Celtic-inspired expressions of Psalm 23 on this Fourth Sunday of Eastertide.

Harpist Alaina Bongers and flutist Rebecca Quillen return to Plymouth for both morning services with Celtic offerings celebrating the wonder of nature and the solace it gives to our being. The "Prayer of Jesus," the text based on an adaptation of The Lord's Prayer by John Philip Newell, will be sung at both services as we anticipate the Celtic scholar's visit to Plymouth on May 11. At the 11:00 service, the Chancel Choir sings a paraphrase of Psalm 23 from the Scottish Psalter (1650) in "Brother James' Air" arranged by Stan Pethel. 

Come join us this Sunday in a Celtic feast for the ears and soul.

This Sunday we celebrate the rich Celtic tradition of music and prayer so revered at Plymouth. St. Patrick's Day comes early...served in two ways!

At 9:00, traditional Irish jigs and reels are led by fiddler Abigail Morgan with guitarist Alan Skowron and bassist Peter Strening. Come and experience the exuberant sounds of ancient Ireland as we worship this early morning. 

At 11:00, the traditional Irish tune "St. Columba" is treated to a lovely setting by composer Matt Riley at the Prelude. Violinist Harmony Tucker joins us. The Chancel Choir offers "God, You Enfold Me," an ancient Celtic prayer set to music by Hal Hopson inspired by early Italian opera composer Giulio Caccini. Harmony Tucker provides the violin part. At the Postlude, a jig for the organ! "Toccata gaelica" by Hans-André Stamm joyously encompasses the spirit of the traditional Irish jig in a multi-sectional romp sure to send you happily out into the world.    

Two prominent contemporary American organ composers will be presented during this week's morning services. Gerre Hancock was known as a master improviser of all the classic forms including fugues, trios, and even entire organ symphonies. This ingenuity is very present in his choral and organ output as well. The atmospheric and tonally adventurous setting of the well known hymn Beautiful Savior opens the services. Ned Rorem left an indelible mark on contemporary organ repertoire as well as the vocal, choral, and operatic genres and in literature as a diarist. At 95 years of age, Mr. Rorem has retired from composing but enjoys his works performed regularly throughout the world. Fanfare from OrganBook III and "...No darkness at all..."  from A Quaker Reader will be offered. 

The Chancel Choir will present a setting of the familiar Isaiah 9:2-6 text prophesying the advent of the Light to the world in Arise and Shine! by John Paradowski.

Come later to the 6:00 p.m. service for a Celtic evening of jigs, reels, and beautifully haunting tones from the British Isles. Violinist Abigail Steidley and guitarist Scott Steidley joins Bobby and Blair for this exciting worship experience.       

In the morning, we will hear two selections from Max Reger’s Opus 59, a collection of twelve pieces for organ published in 1901. Pastorale is a trio from the first half of the collection, which comprises settings of traditional compositional forms such as a toccata, fugue, and intermezzo. The pastorale form itself is typically in a three meter over a drone-like bass and has often been associated with nature, specifically the Christmas story of the shepherds. Famous examples include the Pastoral Symphony from Handel’s Messiah and the third movement of Vivaldi’s Spring concerto (The Four Seasons). The second half of Opus 59 contains mostly liturgical pieces of which the final work will be offered, Te Deum. Based on the Gregorian Chant melody ascribed to the ancient Christian hymn of praise, Te Deum Laudamus (Thee, O God, we praise), the piece slowly crescendos to a grand Regerian finale.

Soprano Jennifer Stimson will offer a setting of Psalm 23, our scripture reading this Sunday, by composer David Childs.

At 6:00 p.m., Bobby, vocalist Blair Carpenter, and other familiar friends of Plymouth will present a Celtic-inspired selection of songs and musical offerings. 

This Sunday morning will be steeped in the musical imagination of famed Baroque composer George Frideric Händel (1685-1759). At the 9:00 service, violinist Harmony Tucker and myself will play Händel’s Sonata No. 1 in A Major as the prelude. Come early and hear this amazing work! Excerpts from Sonata No. 3 in F Major will also be offered.

At 10:00, join Dr. John Pippen in the Forum Room for his presentation on Part III of Händel’s Messiah. Dr. Pippen, Assistant Professor of Music History and Musicology at Colorado State University, will discuss the  history of the work, the genre of the oratorio in general and its creators, and aspects of this Easter portion of Handel’s oratorio including form and text setting.

At 11:00, we will all have the privilege of experiencing the third part of Händel’s masterwork Messiah (1741). Accompanied by an eleven member chamber orchestra and featuring soloists from around the Fort Collins area, the Chancel Choir and friends will present all nine sections of part three in their entirety.*

Please join us for this Easter season service of scripture and music from Händel’s beloved oratorio, Messiah.

At 6:00, Bobby will be joined by harpist Alaina Borgers and friends for a Celtic-inspired service with other musical excursions very possible.
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Mark Heiskanen
Director of Music