February is a diverse month, ranging from Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 5 through Mardi Gras Sunday on Feb. 19, moving through Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22 and culminating on Feb. 26 with the first Sunday of Lent. As such, music throughout February will be equally diverse.
The Sanctuary Choir's anthems will range from Maurice Durufle's beautiful chant-inspired Ubi Caritas and Sebastian Temple's Make Me a Channel of Your Peace to Karen Marrolli's setting of Justice Like Waters.
On February 12, the Children's Choir sings for the first time this new year at the 11AM service.
On February 19, the Early Morning Choir will join with the Blue Heaven Jazz Band to sing throughout the Mardi Gras service. Featuring congregational members, Jerry Nelson on drums and Linda Eccard on voice, the Blue Heaven Jazz Band will play at both services in our Mardi Gras Sunday celebrations prior to Lent. Their numbers range from Hello Dolly to When the Saints Go Marching In and it's always a good time when they play. Plan to invite a friend and come and enjoy some great music!
On Wednesday, February 22, members of Early Morning and Sanctuary Choirs combine to sing for the Ash Wednesday service at 7 PM. Music that evening will feature Karen Marrolli's setting Arise, a compilation of the Southern Harmony I Will Arise with a new tune, Create in Me.
Frederic Chopin will again be the featured composer for February. As always, I look forward to bringing in some of his exquisite music. Chopin was born on March 1, 1810 and I enjoy returning to his music at this time of year. I hope you will find something personally and emotionally meaningful in all the music we present this month!
Blessings,
Jacquelyn Helin
United Church Santa Fe is fortunate to have Jacquelyn Helin, an internationally famous pianist, as the Director of Music Ministries. Jacquelyn, whose concerts draw standing ovations and rave reviews, has played in the major music capitals of Europe and the USA. As winner of the Artists International Competition, she played to a sold-out audience in Carnegie Recital Hall. Contact Jacquelyn at unitedchurch.jacquelyn@gmail.com
Karen Marrolli, our Director of Choral Ministries, is a graduate of Westminister Choir College and is finishing her Doctorate in Music Arts from Louisiana State University. She has led both church and student choirs in a variety of music, from classical to global. Karen was the founding artistic director of Lux Aeterna, a chamber choir that presented candlelight concerts in honor of such events as World AIDS Day, the September 11th attacks, and Child Abuse Awareness Month. She is a composer/arranger of choral music, and her works have been published by Morningstar Music and Colla Voce Music. Contact Karen at unitedchurch.karen@gmail.com
“They who sing pray twice.”
St. Augustine
