From Chant to Amy Grant!

Sunday, February 5, in our "To Not Be Silent" class, we will experience how hymnody in the church has changed over the centuries.    We will use the CHALICE HYMNAL as a resource.  in 1995 Disciples welcomed the CHALICE HYMNAL because it includes a great diversity of hymns, songs, and worship resources.  Disciples musician Larry Sivis described this hymnal as including music "From Plainsong to Amy Grant".   Many newer hymns were included  as well as older ones like "Amazing Grace" which had been omitted from the 1970 HYMNBOOK for CHRISTIAN WORSHIP!

We have used the 1995 CHALICE HYMNAL at Vine Street for 17 years!  Many gave funds for purchasing the hymnals.  For a while sixth grade choir children received a copy to take home and others purchased copies for home use.

 In 2003, CHALICE PRAISE, a supplement to the hymnal was published.  It includes more contemporary songs, some written by songwriters we know, like Andra Moran!  This supplement has been especially useful for more contemporary worship settings and with "praise bands."

In 2011 we learned that no more copies of the Disciples's CHALICE HYMNAL will be printed.  As worship styles and settings change, using printed hymnals in the future may be more limited.  The next time you are at Vine Street and singing from the CHALICE HYMNAL, think about the treasure of theology and spiritual nourishment you hold in your hand. 

We hope to see you at 9:30 Sunday as we journey musically from plainsong to Amy Grant!

Coming Soon - Sunday School Classes about Music in the Church!!

A series of 9:30 Sunday morning classes on music in the church has been planned by Jack Wallace and others. "To Not be Silent" is the title of the series and the first class with be January 29 in Houston Hall.  Special guest speaker, David Perkins, of Vanderbilt University will lead the class and also sing "To Be Redeemed", one of his own compositions, in the 10:45 service.

On February 5 I will lead a "hands-on" program on hymnody from chant to ??? using our CHALICE HYMNAL.  The contents of our hymnal demonstrate the wide variety of musical styles influencing hymns and other songs for worship.  Music in the 10:45 service will include the oldest hymn in the CHALICE HYMNAL and special music from our Children's Choir and Chancel Choir.

On February 12, our own Gabe Dixon will be here for interview and class discussion and will sing in worship.  Gabe  is an outstanding example of the importance of involving children and youth in music in the church.  As a child he was very active in singing and accompanying VSCC music and drama productions.   In 1990 he sang the role of Daniel in "It's Cool in the Furnace"! 

Leaders of classes for February 19 and 26 will be announced soon. On those dates we will explore the influence of African-American and Country Music.

I encourage you to invite and bring your friends to VSCC for these exciting series of presentations as we explore church and worship music styles, influences, and cultural relationships. 

2012 Brings National AGO Convention to Nashville!

The Nashville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) will host the National AGO Convention, July 1-6, 2012.  Approximately 225 members in our  local chapter are preparing to welcome @ 2000 organists and choral directors to Nashville from all over the world.  Convention registrants will experience Nashville as a city filled with warm hospitality, excellent pipe organs, outstanding choirs, and events featuring the world class pipe organ and Nashville Symphony at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.   Convention events open to the public will be publicized . 

 Vine Street will not host an official AGO convention program but we do plan to feature our pipe organ with special organ music for worship on July 1 and 8.   Our fine pipe organ was installed by the Schantz Organ Company in 1972 (new console, 1983).   Vine Street's "king of instruments" has a three-manual console and 2,423 real pipes of wood and metal . It  can present  all styles of music for worship services, weddings, funerals, and concerts.  We work regularly to maintain this instrument so that the sound of the pipes can continue to lead us in hymns of faith, provide moments of reflection, accompany our choirs and soloists, and stirs us to rejoice through organ voluntaries and concerts.

An insurance representative has recently estimated replacement value for this instrument at @ $1,118,000!  Those who worked together over 40 years ago to make it possible for Vine Street to have a fine pipe organ  would be so happy to know of its worth and continued usefulness to the church.

I want to walk as a child of the light!

During Advent  each 10:45 service began with a young cantor carrying a candle and leading the procession while singing "I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light!"   They all did a beautiful job and we  thank our cantors: Emily Berhow, Sarah Matthews, Molly Lyons, and Lee Tallent.    We also thank Marcina Clark especially for her leadership of our singing children during Advent.  The Children's Choir participated in worship each Sunday and also presented  "Light of the World", a music drama by Mark Patterson, on December 14. 

We also thank the parents who have made it possible for their children to participate in Christian Education and Choir since September.  Our Sunday morning schedule will resume on January 8.

May each of us continue to "walk as a child of the light" through the Christmas season and into the new year!

Special Christmas Blessings to you,

Julia Callaway

More Christmas Music...

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Vine Street, our worship services will be filled with more Christmas music. On Christmas Eve there will be carols for all to sing and some special music from our "Christmas Eve Quartet" and soloists.  We will also have several instrumentalists including Savannah Lyle, Noelle McIntyre, and Sarah Steeves.    Musical prelude for the 4:00 and 11:00 pm services begin 10 minutes prior to the service.

  On Christmas Day, our 10:45 service will be filled with joyous carols sung by all and several special organ selections with viola.   The Chancel Choir will be off for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  Chancel Choir rehearsals resume with an extra rehearsal on Thursday, January 5, and regular rehearsal on Sunday, January 8 at 9:30 AM .  Children's Choir rehearsals resume on January 8 at 10:00 AM.