Music at Cedar Lane

Introduction

The music program of a church is an essential element in building and sustaining a church community, both through the music, which is an integral part of worship, and in the involvement of the members of that community, including children and youth, in all aspects of the program. We invite you to explore the many opportunities available in the musical life of Cedar Lane.

There is a long-standing tradition of excellence in music at Cedar Lane. The congregation has always expected and supported a program which seeks to enhance the life of the church with music of a consistently high caliber. A large adult choir with some professional singers presents a varied repertoire of choral music at worship services. Along  with the junior, youth and bell choirs all ages are offered excellent opportunities to learn about singing, music, and the role music plays in worship.  Our newest adult group, Gruppo Piccolo (Italian for "small group"), is  a small vocal ensemble, which generally performs "a capella" with no more than three singers on a part.

In March of 1985, a contract was signed with Cannarsa Organs for the construction of a 51-rank, four-manual pipe organ, at that time the largest instrument in Montgomery County. The installation was completed in the fall of 1987, and was celebrated by a year-long festival which included special services and an organ recital series.

In December 2000, an overwhelmingly successful campaign was launched to fund an extensive renovation of the organ. Improvements included refurbishment of the console and a complete update of the keying system which provided for an expanded stop list and MIDI capability, as well as the addition of a number of new digital voices from the Walker Technical Company. More digital voices were added in 2007.  The resulting instrument is one of the finest in the Washington, DC area.

In the summer of 2008 our long-time Director of Music Ministries, Dr. Richard M. Darne, retired after 40 years of service. Our choir director and Assistant Director of Music, Mary Z. Darne, retired as well after working in concert with her husband for many years to provide the outstanding music program integral to the worship experience here at Cedar Lane.

We have hired our Interim Director of Music, Dr. Henry Sgrecci, hsgrecci@cedarlane.org, to stay on with us as our Director of Music. We are pleased to have our Organist, Thom Guthrie, tguthrie@cedarlane.org.

Learn more about Henry Sgrecci.

Rehearsal Schedules

       Adult Choir             Wednesday, 7:30-9:45 p.m. (August - May)

Children's Choir     Thursday, 6 - 6:30 p.m. (September - April)
                                 
Youth Choir          Thursday, 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. (September - April)

Youth Bell Choir    Thursday, 7:15 - 8 p.m. (September - April)

Bell Canto of          Thursday, 8 - 9:15 p.m. (September - April)
Cedar Lane

Summer Choir       Sunday - June & July - 9:15 a.m. (Adults and Youth)   

Notes from the Director of Music

The Benefit Concert is fast approaching:  7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2012!

Preparations are well underway for our third annual CLUUC benefit concert. Henry Sgrecci is bringing together some of the area’s finest brass players to offer a virtual tour of the finest in brass repertoire. You will be treated to the regal music of Henry Purcell and the antiphonal choirs of Giovanni Gabrieli. There will be pop tunes and marches, topped off with an appearance by the CLUUC Choir singing Mack Wilberg’s Anthem of Peace. Admission is free but all donations with benefit "Rebuilding Together Montgomery County." Save the date, tell your friends, and come early for a great seat to the best concert of the year. See you there!

JPD Worship Arts Festival takes place at Rockville UUC on Feb. 24 & 25, 2012. Anyone who serves CLUUC worship services in any capacity will find this workshop helpful. Whether it is to learn more about your singing voice, explore meditation through drumming, or singing, learn new ways to engage all ages during services, or studying the acoustics of our worship space, there is something for almost everyone in this workshop. For information visit the jpd website - keywords: "JPD worship arts festival"

Feb. 5 - The music will be bountiful as the CLUUC Choir welcomes its counterparts from Paint Branch UUC. Under the direction David Chapman, Director of the Paint Branch UUC Choir, and Dr. Henry Sgrecci, the two choirs will sing en masse throughout the services. Selections will include Clif Hardin’s We Will Walk Together, Jim Scott’s Come Into This Place, Little Elegy by Stephen Paulus, and There Will Be Rest by Frank Ticheli.

Feb. 12 - The Choir will be singing at Paint Branch UUC on this morning. Barbara Wing will provide solo piano selections throughout the morning’s services.

Feb. 19 - Our Children’s, Youth, and Youth Handbell Choirs will lead the musical support of this service. The Whatever Four Quartet makes a cameo appearance to sing the Anthem.

Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4099
Tel: 301-493-8300    Fax: 301-897-5713
e-mail: office@CedarLane.org
Sunday Services at 9 and 11 a.m.
© 1998-2012, Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
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