by Carolyn Hendel, Consolidation Team Member
As we move into the next chapter of Parkway-Robbinsdale UCC consolidation we wonder what the music program will bring. Music has always been an important part of our church. Dan and Bonnie have been very important leaders in our music program over the last several years. We will miss their leadership as we head into the future.
So, what will happen to the instruments? We have enjoyed the Goetze family grand piano, beautiful pipe organ and the 5 octaves of bells for many years.
The grand piano that has graced our sanctuary with beautiful sound will be moving with us to grace our new sanctuary to continue making beautiful music.
Many hands have made beautiful music on the pipe organ for many years. Robbinsdale’s pipe organ is in the process of being updated. Their organ player checked out our organ and found out that they are able to use some of our sets of pipes in their updated organ. That is great news because we will be bringing some more of our music to our new sanctuary.
We have 5 octaves of Schulmerich handbells and began ringing them almost 50 years ago. We also have 2 octaves of handchimes. All these will be added to the 3 octaves of Malmark handbells and chimes that Robbinsdale has. Think of all the wonderful sounds.
There will be many musical opportunities in our future – choir, band/orchestra, blue-grass band, bell choir, and many others. As we grow, so will the music program.
Music will always be a part of our past, present and future.
On May 19th, (the last regular Sunday of choir), we will honor Bonnie McClain and Dan Ritter, two of our beloved leaders who made so many of our services beautiful and awe-inspiring. Along with their formidable musical talent, they gave us their expertise, leadership, and love. Bonnie joined us in 1994, followed by Dan in 2002. We have enjoyed Dan’s dry humor, Bonnie’s sparkling personality, and the commitment and dedication they each bring for 25 and 17 years!
We have appreciated Sunday services, Christmas, Holy Week and Easter services, Noel at Noon, Matinee Musicales, and special events like Italian Night, Halloween Howls, and the Spring Flings. They have performed for our weddings and funerals, worked collaboratively with other churches, and performed for special events such as the evening for Interfaith Marriage Equality at the Jewish Community Center and a Jazz Mass performance at Mizpah UCC. Each year, the choir has performed a minimum of one major work, and Bonnie has shared her beautiful voice, accompanied by Dan’s stellar playing for special vocal/piano recitals. They have brought in choirs, ensembles, and soloists using their own personal contacts, and have each provided a steady anchor through services led by multiple settled and interim pastors over the years.
At this time, both Bonnie and Dan plan to celebrate with the choir at our last Sunday service on September 8th. Dan also plans to provide an evening or Sunday afternoon ‘last concert’ for us sometime this summer.
Join us for the church service and reception on May 19th, as we celebrate these two beloved friends!
As we move into the next chapter of Parkway-Robbinsdale UCC consolidation we wonder what the music program will bring. Music has always been an important part of our church. Dan and Bonnie have been very important leaders in our music program over the last several years. We will miss their leadership as we head into the future.
So, what will happen to the instruments? We have enjoyed the Goetze family grand piano, beautiful pipe organ and the 5 octaves of bells for many years.
The grand piano that has graced our sanctuary with beautiful sound will be moving with us to grace our new sanctuary to continue making beautiful music.
Many hands have made beautiful music on the pipe organ for many years. Robbinsdale’s pipe organ is in the process of being updated. Their organ player checked out our organ and found out that they are able to use some of our sets of pipes in their updated organ. That is great news because we will be bringing some more of our music to our new sanctuary.
We have 5 octaves of Schulmerich handbells and began ringing them almost 50 years ago. We also have 2 octaves of handchimes. All these will be added to the 3 octaves of Malmark handbells and chimes that Robbinsdale has. Think of all the wonderful sounds.
There will be many musical opportunities in our future – choir, band/orchestra, blue-grass band, bell choir, and many others. As we grow, so will the music program.
Music will always be a part of our past, present and future.
On May 19th, (the last regular Sunday of choir), we will honor Bonnie McClain and Dan Ritter, two of our beloved leaders who made so many of our services beautiful and awe-inspiring. Along with their formidable musical talent, they gave us their expertise, leadership, and love. Bonnie joined us in 1994, followed by Dan in 2002. We have enjoyed Dan’s dry humor, Bonnie’s sparkling personality, and the commitment and dedication they each bring for 25 and 17 years!
We have appreciated Sunday services, Christmas, Holy Week and Easter services, Noel at Noon, Matinee Musicales, and special events like Italian Night, Halloween Howls, and the Spring Flings. They have performed for our weddings and funerals, worked collaboratively with other churches, and performed for special events such as the evening for Interfaith Marriage Equality at the Jewish Community Center and a Jazz Mass performance at Mizpah UCC. Each year, the choir has performed a minimum of one major work, and Bonnie has shared her beautiful voice, accompanied by Dan’s stellar playing for special vocal/piano recitals. They have brought in choirs, ensembles, and soloists using their own personal contacts, and have each provided a steady anchor through services led by multiple settled and interim pastors over the years.
At this time, both Bonnie and Dan plan to celebrate with the choir at our last Sunday service on September 8th. Dan also plans to provide an evening or Sunday afternoon ‘last concert’ for us sometime this summer.
Join us for the church service and reception on May 19th, as we celebrate these two beloved friends!
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