The music committee supports our choir director, Rebecca Maze, who does a wonderful job selecting our music, choosing guest musicians, and conducting the choir. (click image to see lovely 1994 holiday service photo!)

 

Also see the choir pages for more on music! More photos! More news!

Music Committee News

November 2006

Music Meeting Results

Approximately 15 people, more than half of them non-choir members, attended our discussion of Live Oak’s musical future last month. We exchanged many thoughts about the direction our music programs should take and I felt it was very productive.

Some suggestions included: having more youth and children from the church perform, creating a children’s choir, having more quartets and small groups of singers, inviting other choirs to come sing at our church, having more informal sing-alongs on stage during the service, using more drumming during services, having shorter-term choirs to get more people involved who are not able to attend regular weekly rehearsals, and a possible chimes choir (a less costly type of bell choir). All were enthusiastic about introducing the new hymnal supplement to the congregation over the next few months and, if the songs are well received, starting a hymnal drive to purchase those. Some felt that having song leaders to both teach the new hymns before the service at the beginning of the Prelude time (10:20) and to lead them during the service, would be useful. Also, the need for more musical support during FRED and offering children’s choir and music classes during that time was mentioned.

Some of these suggestions are already being implemented. The first Sunday in November we will invite congregation members up on stage to sing a familiar and fun tune (to be announced!) and we hope the response to that will be as good as it was when we sang Over the Rainbow not too long ago. I would also like to invite anyone interested to form a three-week choir during the month of December to prepare carols for our Christmas Eve service. That invitation is extended especially to non-choir members. I have asked Brent Baldwin, choir director at First UU, to choose a time for his choir to come sing at our church (we recently sang at his church), and we are really looking forward to that. Also, the choir has begun to sing selections from the new hymnal supplement in church.

One of the issues most discussed was the noise level in the sanctuary during the Prelude. This has been a topic in Worship Committee for years! It continues to be a challenge. It was thought that once we had a building in which people did not walk directly into the worship space, that the talking could take place in the foyer and narthex and that the sanctuary would naturally inspire a more meditative feeling as people entered to music. However, this has not been the case, and many in our meeting felt there is a lack of respect shown to both those members and visitors who want to listen quietly and to the person or people who are performing. The Worship Committee and the greeters are now working together to try to make a more contemplative environment by ringing the chimes at 10:20, closing the sanctuary doors to shut out narthex noise, and beginning the Prelude. At 10:30 another set of chimes will ring to signal the beginning of the service. Of course, people are welcome to enter during the Prelude, as long as they can enter quietly and keep the talking on a low level so as to not disturb others. After all, we have lots of space for people who want to converse outside of the sanctuary!

I want to thank all of you who came to the meeting. Time is hard for all of us to come by! It really does mean a lot just to have had you there and to have listened and exchanged so many good ideas. It gave me a list of things to refer to, at least for the next six months or so! Any of you who would have liked to have been part of the discussion but could not come are welcome to email me (rmaze@austin.rr.com). We may have a repeat meeting of that sort in the spring.

Rebecca Maze, Director of Music

September 2006

What is Live Oak’s Musical Future?

This is a question I have been cogitating on this summer, having had some time to do so! What lies ahead?

In the last few years we have made great progress, thanks to the leadership of Craig Fredlund. With the help of so many church members we succeeded in raising $20,000 for a grand piano, and after a long search, again with many of us looking diligently, we found our perfect match in Sasha (the name given to our piano by her previous owner, Danielle Martin).

Thanks to Glenn McIntosh, the Live @ Live Oak jazz nights have brought some amazing musicians to some very lucky, although small, audiences. If you have not been to one yet, you are missing something!

It is time for us to consider what we want to achieve next. There are many options. Do we want to give more attention to children and youth in our music programs, and if so, how? Are there other types of music that we should begin to nurture in our church? The possibilities are too numerous for me to name – which is where you come in!

On Sunday, September 17, after the Town Hall meeting, the Music Committee would like to invite you to attend a session of thinking (and eating) about our church’s musical vision. We will be in the Fellowship Hall, with light lunch food and pencils and paper, and a desire to know what you think! Give us some ideas! We want our music program to follow your wishes, and we would like to know what those of you not directly involved in music think. What possibilities do you imagine?

Hope to see many of you there!

Rebecca Maze, Music Director, 266-2246
 

August 2006

New Season Begins for LOUU Music

It’s time to get the creative juices flowing! The languid days of summer are coming to a close and it’s time to regroup and make some music!

There are a number of ways for any of you musical folks to take part. For those who enjoy singing, there are the choir, occasional children’s choir, and the open-to-all Sing with the Choir Sundays.

No auditions are necessary for choir, but singers should have a basic understanding of music reading (rusty skills can be polished). We sing three times per month, usually with the third and fifth Sundays off. We meet Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm in the Choir Portable (at the end of the RE hall, outside). The first rehearsal is August 30.

The children’s choir comes together on rare occasions. The Sing with the Choir Sundays are more frequent. Both events will be announced on the Live Oak “announce” email list and in the Orders of Service, as the occasion arises.

Instrumentalists of all kinds are also welcome! Please make yourself known to the Director of Music, Rebecca Maze (rmaze@austin.rr.com), and we will find a time for you to play. We frequently have ensembles, as well as solo players, in church. And we need more pianists who are able to be substitute hymn players!

Lots more information on the music programs are available in our music brochure, which is available in the narthex. It’s fun to make music, and the Live Oak audience is the best! Come get started with us!

 

August 2005

Here's an example of the variety of music offered at Live Oak! During the summer, youngsters practiced songs, which resulted in a Youth Choir, which sung for the Water Ceremony, in August.

 

April 2005

Youth Music Showcase

By popular demand, the Music Committee is again hosting a Youth Music Showcase. Any youth who are interested in performing a song or two at this wonderful event are asked to contact the event’s organizer, Eddie Collins at 873-7803 or tuneman@texas.net.

February 2005

Now that Sasha is safely tucked in in the sanctuary and is feeling quite at home, a collective sigh of relief was heard at the last Music Committee meeting. Then we thought, “What do we do now?” So we had a little brainstorming session. As a result, we’ve adopted a theme this year and that theme is Building Community Through Music. Here are just a few of the ideas we’ve brainstormed: sponsoring a concert for UU musicians from Austin-area churches and fellowships; a YoUUth Music Showcase; getting a Live Oak Ensemble together; a drumming circle; starting a hand chimes group. We also discussed a UU Song­circle; there is an interest in teaching a music theory or music education class; you will also see more recitals in the upcoming year. We are also excited about the Live @ Live Oak (jazz) series that’s in the works, and adding more music books to the library. Also coming very shortly is a Lunch On Sasha Day … well, maybe not lunch ON Sasha exactly, but the Music Committee will host a lunch that for once won’t have the omnipresent donation jar out, as a thank you for everyone’s help in acquiring our piano.

So this year we are excited about how music affects lives and how we come together in community, through song, dance, rhythm, and words. I invite everyone to feel the beat of Live Oak!

Craig Fredlund

January 2005

Happy New Year! What a fantastic 2004 for the Music Program at our church. We hosted a successful Services Auction, had a wonderful Kids’ Concert, sev­eral great guest artists, and to top it all off, Sasha, our beautiful new grand piano, has now been officially welcomed in her new home.

The Music Committee is now turning its sights on 2005. We have some goodies planned for the upcom­ing year. If you’re interested in joining the Music Committee, just drop me an email at craigf@austin.rr.com.

November 2004

I would like to introduce you to Sasha. About 50 years ago she was born in the Steinway and Sons factory in lower Manhattan. Sasha is a Steinway Model B, which means she’s 6’10½” long, 58” wide, and weighs 760 pounds. For most of her life, Sasha lived under the care of Danielle Martin, a professor of piano and head of the School of Music’s keyboard division at the University of Texas. Ms. Martin was on the UT faculty since 1972. Though her passing was a terrible tragedy, Live Oak’s acquisition of this magnificent instrument will help seed a memorial scholar­ship fund in her name.

Sasha will be coming to her new home in the next couple of weeks. There will be a period of adjust­ment, both for us and for her. Sasha will need to settle in, be tuned and regulated, adjusted, and minor modifications done to make her comfortable. We will be getting a permanent truck (dolly), a cover, and a lock for her keyboard. Once everything is arranged, a mover will bring her into the sanctuary with a special piano moving system.

I can’t thank all of you enough for your enormous support and Herculean efforts in acquiring this instrument. Danielle Martin’s legacy will surely become the foundation for Live Oak’s musical future!

Craig Fredlund, Chair, Music Committee

July 2004

We had a successful Kids Music Recital Sunday, June 20. I want to offer a huge THANK YOU to all our young people who participated! Also I would like to thank Eddie Collins for putting on such a wonderful show. It takes a lot of courage to go before an audience, especially for first time performers. All I can offer are words of encouragement, and take every opportunity to play or sing for anyone who will listen.

We also had a CD Sale for Father’s Day. Thank you to Martha Nethers for organizing that event! Both the CD Sale and the Kids Talent Show earned another $402 for the Grand Piano Fund!

I would like to encourage anyone to come to the Music Committee meetings. I generally try to announce the next meeting at least a week in advance. Diane Schultz recently set up a new email group for the Music Committee. If you would like to join the list, send a blank email to LOUUMusicCommittee-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and subscribe.

Craig Fredlund

June 2004

The Music Committee met Sunday, May 23, after the Congregational Meeting. We had several topics under discussion, mainly concentrating on the upcoming Kids Talent Show and the CD Sale on Father’s Day, June 20, and on the search for a Grand Piano. If you have a child or teenager interested in singing a song or playing a tune, please contact Eddie Collins at tuneman@texas.net or Mary Pritchard at merrygold@pobox.com.

 We also discussed the upcoming search for the Grand Piano. We will begin the search sometime in June, with scouting trips scheduled roughly every two or three weeks or as time permits. We anticipate ranging as far as Dallas-Fort Worth and perhaps Houston and San Antonio, in addition to looking at pianos available locally. Why go so far away? Pianos are like people; each piano has its own unique qualities. When we evaluate a piano, we will do so recognizing that there is no such thing as a perfect instrument. Our selection will be based on a series of compromises evaluating such qualities as timbre, touch, depth in the lower registers, and brightness in the upper registers. Purchasing an instrument is an investment in the future of Live Oak. We have worked hard as a congregation to raise the capital – we want to be sure we choose the best instrument available for the money we have.

 We will post announcements of upcoming trips in the Live Oak announce newsgroup. If you would be interested in going, please feel free to contact me: craigf@austin.rr.com.

 The next Music Committee meeting is scheduled for June 27 at noon. Please join us!

 Craig Fredlund, Music Committee Chair

May 2004

As the chairperson of the Music Committee, I am always in awe of, and enthralled by, the musical talent shown by members of our Live Oak community. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful musicians as our Music Director, Rebecca Maze, the members of our choir, Eddie Collins, and others too numerous to list. I am especially appreciative of the efforts put forth by Jan and Joe Nesheim’s Woodwind Ensemble. We have so many talented young people. At the last Music Committee meeting, plans began for a Live Oak Youth Talent Show. Recently, Eddie Collins sent out an invitation for this event to the Live Oak UU announce group and I would like to formalize the invitation!

Give Dad a special Father’s Day treat. On Sunday, June 20, the youth of our church are invited to share their musical talents in a mini-concert in the sanctuary from 2:00-3:00 pm. Eddie, along with Mary Pritchard, will act as coordinator and emcee for this special event. This concert will give the youth a chance to help with the growth of our church and a collection will be taken in support of the Grand Piano Fund.

Our youngsters are the very future of Live Oak! Music is the common thread that weaves itself through our community and becomes the focal point for many of our rituals such as the labyrinth dedication and the Christmas Eve service. I am proud of the musical talent of our youth! Thank you!

Craig Fredlund

LIVE OAK YOUTH MUSIC SHOW

On Sunday, June 20, the youth of our church are invited to share their musical talents in a mini-concert to be held in the sanctuary from 2:00-3:00 pm. Anyone willing to perform a piece on an instrument or sing a song is encouraged to participate. Adult accompaniment is fine as long as the focus is on our student performers. Those who would like to perform are asked to contact Eddie Collins (873-7803 or tuneman@texas.net). Eddie, along with Mary Pritchard, will act as coordinator and emcee for this special event. This concert will give the youth a chance to help with the growth of our church as a collection will be taken in support of the Grand Piano Fund. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. The Music Committee will host a CD sale prior to and just after the concert.

April 2004

The Services Auction held February 21 was a huge success! The Music Committee raised $3600 after expenses for the Grand Piano Fund! I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who came and participated in this event.

The Services Auction would not have happened were it not for the talents and hard work of many folks. I want to express my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the following: Mary Pritchard and Eddie Collins, the Co-Captains and organizers of the event; Gary Schumann, our own Live Oaker auctioneer; Diane Schultz for editing and publishing the Auction Catalog; Katherine Enyart, who handled the Registration Table; Juanita Moshier and Rebecca Maze for the efforts in cooking all that food (along with Craig himself, adds the editor); and all the wonderful people who helped with decorating and cleanup. I also want to thank everyone who provided a service or item for the Silent Auction and who contributed to the raffle table. This was the heart of the Services Auction. If it wasn’t for your contributions, we would not have been able to add such a significant amount to the Grand Piano Fund.

Thank you!

I would also like to invite anyone interested in the music life of our church to attend the upcoming Music Committee meeting. It will be held April 4 at 12:15 pm, immediately after the Grand Piano Fund lunch and immediately before the performance of J.B. If you can’t make the meeting but have suggestions, feel free to drop me an email to craigf@austin.rr.com .

Thanks,

Craig

LAST GRAND PIANO FUND LUNCH TILL SEPTEMBER

Come eat soup and sandwiches with us the first Sunday in April! This will be (almost) the last benefit for the Grand Piano Fund until next school year. Each month brings us closer to our goal of $20,000 – we stand at around $17,600. Many thanks to you for your generosity!

PIANO RECITAL APRIL 18

Would you like to bring your family to hear a few of the most well known pieces in piano literature? This is the idea behind a recital to be given by Charlotte Tull, retired professor of piano from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. The program will include works by Chopin, Mozart, and Beethoven. She has graciously offered to play it for us in our sanctuary at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 18. The Music Committee will supply sandwich fixings for those of you who will be staying for the recital, at 12:15 in the Fellowship Hall. Donations will benefit the Grand Piano Fund. Ms. Tull is a former teacher and personal friend of our music director, and we are hoping for a large turn out. Children are welcome!

 

February 2004

DON’T MISS THIS PIANO RECITAL!

Dr. Timothy Woolsey has graciously agreed to perform a piano recital to benefit Live Oak’s Grand Piano Fund. It will take place February 8 at 1:00 pm in the sanctuary.

In an increasingly active career, Timothy Woolsey has given over 100 performances and masterclasses during the past several years. Recent performances have included solo recitals at the Phillips Collection and the National Gallery of Art (both broadcast to audiences of 75,000 in the Washington, D.C., area), a lecture-recital on the 18^th-century fortepiano at the Texas Music Teachers Association Convention, and a lecture-recital on the piano music of Alexander Scriabin at the MTNA National Convention in Little Rock.

He has also performed with the East Texas Symphony, at Shatin City Hall in Hong Kong, and at many colleges and universities in Texas and throughout the United States. His solo programs include works he has commissioned from leading Texas composers, and he recently recorded these works for Centaur Records.

He is currently Professor of Piano at Texas State University. He has been nominated by the School of Fine Arts for the University’s Teaching Excellence Award four times, and in 1988 he was one of three finalists selected for this award out of a faculty of over 700. In 1993 he was selected by the Texas Music Teachers Association as Collegiate Teacher of the Year.

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with John Perry. He also studied with Anne Koscielny at the Hartt School of Music and has coached with many other eminent teachers including Frank Mannheimer, Lilian Kallir, and Roy Hamlin Johnson. In addition, he has studied with Malcolm Bilson, the world-renowned fortepianist.

Our Music Director, Rebecca Maze, is currently a student of Dr. Woolsey. We are so pleased to have him offering his talent to benefit the Grand Piano Fund!

Grand Piano Fund

Lots of you are interested in the progress of our grand piano fund. We have over $13,265.43 now, and our goal is around $20,000. In addition to several fundraisers scheduled for this month, we have an ongoing fundraiser, the ink cartridge collection in room 103. (Look for the box under the mailboxes.)

      It is necessary that the piano be of the appropriate size for our sanctuary, which is 6 feet. It should have a beautiful tone and good action (the response of the keys when you play them). It should be well constructed, to withstand many years with no major repairs. In order to find a good piano that will fulfill the above at a reasonable price, I believe a used piano of excellent quality would be best.

      Picking a piano is not going to be an easy task, and it is obviously not something I intend to do on my own. Playing piano is quite a different skill than purchasing a piano, although I am doing my best to inform myself. There is tremendous variance in the workmanship, construction, and materials used in the many brands available, and there are even good and bad pianos of the same “make and model”. It would be helpful to have several church people with a bit of knowledge and experience to bring this purchase about as the fund draws nearer to our goal.

      For our beautiful sanctuary, we want a piano that will:

	enhance the musical aspect of our services
	attract artists for church and community benefit concerts (not just classical)
	increase the desirability of our space for rental
	be a draw for district conferences using music
	be a good investment for the church
	have a long life

      Thanks to all who have supported this effort. Collecting this much money has happened much faster than I originally reckoned on – it’s only been about four years. I never imagined it would take less than 10! I am amazed at your generosity.

Rebecca

January 2004

SHARE YOUR GIFTS

After missing a year, the Services Auction is back to support a great cause. Let’s get a grand piano in our sanctuary! We are looking for services to be donated by our ultra talented congregation. Tentative time for the auction is mid-February. Please let Mary Pritchard or Eddie Collins know what your donation may be. Hand knit socks, yummy meals, dog walking, or sharing your organizational skills, music … We are a talented bunch of people! Let’s put our skills to work for a good cause, a good time, and good company.

Past Music Committee News

Learn what our musical team has been up to!

2002-2003 * 1999-2001