Music At Beaverton First UMC by Dianna J. Himes
Our church is blessed to have musicians enough to provide a wide variety of musical vehicles both for the uplifting of our
congregation and providing numerous opportunities for participation in the music program. We currently offer Te Deum Choir (adult sanctuary choir), Sunday School Singers (children's choir), Percussion People (Orff marimbas and drums), Jubilee Handchimes, Winds of Grace (Flute Ensemble), The Worship Ensemble (brass and woodwind band), SoulFaire (Folk Music Group), and Heartstrings (string, flute, and chambermusic ensemble). In addition, we are working at recruiting performers for a combo which would perform in the jazz/rock/pop style.
Although many of our musicians perform in more than one group, all told, approximately 50 people are involved in vocal or instrumental music at BFUMC. In the early spring of 2006, our Music Director became aware of a hard truth. She couldn't do it all. The writing, arranging, instructing, rehearsing, and performing of 7 groups often meant she had to be many places at one time.
Since this was physically impossible and beginning to wear on her nerves, the Music Council was formed. the Music Council consists of people who are already participating in each group and have demonstrated leadership ability and have agreed to be a volunteer leader. The leader for each group is responsibile for running the rehearsals and keeping the Music Director informed about any problems or needs that arise in the operation of their groups.
Current Music Council
Dianna J. Himes - Te Deum choir, Percussion People, Music Director
Bill Butler - Jubilee Handchimes
Eryn Pitney - Heartstrings
Amy Hoffert - Winds of Grace
Eric Fitzaimons - Worship Ensemble
Ken Ruse - combo recruitment and SoulFaire
Rev. Michael Heart - Sunday School Singers
At BFUMC any students who participate in H.S. Band Programs are immediatly invited to participate in a group at church. Young elementary students begin in Sunday School Singers and then are invited into Percussion People and trained to play the instruments. New families are made aware of opportunities for musical involvement and are actively recruited and frequently invited to find a "place in the choir" or band, as the case might be.
