Musical Notes from Robin – January 2021

As we begin the New Year, it is my fervent prayer that 2021 will be the year that sees a return to our proper places in the church.  The choir will be in the choir loft rehearsing for our Sunday services, a Passion Festival, and a Service of Lessons and Carols.  The Handbell Choirs will be ringing the bells, and the congregation will be singing the praises of God. 

          I do want to thank Shaw, Cheryl Brown, Jackson Stone, Arlene Boyd, David Boyd, Jacob Altman, and all the technical personnel for their assistance with the music ministry at Main Street during the COVID Pandemic.  I am so proud of the music that Main Street has been able to provide during 2020.  I will be eternally grateful for all the support from the musicians, my family, my church family, and my friends during my illness, surgery, and recuperation.  I am looking forward to a healthy and, hopefully, a happy new year.

          I do want to share some information that has truly touched both me and Shaw.  In addition to the services at Main Street, Shaw has been posting his solos to Facebook for family and friends.  These posts have been shared, and thousands of people have been able to share in these musical offerings.  The comments have been wonderful; and I am so proud that these messages of inspiration, hope, and encouragement have reached so many people.

          I would like to share two comments from the composers of two of the solos that Shaw has sung.  At the morning worship service on September 27, Shaw sang Craig Courtney’s piece entitled “The Image of God”, accompanied by me and Kristen Slaugenhoupt on the flute. 

Craig Courtney’s comment was:   “My goodness—what a beautiful voice singing my music!”

          On Sunday, November 29—the first Sunday in Advent, Shaw sang Joseph M. Martin’s piece entitled “Prepare!” 

Joseph Martin’s comment was:  “FANTASTIC!  The composer is doing a happy dance in Texas!  Thank you so much!”

          It gives the musicians who are performing compositions an extra feeling of accomplishment and pride to know that the composer is pleased with their performance of his or her work.  Shaw and I never take for granted the support and love shown to us each Sunday by our church family.  It is a privilege to sing and play the music used in Main Street’s worship services…and, especially during this past year, to have been able to still use our talents to praise God through the gift of music.

          May God bless us all in 2021.

          Robin