Music is an essential and uplifting part of every year – some news from 2022 includes:

Hal and Friends

We are blessed to have a Music Director such as Hal Parker. A gifted vocalist, he shifts from piano to harpsichord to organ, and even treats us to an occasional flute performance. Working closely with Ed, he adapts every musical choice to fit the scripture, sermon, and day. Attending church feels often like attending a musical performance in a concert hall! On the last Sunday of every month, we are also treated to Early Music performed by Hal, Sonia, Gina, and Tom.

Hal, Kyle, and Ed worked tirelessly through the pandemic years, Sunday after Sunday, adapting to online worship without a choir, and giving viewers at home the opportunity to sing along. I wonder how many folks sang aloud as they watched online? Some of us did, annoying those around us! Hal supported our adoption of an additional hymnal this year, one that includes more inclusive lyrics and new pieces to add to the repertoire.

This past year, Hal welcomed many fellow musicians to the altar – Jason with his sax, Cara, Keilah and Mavis with their voices, and Dr. Sharon Hettinger who accompanied Hal in his tribute to Judy Dales, How Can I Keep from Singing? https://youtu.be/N0THpJyeSvg?t=780

Young musicians took to the stage for us as well…The Green Mountain Skillet Lickers on one Sunday, and Ava Purdy another. Do you know any budding musicians who would like to perform in an acoustically-acclaimed space?

About Andrew

Beginning in January, Hal is taking a well-deserved sabbatical, and we are being treated to the musical talents of Andrew Koehler. Andrew lives in Greensboro with his wife, Mavis MacNeil. Born in Chicago, Andrew listened to his grandfather Jim play the piano and by the age of four, Andrew learned to play “by ear”. He knew at some level that music would be his profession and he continued to learn and play throughout high school (where he deepened his Jazz interests), and then on to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. There he met his wife Mavis MacNeil, who performed with Andrew in the orchestra. Their shared affections and musical talents eventually brought them to New York City where they were able to dive into all the gigs possible, across many musical genres, all the while living in Astoria, Queens. Like so many young musicians, COVID drove them away from the metropolis and to the place they knew they would be at some point – Vermont! Here he has worked for Jasper Hill and is currently employed by MacNurse, where he enjoys applying his tech skills, which are not surprisingly related to the skills required to play music! Andrew recently played Handel with his brother-in-law Roy MacNeil.

Welcome Andrew!

Kate Campbell

In July, 2022, we welcomed singer-songwriter Kate Campbell to our church. This was one of Kate’s first live performances since the pandemic, and she shared her talents and emotions freely. Here’s a snip from one of her songs, See Rock City. (short video clip)

Read more about Kate and listen to her music here http://www.katecampbell.com/

Truly, we were given an incredible gift to be her audience.