Rich choral heritage at 1st UM Church

I find it a little difficult to write this column for the sake it may sound like I am tooting my own horn, but I do believe this is worth talking about. You may or may not have heard about the Van Wert’s First United Methodist Senior Chancel Choir, but they have been invited to a rather large international event.  I say “they” and I really mean “we,” since I happen to be their director.

The choir recently was invited to sing as part of the worldwide United Methodist General Conference. It is held every four years and this year will be in Portland, Oregon. It all began when I received an email invitation to submit YouTube video and a résumé of the choir if we would like to be considered to perform as one of the musical ensembles for General Conference. I really didn’t realize the whole realm of things, but knew I had some video of our choir and just thought I might as well send it in.  I had no idea how many would be accepted or how many might even audition.

So, I sent a couple selections of our choir to the General Conference people in charge of selecting ensembles.  I didn’t tell anyone I had sent them, thinking that when we didn’t get accepted, no one would be disappointed. After several months had passed, I actually forgot about the whole idea and was ready to move on. Then, early this summer, I received an email stating that the United Methodist General Conference would like to invite the Van Wert Chancel Choir to sing at the opening day luncheon and worship service on May 10, 2016.  I had no idea how many sent in audition materials, but was very excited about the possibility.

This summer, I, along with three others involved in worship at First UM Church, attended a workshop in Indianapolis on music and worship. There, I met Rev. Laura Bartlet, who is in charge of all worship services at the 2016 General Conference and was in charge of selecting choirs to perform at this 11-day event. I was able to find out that we were chosen out of nearly 100 music ensembles who auditioned. Twenty-seven were selected. We will be singing for thousands of delegates and attendees on opening day in the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. I guess it’s a pretty big deal!

The choir is in the process of raising funds for a five-day trip out west, starting in Seattle, Washington, and ending in Portland. You will probably hear about different fundraisers throughout the year as the choir set a goal of trying to raise nearly $40,000 to cover half of the cost.  The remaining amount will be the responsibility of each member. I do know the choir is planning a pre-game dinner on October 30, before the Cougars’ last home game of the season. Stay tuned for plans, but it will be delicious and it will be held in the dining hall of the First UM Church.

We are honored and excited to represent the Northwest Plains District and the West Ohio Conference at this worldwide conference, which incorporates Africa, Asia, the United States and Europe. It will be an exciting adventure and trip for our choir. We are limited to 44 total people on the trip, which will include many sightseeing expeditions along the way, but if you would be interested in being included, please feel free to contact me.  We are looking for great singers to help represent us to the thousands of attendees.

The First UM Choir has a rich heritage of singing. It has had the pleasure of traveling in 1981 to England with then director, Larry Schaufelberger. Larry, along with others before him, helped establish a legacy of excellence in choral singing at First Church. It was that legacy that laid the groundwork for us to also travel to New York City and sing at St. John the Divine in 2001. I and the many fine singers I have been blessed to lead have been the recipients of their fine work and are excited to continue that legacy as we represent Van Wert and the United States at General Conference in Portland, Oregon, on May 10, 2016.

FINÉ.