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Chancel Choir Anthems in Title Order
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Date Order
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Chancel Choir Members
This page lists the Chancel Choir sections of the printed Annual Reports for the Annual Meetings of the First Congregational Church of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. - Annual Reports of the Handbell Choir
| 1999
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| 2003
| 2004
| 2005
| 2006
| 2007
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2007 Report of the Chancel Choir Director
and Church Organist - 4-27-2008, p. 25
2007 has been a busy and musically adventuresome year for our
Chancel Choir.
We began the year with our able musicians: Linda Ruona,
Laurel Sanders, Ken Snart, and Bethany Jorenby supplying choir and
keyboard while Joanne Peterson was caring for grandchildren in
Alta, Wyoming.
In March, the choir presented Requiem by Bradley Ellingboe.
Our guest musicians included Laurel Sanders, alto, Michelle Kohl,
violin, and Miyoko Grine Fisher, cello.
Our Easter music was enhanced by brass players: Lisa Zemlock,
Ron Olson, Matt Key and Josh Priniski. We all joined in
The Tree of Life anthem which culminated the tree growth focus
throughout Lent.
Christina Conn rehearsed and conducted the Chancel Choir during the
Harvest Festival. She our Angel Choir Director replacement for
Linda Ruona, who has moved to Sheboygan.
Our Christmas music featured the J. S. Bach cantata,
For Us a Child is Born. The very able Chancel Choir had
additional so voices: Laurel Sanders, Paul Coonen, and Hartley Horn.
Through the year, we were blessed with many other musicians sharing
their music. These included: Miriam Grill, Eric Hallquist, Marty Robinson,
Rebecca Urbrock, Pat Dwyer-Hallquist, Frank Hoffmeister, Joe Wittrock,
Molly Schlaak, Risa Tetzloff, Steve Hazell, Dan Singer, Jacob Braun,
Keith Keller, Juliana DiGiosia Wesner, Matt Walsh, Ryan Albashian,
Noah Bossert, Ellie Thomas, Ellen Otto, Zoe Bossert, Edgar Krisbaher,
Tess Krisbaher, Heidi Burnett, Yuliya Smead, James Grine, Steve Schani,
and Miyoko Grine Fisher.
The Chancel Choir is always open to new singers. Do come and help
us continue the fine tradition which the First Congregational Church
celebrates.
Joanne Peterson
Chancel Choir Director and Church Organist
2006 Report of the Chancel Choir - 4-22-2007, p. 21
The Chancel Choir continues its dedicated service to our worship
community throughout the year.
Highlights of the year 2006 included a presentation of
The Crucifixion by John Stainer. Guest vocalists were
Paul Coonen and Ben Vis.
Our Advent service choral work was The Magnificat by
Dietrich Buxtehude. Guest musicians were Everett Goodwin, violin,
and Nancy Kaphaem, cello. Pat Dwyer-Hallquist from our choir also
played the violin for this performance.
Joanne Peterson
Chancel Choir Director and Church Organist
2005 Report of the Chancel Choir Director
and Church Organist - 4-30-2006, p. 20
The Chancel Choir continues its devoted work of leading and
enriching our service with its music.
The Choir Director & Choir helped organize and provide leadership
to a festival of anthems that were composed by the late Borghild Jacobson,
an Oshkosh composer. Her husband, Harvey Jacobson, provided the music.
Joanne Peterson and Mark Bloedow, one of Joanne Peterson's organ
students in his youth, both played organ and conducted a choir made up
of singers from various churches. Jared Stellmacher, another organ
student of Joanne's also played organ.
The Choir Director & Organist was absent during March, 2005, for
surgery. Competent substitutes, Linda Ruona, Jonathan Yackel,
Laurel Sanders, and Collette Beuther, filled in for her.
The Lenten program featured Smith's Lux Aeterna,
Vaughan Williams, The Call, and Mendelssohn's
Let Me, God, Your Help Be Finding. The Advent program include
two new selections, Ave Maria by David Hall, and
A Maiden Mild by Derek Healey.
Special Music was provided during the year by Juliana DiGiosia,
Evan Keller, Tanya Paulson, Ben Vis, Linda Ruona as conductor and guest
soloist, Jonathan Yackel, Pat Hallquist, Lisa Zemlock, Collette Beuther,
Ron Olson, Paul Buetow, Clint Freund, Ellie Thomas, Jonas Wagner,
Sophia Yackel, Zale Rogers, Jenna Wojahn, Breanna Sekeres, Emma Lenz,
Seana McCain, Hailey Wald, Bridget Duffy, Jared Stellmacher,
Paul Thompson, Ryan Albashian, Brooke Nustand Hansen, Meredith Ives,
Steve Hazell, Pierce Goodwin, Sarah Thrush, Rachel and Kris Schwebke,
Sam Schlaak, James Yukiko, and Miyoko Grine, Max and Noah Bossert,
Katie Heinemann, Jim Paulson, and Ken Snart, tenor and solo bells.
Regular Chancel Choir members were: Maria Talin, Kelly Frank,
Lisa Wesenberg, Ann Wesenberg, Karen LaBorde, Bethany Estrada,
Jen Stellpflug, Elizabeth Henkle, Carol Niendorf, Susan Coghill,
Vernice Haase, Tami Goodwin, Nancy Lloyd, Pat Hallquist, Cathy Wille,
Ed Schneider, Ken Snart, George Coghill, Douglas Henkle, Art Wille,
Thatcher Peterson, and Eric Kropp.
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Joanne Peterson
Chancel Choir Director and Church Organist
2004 Report of the Chancel Choir
Director/Church Organist - 4-24-2005, unnumbered page
The year 2004 focused our Chancel Choir continuing their fine
leadership of music for our Sunday services.
We are enjoying the new risers and chairs which were a memorial gift
from the Dorothy Kutz Memorial. It is such a pleasure to sit in chairs
that are comfortable and that also encourage good singing posture.
Among our special events for this year were a Lenten program of
anthems from the Southern Harmony tradition, and the Advent cantata,
The Magnificat by D. Buxtehude. These works were enhanced with
guest musicians Lisa Zemlock, Steve Schani, Linda Ruona, Everett Goodwin,
Pat Dwyer-Hallquist and Miyoko Grine.
An unexpected treat one Sunday was the guest appearance of the
Winnebago Barbershop Chorus.
We have many musicians who have enriched our services with their
music, particularly during the summer and for the Christmas season. They
were: Matthew Becker, Emilie Braun, Erin Kaprelian, Chris, Eric, and
Pat Hallquist, Emily Goodwin, John, Pat, and Ian Nichols,
Jonathan Yackel, Laurel Sanders, Juliana DiGiosia,
Kris and Rachel Schwebke, Lisa Wesenberg, Ed Schneider,
George and Sue Coghill, Ken Snart, Katie Heinemann, Sarah Kaprelian,
Kevin Frank, Ellie Thomas, Tanya and James Paulson.
Our church also hosted an organ recital by Wolfgang Rubsam, who
presented a program played by Marcel Dupre in 1924. With the balcony
open, we have regained the original acoustics from 1911. The audience
filled the sanctuary and included folks from Minnesota, Michigan and
Illinois.
Also, Mary Ellen Pung, piano, Peter Schmalz, french horn, and
Joanne Peterson, organ, offered a program of pieces where the organ
replicates the orchestra. This was standard practice in the early
years of this past century.
First Congregational Church continues to offer fine music as a
portion of its ministry to the community.
Joanne Peterson
Chancel Choir Director/Organist
2003 Report of the Chancel Choir Director/Organist
- 4-25-2004, p. 24
The Chancel Choir has continued its support of the worship service
throughout the year. Anthems and special music were prepared for
regular services, and members helped with special music during the
summer months.
The Cry of the Whole Congregation by Walter Wangerin,
provided Lenten focus and total congregation/choir involvement.
During Advent the Chancel Choir prepared the cantata
The Three Kings by Anders Ohrwall, out first major work in the
newly expanded sanctuary. We were assisted by Juliana DiGiosia, flute
and Nancy Schmalz, piano.
The appearance of Nick Page was an exciting and uplifting addition
to our worship service.
We also enjoyed the additions of Steve and Vivian Hazell and their
folk music group to our fall services.
Guest musicians throughout the year included: Kyle and Carrie Schultz,
John, Pat, and Ian Nichols, Chad Sheveland, George Coghill, Evan Keller,
Jonathan Yackel, Elizabeth Henkle, Laurel Sanders,
Pat, Chris, and Eric Hallquist, Michael Underwood, Frank Hoffmeister,
Lisa Zemlock, Ron Olson, Leigh-Ann Lethco, Allie Dobie, Meredith Ives,
Kris and Rachel Schwebke, Ken Snart, and Linda Ruona.
Our Chancel Choir is a loyal and devoted group of singers. They
welcome newcomers to their ranks to help make "a joyful noise unto the
Lord."
Joanne Peterson
Chancel Choir Director/Organist
2002 Report of the Chancel Choir Director/Organist
- 4-27-2003, p. 28
The Chancel Choir has continued its tradition of leading our regular
Sunday worship services. In addition to regular offering anthems during
our services, the Chancel Choir provided a special program of anthems for
Pentecost Sunday.
Choir members were among the small groups and soloists that added to
our summer services.
In July 2002, our Sanctuary was the setting for the
Green Lake Festival of Music choral performance. Sir David Willcocks,
the world's foremost choral conductor, and his son Jonathan, lead the
choir. He played both the Steinway grand piano and the organ, and
pronounced them both to be of the highest quality. Sir David collected,
edited, and composed a collection of Christmas anthems that has become
the backbone of Christmas music throughout the world. He prepared a
choir for an afternoon performance of a Festival of Nine Lessons and
Carols. I was honored to accompany the choir on one of the
selections. Sir David announced his retirement from conducting at the
age of 82, which means that this concert was one his last in our area.
Both Willcocks and the choir consider the acoustic of
First Congregational Church to be among the finest in which they have
performed. And that was before the 1950's wall that shut out the balcony
was removed in January 2003. The acoustic of the Sanctuary has improved
by at least 100% because of two factors: first, the carpeting around the
organ was removed; second, the wall was removed.
Removal of carpeting has had as great an effect as removing the wall,
because sound bounces up and down. Before the blue 1976 carpeting,
green wool carpeting had been laid down. We do not know the date. The
result was to seriously dampen and muffle the brilliance and brightness
of the organ and of the choir.
Several members and friends contributed their voices and instruments
to enrich our services. They were: Laurel Sanders, Joyce Andrews,
Ken Snart, Kevin Frank, Sarah Crawford, Karen LaBorde, Kate Bauknecht,
Tanya and James Paulson, Juliana DiGiosia, Linda Ruona, Kay Qualley,
Jared Stellmacher, Emily Westover, Eric and Rachel Schwebke, Bradd Yenor,
and Jonathan Yackel.
The Christmas services featured carols from around the world
- Finnish, French, Mexican, Korean, and Native American songs were
grouped together. Heidi Burnett played the recorder for this program.
Joanne Peterson
Chancel Choir Director/Organist
2001 Report of the Chancel Choir Director/Organist
- 4-28-2002, p. 24
Our Chancel Choir has continued its fine work in leading our Sunday
worship services and providing special musical selections.
The Seven Last Words, in a setting by John Harmon, was offered on
Palm/Passion Sunday. The Chancel Choir also joined the choir from
First Presbyterian Church with Jesus Loves Me, which we sang
together in both sanctuaries. The Georgia Guitar Quartet joined us for
Sunday worship, certainly a first time event for FCC. Jim Weiland and
the Geriatric Jazz Band provided a lively worship for us, as did a
springtime appearance of the Generation to Generation Singers, under the
direction of Robin Oxley.
We as a congregation have heard four young organists during the past
year, Ryan Albashian, Laurel Sanders, and Jared Stellmacher are the
future organists in the greater church. Mark Bloedow, who has played
many times as well as conducting our choir, will be relocating to
Madison for a full time Director of Music Ministry position. He will be
missed.
Many members and friends provided special music during our services.
Juliana DiGiosia, Heather Anderson, Randy Sorenson, Jacob Linenthal,
Kris Schwebke, Rachel Schwebke, Chris Hallquist, Sara Kidd,
Alice Hoffmeister, Anders Taylor, Steve and Vivian Hazell, Bradd Yenor,
Pat Hallquist, Ken Snart, Ed Schneider, Willis Buettner, and
Mary Ellen Pung participated throughout the year.
A hymn sing before the services was an opportunity to become better
acquainted with our new hymnal.
Special music for the Christmas Pageant was provided by
Kate Bauknecht, Rachel Schwebke, Amanda Becker, Molly Schlaak,
Amber Prellwitz, Cody Hanson, and Eric Hallquist.
For the Christmas season young pianists played Gathering Music for
the afternoon service. We heard Valerie Williams, Kevin Frank,
Sam and Molly Schlaak.
Sunday, December 23rd the Chancel Choir and great musicians
offered The Song of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ
by Marc-Antoine Charpentier. Joining us for this special service were
Erica Bavlinka, Kristine Kaiser, James Grine, Juliana DiGiosia and
Anders Taylor.
We are always happy to welcome anyone who would like to sing with
us. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 pm and Sunday
mornings from 9:30 - 10:20 am. We will be organizing some
"one time only" groups for summer services. This would be a great way
to try out the choir.
Joanne Peterson
Chancel Choir Director/Organist
2000 Report of the Chancel Choir Director/Organist
- 4-22-2001, p. 23
Our Chancel Choir continued its fine work in leading our Sunday
worship services and providing special musical selections. A Lenten
program offered settings from the Psalmsby Henrich Schuetz, with
paraphrases of the texts of Jaroslav Vajda. We enjoyed our ecumenical
brass quartet, which we shared with First Presbyterian Church, for
festive Easter music.
Since the chancel area was being repaired and walls painted, the
organ was wrapped in plastic, and we utilized our historic Steinway grand
during the summer months. Ensembles that were heard included a
Family Choir, a Summer Choir, and a Women's Ensemble.
?
These musicians shared their talents with us throughout the year:
Tony Hengst, Pat, Chris, and Eric Hallquist, Laura Salzwedel,
Laurel Sanders, Bradd Yenor, Jeff Dyer, Juliana DiGiosia, Nathan Oxley,
Nathan Braun, and Kristine Anderson.
A tradition in recent years is to have young players play the
Gathering Music for the afternoon Christmas Eve service. In 2000, we
heard Pam Sohm, Franki Sue Mayer, Valerie Williams, Sam and Molly Schlaak
and Kelsey Taylor.
The Chancel Choir also presented an Advent program,
The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittus, by Ralph Vaughan Williams and
Joys Seven arranged by Stephen Cleobury.
We observed the resignation of Bill Sanders from the choir,
for health reasons. Members who moved away included Tony Karl,
Lorie Yaste, and Christine Jameson. We are always happy to welcome
anyone who would like to sing with us. Rehearsals are Wednesday
evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 pm and Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 10:20 am.
We will be organizing some "one time only" groups for summer services.
This would be a great way to try out the choir.
Joanne Peterson, Chancel Choir Director/Organist
1999 Report of the Chancel Choir Director/Organist
- 4-30-200?, p. 26-7
The Chancel Choir has continued its fine tradition of offering
special music throughout the year. Leadership for music in the service
is its primary responsibility.
Mass in G by Franz Schubert was presented during the Lenten
season, March 21, 1999. Our choir was accompanied by a chamber orchestra
comprised of Pat Dwyer-Hallquist and Kris Schwebke, first violin;
Kate Harrell and Joshua Goodwin, second violin, Laura Salzwedel and
Rachel Gratz, viola; Ed Bowen, cello; Nancy Kaphaem, bass violin; and
Brian Wideman, organ. Soloists for this work were Elisa Nemecek,
Ken Snart and Jeffrey Dyer.
Our clergy always prepare meditations based on the texts for these
musical services, bringing additional insight to choir and congregation.
We were also privileged to sing a Kyrie setting by Joel Dennis on
Palm Sunday. This is the first portion of a new mass planned by this youthful composer.
We also have heard a guest bell choir, the Heavenly Bells, from
Fond du Lac.
Among new selections by this choir this year were compositions by
Hopson, Marshall, Feguson, Ellingboe, and Schickele.
For the Advent season the choir prepared the J.S. Bach cantata
For Unto Us a Child is Born. Soloists were Carol Niendorf, alto,
Ken Snart, tenor, and Jeffrey Dyer, bass.
We anticipate more members joining our ranks. Anyone who would like
to sing is most welcome to attend rehearsals on Wednesday evening at
7:00 pm and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am.
Joanne Peterson, Chancel Choir Director/Organist
Ralph DiBiasio-Snyder and
Carol DiBiasio-Snyder, Co-Pastors
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