Shakespeare’s lyrical poem “Orpheus with His Lute” comes from his play Henry VIII, where it is sung by Queen Katherine as she experiences deep sorrow and political turmoil. The myth of Orpheus has existed in various forms, but they all describe a mortal who was the son of Calliope and a Thracian king (or perhaps … Continue reading Music Notes 3/22/26

With a worship theme of myth, today’s musical offerings connect to this theme in a variety of manners. The prelude chosen by Shaylor is Gnossienne #2 by Erik Satie. “The etymology of the word gnossienne is contentious, but the word existed in French literature before Satie’s usage and is in the 1865 Larousse Dictionary, referring … Continue reading Music Notes 3/8/26

Many of Bruce Springsteen’s songs express both humanitarian concern and calls to civic action. “We Take Care of Our Own” asks the listener to look closely at the gap between the American dream and the reality of modern life. There is an implied “Do we?” in response to whether we or our government actually take … Continue reading Music Notes 2/15/26

With a worship theme of eternity, we have choral sections reflecting upon this. Robert Frost’s poem “Choose Something Like a Star” speaks to an attempted dialog initiated by humanity to a star. It ultimately evokes a transcendent state of mind as the reader arrives at the reminder that the star “asks of us a certain … Continue reading Music Notes 2/8/26

“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear.” This Music Sunday explored a variety of American music and reflected on the American experiment, pluralism, and democracy at 250 years. Here are some of the poems and readings shared as part of the service. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman “It’s Like This” by Rosemerry Wahtola … Continue reading Poems from American Music at 250

“This Land Is Your Land” was written by Woody Guthrie in reaction to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” Guthrie felt that Berlin’s song was too sappy, too blindly patriotic, and too cut off from the hard-knock life many Americans were facing as the Great Depression dragged into its 10th year. In February 1940, Guthrie decided … Continue reading Music Notes 1/18/26

With a worship theme of cardinal, the cardinal directions are celebrated, sung, and danced in R.E.M.’s song “Stand.” Lead singer Michael Stipe has said of the song’s meaning, “It’s about making decisions and actually living your life rather than letting it happen.” While written in the late 1980s, the music alludes to pop of the 1960s … Continue reading Music Notes 12/7/25

The prelude is a quiet but hopeful original melody intended to relax you away from the to-do list part of your brain! “Changes” is a musical acknowledgment that changing can be challenging. It’s not easy to put on a new lens or change a perspective; in fact, it takes courage but sometimes you have to … Continue reading Music Notes 11/30/25

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, the choir will sing “Simple Gifts.” The tune is an old Shaker melody written and composed in 1848, generally attributed to Elder Joseph Brackett from Alfred Shaker Village. It became widely known and loved when Aaron Copland utilized the melody for the score of Martha Graham’s ballet Appalachian Spring, which premiered … Continue reading Music Notes 11/23/25