Elements of the Celtic, folk, and jazz traditions color the music offered at the 9:00 a.m. contemplative service.
 
At the 11:00 a.m. traditional service, music by female composers will be featured on this last Sunday of Eastertide. Libby Larsen's contemporary setting of the hymn of community "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds" opens worship. The Chancel Choir sings an arrangement of the American folk hymn "Simple Gifts" by Anna Page and Jean Shafferman. The service concludes with a vibrant echo of the final hymn in "And Again I Say, Rejoice!" by Brenda Portman, a former colleague of mine at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  

A blend of traditional and Celtic rock sounds will be shared at the early service this St. Paddy's Day morning. "Fiddler" Harmony Tucker and guitarist Alan Skowron join our merry band of players in the chancel.

At the later service, the Chancel Choir sings the traditional Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision" in a setting by James Biery with violinist Harmony Tucker and cellist Aaron Dunigan-AtLee. You too can join us on this pick-up choir Sunday! Rehearsal begins at 10:10 a.m.

Flutist Aaron McGrew opens worship in a lovely duet with organ in "Celtic Hymn: The Sound of Love" by Hans-André Stamm. To commemorate J.S. Bach's 339th birthday on March 21, the organ offers "Fantasia: Bach in Ireland" in a melding of Baroque and Celtic sensibilities by Mr. Stamm, also a renowned interpreter of Bach's organ works. 

Bheith linn (join us)!

At 9:00 a.m., fiddler Harmony Tucker joins the Celtic musical celebration with traditional Irish and Gaelic tunes plus melodies from other modern "new traditional" sources. Who knows what may be offered...

At 11:00 a.m., the Plymouth Ringers invoke our worship time with the Irish ballad tune "The Star of the County Down" arranged by Samuel Stokes. The Chancel Choir offers the well-known Irish hymn "Be Now My Vision" in a lovely setting by composer Dan Forrest. Lastly, the organ celebrates the 338th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach on March 21 with the grand sonorities of his "Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 533" informally subtitled in 1705 as "The Cathedral."

At 9:00 a.m., a Celtic breeze informs worship with eclectic sounds from the gospel, folk and 20th century Neo-Baroque idioms as well. Ukulelist Stuart Yoshida joins us in songs of light and fellowship.

At 11:00 a.m., the organ greets you with a Neo-Baroque setting of the late 16th century Epiphany carol "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star" by Helmut Walcha. The Chancel Choir then shares an anthem by prolific composer Alfred Fedak declaring to "Let in the Light." As you depart worship, a "Pasticcio" reminiscent of Medieval era musical themes by French organ composer Jean Langlais resounds from the organ.

At 9:00 a.m., a Celtic spirit informs the musical offerings for our early morning worship service. Violinist Harmony Tucker joins us for songs of cheer and haunting beauty.

At 11:00 a.m., the organ speaks in the spirit of the Baroque era with two 16th century hymn tune settings. At the Prelude, 20th century "Neo-Baroque" composer Helmut Walcha offers a delightfully eccentric reading of the Epiphany hymn "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star." At the Postlude, we go to "the source" with Johann Sebastian Bach's energetic and joyful chorale prelude on the new year carol "In Thee Is Gladness." Lastly, at the Offertory, the Chancel Choir sings the celebratory traditional Caribbean tune "Halle, Halle, Halle" arranged by Hal Hopson with unofficial resident djembist Rev. Hal Chorpenning and other aspiring percussionists.     

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.
​
Mark Heiskanen
Director of Music