and experience another dimension of musical celebration. I hope to share random thoughts that influenced my choices.

9/13 Haleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona
South African Freedom Song
Haleluya! We sing your praises
All our hearts are filled with gladness
Ride the Chariot
Negro Spiritual

Imagine the surprise, wonder and awe afforded to those riding upon such powerful beasts. Brought from a land where heavy loads were carried in baskets atop the head, (or given to one’s children), the sight of a man astride a horse would have been terrifying, in a god-like-sorta way. To then attach a fancy carriage would have been an experience beyond their wildest dreams. Ride! If there was ever a word to galvanize a weary one, t’would be it.
Ride – a chariot, Ride – a Cadillac, Ride - a Mercedes
Ride – a cloud, Ride!

Are you ready, my brother? My Sister?
It’s interesting, to me, that at the beginning we are “getting ready for the judgment day” (which, in itself, doesn’t carry any feelings of fear, rather an acceptance that one will be held accountable for
each action and decision made AND, for those who know they have been unfairly treated, judgment day allows for a balancing of the scales) until a lifechanging, miry-feet plucking experience shifts our focus from daily anticipation to one of joyous reconciliation,
I’m gonna ride in the chariot to see my Lord!

9/20 Shalom Chaverim
Hebrew Blessing
Love In Any Language
Contemporary Gospel

9/27 As Water to the Thirsty
American Hymn Tune
Be Thou My Vision
Hymn Tune

May our musical journey, this year, bring us, poco a
poco, to hidden places of joy.
Namaste
Sam Martinborough

The choir is always looking for new members, musicians willing to play, and soloists.

We ocasionally have special instrumental music.