Changes are afoot in my universe as new musical opportunities present themselves!
After a year of service at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho as the part-time Interim Music Director, it is time for me to step aside as we welcome the new full-time music director. Today was full of joy and diversity of music!
The musicians for my final worship at Covenant Presbyterian: L-R Alex Chamberlain (drums); Steve Kuykendall (piano); Mike Boyle (bass), Greg Janos (mandocello); Steven Downer (electric guitar); moi-mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, acoustic guitar and dulci-bro.
with Steve Kuykendall, the new full-time music director for Covenant.
with Jack Harriff, our regular organist.
It has been both my challenge and my joy to organize worship that made abundant use of these gifs, as well as the vocal choir and several other congregational musicians (singers, flute, trumpet, french horn and cello) for the past year.
Now, it is time for a new opportunity which I have accepted!
My spouse is pastor of King of Glory Lutheran, right around the corner from Covenant Presbyterian and they have been without a music director for over a year. They thought they had found a suitable candidate but then that situation did not pan out so they re-opened their search. I interviewed, was offered the position and accepted it this week, to begin on October 1st.
I see my task primarily in the same way as I did at Covenant, to learn what the musical gifts, experience and willingness of people to be involved after the pandemic and to nurture, encourage and equip them to share their gifts. And I can't wait!
Now to the exciting event that many of us have our sights set on:
This is also the Final Week to register for this terrific festival. This time there are about 70 instructors and a LOT of workshops still have room for YOU.
I encourage my students to register for workshops from:
Instructors they've NEVER had before!
A topic that hasn't been at the top of their list but sounds interesting.
A skill level that is just beyond their comfort level.
A skill level that might seem too basic and use it as a review.
Maybe take a workshop on an instrument you DON'T play and see how that can teach you about one that you DO play...
Finally, Congratulations to the Winners in the National Hammered and Mountain Dulcimer Championships at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas this past weekend.
L-R: Dana Hamilton, TX (2nd); David Wilson, MO (1st); Allison O'Shea, IN (3rd)
Congratulations to Mickey Sweeney who won the Hammered Dulcimer Contest (still waiting to hear about the 2nd and 3rd place winners...
That wraps it up for right now!
Please let me know what is going on in YOUR musical world, and if you haven't already joined us in the new FB group:
The Dulcimer Community--mastering the art of the dulcimer:
