MUSIC AT EPIPHANY and PROGRAMS
CALLED TO SERVE IN FAITH
…Opportunities at Epiphany through the musical arts
GREETINGS from the Music Director at Epiphany Church, Elmhurst. It is with great enthusiasm that I would like to call your attention to the many opportunities in which to serve and grow in faith through the music programs that have been established and continue to evolve. I trust that many of you will feel "called to serve in faith" in some capacity as is permitted by our busy lifestyles.
Yours in faith,
John Tanis, Music Director at Epiphany
EPIPHANY CHOIR …. called to serve regularly this year at the 9:15 Sunday services and also special festival services, the "backbone" of our music program will begin an experiment in a new paradigm. Our usual rehearsal schedule has always been on Wednesday evenings each week. WE ARE NOW GOING to change that which we hope will allow those in the congregation who would like to be a part of this ensemble an opportunity to participate:
EACH MONTH we will meet on the FIRST WEDNESDAY of each month for Dinner potluck (at 6:30) and then a "mega" rehearsal until approximately 9:30 p.m. THEN, on Sunday mornings, we will meet for a "warm-up/rehearsal" (coffee, juice, breakfast goodies provided) at 8:30 a.m. in preparation for the 9:15 service that morning. Special Sundays where we will be ALSO at the 10:45 service providing music will be Reformation Sunday (October 29th), All Saints Sunday (November 5th), as well as being participants in the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service on Sunday, December 24th. A Christmas Concert tour is schedules for Sunday, December 10th via chartered bus to Milwaukee and back along with the Elmhurst Area Children's Choir. Our FIRST "mega" rehearsal will take place on Wednesday evening, September 6th with John providing the first "potluck" beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. Bring your appetites for gastronomy (he's just returned from Paris- again!!!) and musical appetite as well.
BELL CHOIR . . . under the direction of Assistant Greg Zelman will continue to meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. This ensemble is open to anyone from middle school to senior citizens with some knowledge of reading music and rhythm. They provide special preludes and postludes, when ready, at our 9:15 and 10:45 Sunday services, as well as special services such as Christmas Eve and Easter. For more information please call Greg (630.832.8457 ext. 17).
SPECIAL MUSIC VOLUNTEERS . . . are always welcome to provide special music at our Sunday and special services throughout the year. These "volunteers" can be instrumental or vocal soloists who wish to share their faith in song and very definitely enhance our worship experience here at Epiphany. To volunteer, please call John at 312.388.7790 or see him on Sunday mornings at the organ console between services.
FLUTE CHOIR . . . meets regularly on Sundays after the 10:45 service and provides music every FOURTH Sunday of the month (usually at both the 9:15 and 10:45 services) On those fourth Sundays we do not rehearse. We also provide music for special services such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Easter. Our group has usually been a quartet BUT we would love to see anyone who has had at least 2 years of flute training/experience to become a member. Please contact Aneila Peronto (aperonto@comcast.net) or John Tanis if interested or for more information.
PSALM 96 CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE is a group of middle school/high school youth who assist with leading the Praise songs at the beginning of our 9:15 Sunday worship services. Due to the style of music we are presenting, we not only need singers, but would LOVE to see drummers, keyboard players, guitarists, as well as other instrumentalists (in the past we have had trumpet and saxophone, so there is no limit to the instrumentation utilized) WE REHEARSE on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 7:30 p.m., and will begin on September 6th to resume leadership of our praise music- featuring some original praise songs by John as well as some lesser-known but worthy praise music by the likes of Amy Grant, Todd Moen, Michael J. Smith, and Curtis Chapman, to name a few.
MUSIC STUDIO, under the tutelage of John Tanis, is for those wishing to study privately or in a group setting on a regular weekly basis, time slot and day (usually a Tuesday late afternoon/evening or Sunday afternoon) that is compatible for the participant to be scheduled. Lessons are offered in voice, piano (keyboard/organ also) and guitar. Lessons begin on Tuesday, September 5th and are usually 30 minute time slots. YOU MUST CALL JOHN TO SCHEDULE A TIME SLOT. (A fee is involved that includes instruction and materials.) John will be offering two group guitar classes, one beginner the other intermediate. He would also like you to know that we have procured FIVE guitars for use by interested persons on which to practice throughout the week at home. Throughout the year there are generally TWO "salon" type recitals where students are given an opportunity to perform repertoire that has been studied- one in December, and one in May. Lessons take place here at Epiphany from September through May. Call John at 630.832.8457 ext. 17 for information or to get a time slot.
ELMHURST AREA CHILDREN'S CHOIR is now beginning its FOURTH season of concert-giving. Each year has offered unique musical experiences for children, not only members of Epiphany, but for children in the general vicinity of Elmhurst as well. The flexible rehearsal schedule allows children to come once a week either on Wednesdays or Sundays, although coming twice a week is not discouraged. Each rehearsal period culminates in a concert "experience" usually performed right here at Epiphany, and sometimes on a concert tour via chartered bus. FOR CHILDREN AGES FIVE and up, this year's ensembles will be:
Boys Choir- meeting on Wednesdays from 5-6
p.m. OR Sundays from 1 -2 p.m.
Girls Choir- meeting on Wednesdays from 6 –
7 p.m. OR Sundays from 2-3 p.m.
This year there are THREE concert experiences:
1. Fall Season - September 10 to November 5
2. Holiday Season - November 8 to December 10
3. Winter/Spring Season - February to early May
Our fall season concert will be
. . . Of sand and sawdust . . . .
THE GHOSTS OF SINGAPORE
An original operetta based on a real lumbering town now buried under the sand dunes just north of Saugatuck, Michigan. This will premiere on Sunday evening, November 5th. Rehearsals begin on Sunday afternoon. Incorporated into this season will be a trip to Saugatuck to visit some of the buildings that were moved from the site, hike near the area where the town was located, and possibly meet with some of the town's surviving ancestors. Please notify John via phone at Epiphany (630.832.8457 ext. 17) or pre-register at our website: epiphanyelmhurst.org.
ALPHA AND OMEGA SACRED DANCE ensemble, under the direction of Bobbi Carson, offers their presentations at Sunday morning worship services. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday afternoon’s beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the church. Under Bobbi's direction, the young ensemble experiences a wide range of sacred music with which to move to, along with colorful costumes and props to enhance their presentations. For more information call Bobbi at (630.832.8457 ext. 17)
MUSIC APPRENTICE PROGRAM . . . in an effort to encourage young musicians to serve and utilize their musical talents in a church setting Epiphany's Music Apprentice program offers monthly stipends to qualified candidates of high school age and older to assist John with the Music ensembles from September through May. A particular emphasis this year will be offered "vocalists" to assist regularly with the Epiphany Choir whose schedule of participation was listed previously here. If interested, please contact John at 630.832.8457 ext. 17 soon. There are several openings still available.