 Image by Jenny Friedrichs from Pixabay Last Sunday in worship, the Chancel Choir offered the anthem "I Believe" by Mark Miller. The text is an excerpt from an anonymous Jewish poem found scrawled on a cellar wall in Germany near the end of World War II. The music beautifully expresses the author's unwavering faith and radical hope even in the most uncertain of times. I selected this piece in light of our stewardship focus this month and the message that faith and hope can lead us as a church into greater abundance. We just have to listen intently to that still voice within. And believe. And these words became an even more poignant prayer with the tragic events unfolding in Israel and Gaza this week. Below is the full text by this unnamed author who over 75 years ago expressed his or her faith and dreams of hope under the most dire of conditions. May it inspire and remind us that God is always there. I believe in the sun even when it is not shining.  Image by Reiner Knudsen from Pixabay It has been wonderful to see so many of you participate in Plymouth's music ministry this summer, thank you! From the Summer Choir outings (last one on August 20....come join us!) to musicians offering their talents on the occasional Sunday morning to the pop-up "eclectic service" appearances once a month (i.e. the 9:00 a.m. service worship style), the vibrancy has been yet another welcome sign of our emergence from COVID stasis to abundant life.
Shall we continue this trend into the next program year? We surely can with your interest and participation! If you have even the slightest curiosity in supporting Plymouth's musical worship life, I encourage you to consider participating in the Chancel Choir or Plymouth Ringers this year. We are a merry band who enjoy each other's company and the joy of making music together. We would love to have you with us! New routines are hard to begin understandably, especially in today's often busy multifaceted lifestyle. I find namely two reasons though why some folks are hesitant to participate when they would like to consider doing so. These reasons are:
I can assure you if you wish to sing or ring this year, we can make it happen. We would love for you to be with our merry band in whatever capacity you are able. Feel free to speak with me with your interest or questions after worship or contact me via the contact form or by phone at (970) 482-9212 ext. 116. Ensemble rehearsals this fall begin on Wednesday, September 6. Plymouth Ringers rehearse in the Forum Room from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. The Chancel Choir meets in the sanctuary from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. I hope you will consider taking part in Plymouth's music ministry this year. As you can see, I promise we will make it very easy for you to join in! Let's continue the vital musical and worshipful expressions of voice and instrumental timbres for years to come. Together. Mark  Image by Aurélien from Pixabay "I am a DJ. I am what I play" - from the David Bowie song "D.J." (1979) I found myself musing recently about the role of music in worship. It's a nearly moot internal discussion at this point for me, as my body has been essentially hijacked to show up at a church on Sunday morning and play music. Conduct. Something. This benign captivity began at the young age of 10 years old and is clearly not going to end until I do. Being a church musician and music director is in my blood, as they say, and it's terminal. I have no qualms about this self-diagnosis, by the way. But the initial question is still one worth exploring: what is the role of music in worship?
Music seems like a very natural choice in a gathering where the sublime aspects of our humanity — our connection with the Divine — are enticed to rise to the surface. The diverse unspoken language of music can offer us a glimpse into this mystical space. At the very least, it can be a visceral prayer without words. Different vibrations can unlock a whole world of experience in listeners, not as aural entertainment but embodied joy, love, peace, prayerfulness, sorrow, and a myriad other affects that are part of the Jesus story and God's wonder of creation. Sometimes we are not prepared to hear those frequencies, for whatever reason, but what binds all those sonorities emitted in our Beloved Community will always be intent. The questions I ask myself when programming music for worship include: Does the music accentuate and complement the minister's message and scripture reading in an empowering and nuanced way? Does the affect of the music serve the Spirit in the same fashion? For example, on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, does not the Passion of Christ necessitate an affect of solemnity and introspection as we retrace Jesus' steps through those agonizing last days of his ministry? On Easter Sunday, the joy and triumph of resurrection can be expressed in outwardly jubilant declarations of brass and organ of course. But how about also the assured bliss of life eternal within — a quiet joy? Music plays an influential role in providing nonverbal commentary to liturgical proceedings. With the diversity of available compositions from many eras and cultures (and also in the moment improvisations!), Christian worship can be a place where we are privy to spiritual expressions from composers across time and space. It is a wonder. On the surface it may appear a church music director is some manner of ecclesiastical disc jockey of sorts. Playing the hits. Spinning our own personal faves. Get that floor thumping. Keep everyone happy and dancing! For me, a more accurate analogy is the field of film scoring. Live film scoring, that is. The story of a film dictates the music's purpose, ebbing and flowing with the drama and events on the screen. We can be moved to joy, encouraged to hope, experience truth, and even driven to tears. At any given worship service, we are comforted and also challenged by God's voice in word, song, and music within a diverse range of expressions. It is how we grow and mature as followers of Christ. The spiritual life is like that, isn't it? May the blessings of worship in sound and vision help shape us for years to come. Mark  Image by KBCH from Pixabay Perhaps no other time in the liturgical year demonstrates the truly sacred dimensions of music in worship as in the sequence of services from Holy Week through Easter Sunday. The meditative spirit of Lent reaches its conclusion in the drama, even pathos, of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in remembrance of Jesus' last tragic days of his world-changing ministry. And then Easter Sunday— a burst of joy (boisterous and quiet expressions alike!) celebrating the assured victory of life over death. Green blade rising. Music for every occasion. A spiritual tool to bring us closer to the divine. Truly a remarkable gift to the world this "ordered sound." I offer these inspired words from the closing paragraph of the wonderful book "A Song to Sing, A Life to Live" by Don and Emily Saliers: Listen, and sing... Begin with the music you already cherish but live with openness to the possibility that in the coming years music you have not yet heard will lead you more deeply into the mystery at the heart of all that is... May music be a wellspring from which you will drink courage and joy. Mark Mark Heiskanen, Dir. of Music/Organist  Image by Gerhard from Pixabay For some, the week before Lent can be crunch time to narrow down the thing they will give up in this upcoming penitential season. A small sacrifice (or large one, if you're feeling particularly masochistic this year!) to experience the withdrawal of an earthly pleasure in hopes of attaining a greater focus on the spiritual. This forty-day respite from one's personal emotional crutches could be characterized, albeit dramatically, as a "farewell to the flesh."
But is it really necessary in order to find the desired equilibrium between the earthly and spiritual? True confessions, I've never been very good at this one! But the Lenten invitation to introspection and meditation in reference to Jesus' forty-day journey in the wilderness I've always found to be a cherished spiritual practice. I hope you accept this invitation as well. In worship life, we hear and see visceral and intentional variations to our services. Chancel paraments along with the minister and choir's stoles take on a purple hue reflecting the age old custom of liturgical church tradition. The music becomes a bit more introspective to encourage a more prayerful and meditative inner life. Our modern day journey culminates in the solemnity of Holy Week: the agape meal we share on Maundy Thursday to the Good Friday Musical Meditation and Prayer. A time of remembrance and reflection. I look forward to walking this Lenten journey with you. Mark  Image by StockSnap from Pixabay No one likes to wait. The often frustrating experience of inconvenient stasis and failed expectations of arrival can easily darken one's mood. But what if those seemingly idle moments can be a gift of the spirit in our lives? Through the prayerful discipline of the liturgical calendar year, we are called to be patient for the birth of Christ during Advent, the season of waiting. By doing so, we immerse ourselves further into the story of Jesus year to year. But perhaps a more appropriate word for waiting is preparing – to be more receptive to the love of God in this season and every one thereafter. I am always reminded of the choral anthem "Lord, Before This Fleeting Season" by Libby Larsen at this time of year. The text by poet Mary Ann Jindra beautifully expresses the message of this fleeting mysterious season. May it make your waiting all the more worthwhile. Lord, before this fleeting season is upon us, Let me remember to walk slowly. Lord, bless my heart with Love and with quiet. Give my heart a leaning to hear carols. Grace our family with contentment, And the peace that comes only from You. Lord, help us to do less this busy season; Go less; stay closer to home; kneel more. May our hearts be Your heart. May we simply, peacefully, celebrate You.* Mark *“Simply Celebrate You — an Advent poem” by Mary Ann Jindra Permission to print is through Christian Copyright Solutions #11133 AuthorMark Heiskanen is Plymouth's Dir. of Music and Organist. Learn more about him and read his weekly Music Minute here.  By Tim Babcock - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0. "The balcony is closed." These words would often end the weekly television program At the Movies by film critics Siskel and Ebert, who would review films in an empty theater balcony outside normal business hours for our benefit, presumably. Well, Plymouth took steps a little over a year ago to ensure our balcony is always open–albeit a virtual balcony! When Pastor JT Smiedendorf referred to the online viewers last Sunday as being in the "virtual balcony," that struck me as rather profound. Pandemic aside, the 21st century church has been redefined by technology allowing for meaningful outreach to corners of the world we never thought possible. People are being inspired–transformed –by the Spirit and message of love and inclusion transmitted globally from our worship services now. You will hear testimonies from viewers about how this has impacted their faith and worldview in coming weeks. It is beautiful that we can now share the Good News from our sanctuary to others searching for spiritual sustenance. Our Audio Visual Team is an amazing group of people who run the sanctuary audio and livestream broadcasts each week. Co-chaired by Stuart Yoshida and Nic Redavid, their leadership and technical expertise has allowed our dedicated volunteers to learn the ropes of the new installation and bring quality broadcasts to you and our "virtual balcony" each week. C. Habit Blunk is contracted primarily to operate the video and livestream applications of the system, and we thank them for their enthusiastic and consistent service to Plymouth this past year. As a Deacons Board liaison to the AV Team, I know the challenges they meet and the gung ho spirit of this group and thank them for all their work. By all means, stop by the sound booth and say "Thank you" as well. They deserve it! We are always looking for new volunteers to assist with audio and if you are interested please let myself or a member of the team know. All this is to ensure that at Plymouth we lean into the new virtual church realities of this digital age. While nothing can replace the sense of community of personal interaction in a live sanctuary worship setting, worshipers online are being reached and filled with the Spirit through our digital efforts. And that is no less the mission of God's church as well. Let's keep the balcony WIDE open. Mark In case you missed last Sunday's Organ Encounter (or want to see it again): AuthorMark Heiskanen is Plymouth's Dir. of Music and Organist. Learn more about him and read his weekly Music Minute here.  Image by Claude Alleva from Pixabay 'Tis the season for starting up again. A general sense of renewal and coming back – with perhaps a clearer perspective – always permeates the air at the start of a new academic year. And I love it! While it's been some time since I attended college or any type of schooling, the anticipation of a brand new academic year of knowledge-seeking still echoes loudly for me. The cooling weather and low level hum of a healthy anxiety made opportunity and personal evolution visceral. That energy remains as I look to a new program year of music ministry at Plymouth. With the blessing of effective vaccines we're granted the opportunity to now just get on with our lives. While Covid infections can still inflict great harm to a few and long Covid is certainly a concern for all, we are nevertheless left with no choice but to just live with this virus. I suggest we embrace the opportunity to "live with it" enthusiastically! Music-making is preferably a contact sport in my view. Without community and close social contact, music would be relegated to solo performances. Those can be obviously wonderful and very satisfying as a musician but the shared experience of musical expression is uniquely uplifting. Whether it be the coordinated ringing of bells in the Plymouth Ringers, the joyful mission of preparing and singing choral anthems in the Chancel Choir, the shifting band of minstrels who provide an eclectic array of sounds for the 9:00 a.m. Sunday services, or congregational singing – the heartbeat of a church's musical worship life – it is in community that the Spirit is stirred most profoundly. We have a chance to confidently enter yet another new beginning. We can safely infuse our valued traditions as a church, such as a vibrant choral program, with new life if we so choose. I choose to offer a robust response to this opportune moment and heartily invite you to participate in this blessed space as well. 'Tis truly the season to do so. Mark . AuthorMark Heiskanen is Plymouth's Dir. of Music and Organist. Learn more about him and read his weekly Music Minute here.  Image by Quentin Marquet from Pixabay In the Netflix show Stranger Things, the small town of Hawkins, Indiana is repeatedly encroached upon by the malevolent parallel dimension known as The Upside Down, a nightmarish mirror image of our own world ruled by an entity named The Mind Flayer. Season by season, its attempts to fully manifest in our world are thwarted by a hardy group of 1980's misfit kids–nerds! The trauma of their experiences leaves them uneasy–scarred– yet hopeful that the portal to The Upside Down will never open again. But when it frustratingly does so, they breathe a collective sigh and fight once more confident that they will again be victorious. And you know what? Each renewed manifestation of The Mind Flayer carries less impact because they are no longer innocent. These brave young heroes have tried and true techniques to combat the menace. Protection. They are ready. Not so much The Upside Down, then, but The Slightly Skewed! There's a twinge of hope in there I'll gladly embrace. Mark AuthorMark Heiskanen is Plymouth's Dir. of Music and Organist. Learn more about him and read his weekly Music Minute here.  Image by MustangJoe from Pixabay The synergy of brass and timpani, organ, and a singing congregation expressing acclamations of Easter joy — jubilation. A reinvigorated Chancel Choir enthusiastically offering anthems of praise and thanksgiving with new members joining the merry band of singers — rejuvenation. The gentle peal of bells by the Plymouth Ringers during communion reminding us of the transformative message of assured hope in Eastertide — a quiet joy. The diversity of worshipers in the sanctuary on Easter morning of all ages, races and creeds, faces familiar and strangers warmly welcomed — a blessed community. And many more instances we each could share revealing those precious slivers of light in these ever-emerging days of life and vitality—Paschal blessings. Easter Sunday morning was truly a Day of Resurrection. We have seen it manifest slowly over the previous few months with faithful hope sustaining us these past two years. But what a joy it was to experience! Even the return of Plymouth's Easter cinnamon rolls tradition (no Covid protocols this time.. just grab and eat!) carried an impact no one would ever thought possible in a pre-pandemic world. May our cherishing of life and love continue forward. Forever. Mark AuthorMark Heiskanen is Plymouth's Dir. of Music and Organist. Learn more about him and read his weekly Music Minute here.  Image: Bob_Dmyt, pixabay I have been asked on occasion over the years what is the appeal of being a conductor or music director. The question would often go something like this: "If an ensemble doesn't play or sing to one's expectations, then everyone may look to you. Isn't it more rewarding then to just take responsibility for your own musical offerings as a soloist instead?" As rewarding as a solo performance can be in any context, my answer comes easy—no. The sense of community one discovers in a choir, a musical ensemble, and especially in congregational singing is vital to our collective musical and worship experience as a church. We are better together. The pandemic has sent us as worship staff into surreal territories such as prerecording services into bite-size chunks to be reassembled again, livestreaming to empty pews, and on occasion broadcasting from multiple locations via Zoom. Needless to say, community worship required a strong helping of imagination to accompany our best intentions—as a congregation we all chipped in with that! Music-making for myself became a private endeavor in large part. Plymouth's music ensembles, when they could safely meet, offered modest (yet spirit-filled!) selections as we observed social-distancing protocols and limited the number of participants who could gather at one time. And congregational singing, the heartbeat of the church's collective song, could only be imagined in viewer's homes on the other side of the sanctuary camera lens. We came back. And we retreated for our own health and for our neighbors. And likely soon, we will return once again to worship— and yes, sing and play!—as a church family and congregation. Choir rehearsals will resume and ringers will reconvene on Wednesday evenings. The joy of preparing our offerings for worship, experiencing and deepening our understanding of the music and its intention, and being with each other as a merry band of music-makers once again will come rushing back in and be welcomed with wide open arms. And in the sanctuary, God's people singing hymns and songs of old and new together as one voice will make a glorious sound. One community in Christ. I leave you with these uplifting words from the closing paragraph of A Song to Sing, A Life to Live, a fascinating book reflecting on music as spiritual practice by Don and Emily Saliers: Listen, and sing. Mark AuthorMark Heiskanen has been Plymouth's Director of Music since September 2017. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Mark has experience and great interest in a diverse range of musical styles including jazz, rock, musical theatre, and gospel. He is thrilled to serve a congregation and staff that values diversity and inclusion in all facets of life. Mark's Music Minute can be read here.  Image: Pixabay In recent days I've spent some time in remembrance and in celebration of the life and music of David Bowie, who succumbed to liver cancer six years ago on January 10. He would have also turned 75 on January 8, marking an unofficial three-day Bowie holiday this time of the year. He was a musical artist of great pop success but also of deep artistry revered for his visionary performance style, eccentric and eclectic songwriting, and his expressive forays into acting and painting. An ever-evolving Renaissance Man who will continue to inspire for generations to come, Bowie demonstrated perseverance and adaptability oh so well... I am reminded of his 2013 album "The Next Day," his first album of new material in a decade after suffering a heart attack on stage in 2004. Recorded in extreme secrecy, it was a surprise announcement as Bowie was presumed retired from the music business. The cover art immediately drew a response. It was the same cover of his renowned 1977 album "Heroes," a surreal photo of Bowie engaged in an act of mime whose intention he only knew, but with a white box rudely overlayed in the center. Within the box, the generic black lettering of the current album title can be seen: "The Next Day." Looking inside, the album liner notes are also recycled from previous use but crossed out with the new production crew and musicians simply written above it. The same, but not the same. Bowie was making a somewhat facetious point with the album's cover and sleeve design by saying, "Here's more of the same!" The connection to the original "Heroes" album is quite clear in this collection of brilliant tunes—an ode to his glorious past and his own mortality. He does so however with the knowledge that there is no literal going back. But the spirit of purpose, creativity and optimism still carried forward as it always had with Bowie—always a new creation. Let's see what the Next Day will bring, shall we? Mark AuthorMark Heiskanen has been Plymouth's Director of Music since September 2017. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Mark has experience and great interest in a diverse range of musical styles including jazz, rock, musical theatre, and gospel. He is thrilled to serve a congregation and staff that values diversity and inclusion in all facets of life. Mark's Music Minute can be read here.  Image by Tibor Janosi Mozes from Pixabay It is an age-old observation that most can relate some piece of music to one's lived moments both big and small. Childhood birthday party? Yes, that tune. A traditional wedding? Wagner's contemporarily-entitled "Here Comes the Bride" or the seemingly mandatory inclusion of Pachelbel's "Canon in D" comes to mind. One's involvement in the 1960's civil rights movement? "We Shall Overcome" easily rises to the surface. And so many more distinctly personal selections to one's life soundtrack. Music can even act as an impetus for dramatic life change. For me, hearing Joseph Jongen's "Sonata Eroica" brilliantly performed in a recording by organist Todd Wilson showed me that a degree path in organ performance could be a worthy and exciting path to undertake way back in 2003. And it still provides reliable inspiration when needed. In our liturgical year, we mark the events of Jesus' life and that of the universal church in a three year cycle of scriptural readings. For myself, I find this to be a powerful and meaningful tool to program music for worship. My earliest associations with worship in my Lutheran upbringing was the intentional ever-evolving tone throughout the year: introspection and anticipation in Advent and Lent culminating in celebration and joy (both quiet and unbridled!) with Christmastide and the Easter season. Not only does it make for a nuanced beautiful musical tapestry in worship week to week, but more importantly, it brings us closer to the story of Jesus and the witnessing church. As we approach Totenfest/All Saints Sunday and, soon, the Advent season, perhaps a certain hymn or piece of music enters your mind? An association with the majestic Ralph Vaughan Williams' tune in "For All the Saints" is a common one as we remember those saints who have gone on before. It would be difficult to imagine Advent without the longing strains of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" to usher us into the season. The Church has the unique position in this world to mark the occasion of every moment of our lives. It is a blessing to be in such a community and to then share that light with all. Mark AuthorMark Heiskanen has been Plymouth's Director of Music since September 2017. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Mark has experience and great interest in a diverse range of musical styles including jazz, rock, musical theatre, and gospel. He is thrilled to serve a congregation and staff that values diversity and inclusion in all facets of life. Mark's Music Minute can be read here.  Image by Pexels from Pixabay The diversity of music at Plymouth is an especially joyous facet of my tenure with you. I see musical diversity as a strength which allows for greater connection among a diverse people whose life experiences can be so varied. Beginning on Jubilee Sunday, August 29, the "eclectic" style of worship familiar to those who attended the 6:00 p.m. service moves to the 9:00 a.m. worship time. The 11:00 a.m. service will continue to offer the familiar "traditional" style of worship with organ and choir. Truthfully, musical diversity exists across the entire spectrum of our services with cross pollination freely engaged in. In the end, it is the spiritual essence and intention of the music that can lead us deeper into the divine. And this mode of spiritual transportation appears in varied guises, to be sure! A piece of music that is viscerally transcendent to one can be received by another as an outright snoozefest. It is fascinating! A composer's vision—and message— is simply not going to reach everyone universally. It is like trying to plug an HDMI cable into a USB port. It will not work. That is, unless one is willing to invest in an adapter... It is a healthy venture to be exposed to the musical creations of composers and songwriters both living and past. Just as one can experience the imagination and perspective of a brilliant author (or even just an interesting one!) from the pages of a book, music can broaden one's spiritual, emotional, and intellectual landscape, even if the music is upon first listen off-putting (I find.) We may not possess the compatible receptors for everything we hear initially—but it is possible that they can grow into being if we're open to it. A book I think about now and then which relates to this topic is A Song to Sing, A Life to Live by Don and Emily Saliers. I led a Zoom forum on this inspirational and poetic read about a year ago. The father and daughter co-authors come from two very different musical worlds: Don from the liturgical church tradition as an organist, composer, and choral conductor and Emily as one half of the successful folk rock duo Indigo Girls. Together, they explore the spiritual commonality between their respective musical turfs and their joint experiences with cultures worldwide. It is a compelling study and delights in the diversity of musical traditions. We crave transcendence and music is one of the most effective conduits into this spiritual realm. One person may feel exhilaration at a high decibel heavy metal show while another is uplifted by the sweet melancholy of a band like The Cure. The ancient melodies of Gregorian Chant can bring the faithful to tears while the roar of a pipe organ leading a congregation in an old Germanic hymn could be seen as glorious. A touch of heaven is only within listening distance when we have willing ears attuned to listen—to really listen. Our souls just have a way to seek out and let in those sounds that create that stir deep within. Mark Heiskanen Dir. of Music AuthorMark Heiskanen has been Plymouth's Director of Music since September 2017. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Mark has experience and great interest in a diverse range of musical styles including jazz, rock, musical theatre, and gospel. He is thrilled to serve a congregation and staff that values diversity and inclusion in all facets of life. Read his mostly-weekly Music Minute here.  By Quartl - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41600645 Recently, I and twenty or so members of the Chancel Choir gathered at Bill and Anne Thompson's home for a time of fellowship and a celebration of Michele Betsill's upcoming adventure in Denmark as professor at the University of Copenhagen. It is an awesome opportunity but she will be missed at Plymouth! And some of us have only seen each other in two dimensions these past fifteen months, courtesy of Zoom. And for others, it was a reunion long time coming. Connection and camaraderie are essential components for choral singers, the most social of all music ensembles. We don't need an instrument to express our harmonies after all— just our natural selves. This became very apparent last Wednesday evening. These months of the pandemic have been anything but linear. As close contact could potentially be dangerous, it was always about finding a workaround: virtual choral singing approaches, prerecorded worship services pieced together throughout the prior week, livestreamed services, and more protocols than one would hopefully ever need again! Time-consuming. And often frustrating. But now, we can actually connect two points together...in a straight line at that! For example, you can drive from your home and pull into Plymouth for the 6:00 p.m. service and we'll all be together in real time. Soon, we can experience the 10:00 a.m. service in this same way on July 4. And the Chancel Choir will be there too...and the week after. What was once a major super spreader event (choral singing) is now laid low with these life-saving vaccines. It is an amazing transitional time now. So let's enjoy the return of immediacy and overflowing connection opportunities we once freely enjoyed. Strangely, the ease of simply doing something without the resistance of once necessary safety protocols makes me feel like a slacker. As if, "this is just too easy, really?" Maybe you can relate to that too. In any case, we'll get over it. That I'm quite sure of. Mark AuthorMark Heiskanen has been Plymouth's Director of Music since September 2017. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Mark has experience and great interest in a diverse range of musical styles including jazz, rock, musical theatre, and gospel. He is thrilled to serve a congregation and staff that values diversity and inclusion in all facets of life. Read his mostly-weekly Music Minute here. |
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