Join Choir
Jay McDowell, Director of Choirs and Music Ministry
Choir rehearsals for the new year will start on Thursday, September 3rd. Handbell Choir will begin at 6:30 PM and Chancel Choir will begin at 7:30 PM. As we begin anew on September 13, we will be delving into a new liturgy-Setting 6! Setting 6 is slightly contemporary with hints of jazz and gospel thrown in to keep things moving-both in speed and sporot. This setting will help us entergize as we press forwad in the church year. Never fear though-we will revisit the "old standards" when we begin Advent in November! There is also talk of a hymn-sing some week this fall!

The music department would like to invite any interested members to either stop in at the rehearsal, or contact Jay McDowell in advance. Rehearsals typically last around one hour. If you are not sure that you are able to commit to the entire season, please consider joining us anyway. There may be an opportunity for child care available during our Thursday night rehearsals.

Interview with Jay McDowell
musicdirector@uscfaith.com

Q: When did you start with Faith Lutheran?

A: My first rehearsal at Faith Lutheran was November 6th and first service was that Sunday, November 9th.

Q: What was it that brought you into looking for a job as choir director in your spare time?

A: There were many factors in this decision. I had been singing with a church choir as part of the professional core for just over a year and found that I could, in fact, find the time and that I missed being part of an ensemble. However, for a number of years I have wanted to work with voices and have the opportunity to guide an ensemble. I initially searched when I first moved to Pittsburgh but as I know now, the timing was not right and I was not truly prepared.

Q: With the season coming to a close, have you had any anthems or hymns that you truly enjoyed? Any that you would still have liked to have done for a service?

A: I have enjoyed most of the music this season. However, three that come to mind were "Emmanuel Come Soon", the Easter anthem - "Alleluia, Alleluia", and "How Can I Keep From Singing."

I am constantly amazed by the dedication of the choir members and the quality of their work. It is clear that each person not only loves to sing or play the bells, but yearns for a chance to learn about how they can improve even just a little bit.

Q: Have you noticed a change in the size of the choir since you became director?

A: Not having any firsthand knowledge of the choir previously, I personally haven't noticed much of a change. I would have expected to have more members around Christmas and Easter and that's precisely what seemed to happen. It is difficult to ask members of the church to commit so much time when there are so many other obligations they must tend to.

Q: Do you feel you have been able to accomplish everything you had hoped for with the choir/bells? Have the resources been available, or do you feel that will take time?

A: I am very pleased with what we have accomplished this year. However, I feel that there is certainly more that I can do to make next year even better. I am hopeful that the summer will be a time for the choir members to relax and rejuvenate their spirits for another great season. I'm also hoping that during that time, I can get my feet firmly on the ground and be ready to go in September! I am hoping to re-organize the music library so that it is updated and more user-friendly and also so that I know what we have to work with. Once this task is accomplished, I expect planning to go much more smoothly.

Q: Are there any hopes or expectations for next season? Any ideas for Anthems already planned?

A: Next season is a bit of a clean slate at this point in time. I have a couple of thoughts for anthems but nothing is set in stone. Some of what I'd like to do is conditional on finding an organist. I would love to see the numbers in both choirs grow and to get more people involved in the music ministry of the church. In order to do this, I feel it is important that I have all of my ducks in a row first and truly know what I am asking of each choir member.