Dallas Ice

After spending four days in temperatures that never reached 20 degrees in Kansas City, I came home to experience what we in Dallas consider an "ice storm". Mind you it was only 0.14 inches of freezing rain and sleet, but nonetheless a mess that paralyzed the city. By the way, thanks to Scott and Brad for getting my weather website up and running. I'm able to check out current weather at my house from anywhere at www.crookweather.com. Yes, I know I'm a nerd.

Kansas City

So many highlights to the past weekend...where do I start? I spent Thursday evening at two rehearsals at Village Presbyterian in Prairie Village. This church has a tremendous music ministry and a rich heritage. Check out their website. Mark Ball is the Director of Music; Stephan Casurella the Organist; and Matthew Shepard is the Youth Choir Director. What a team! I so enjoyed getting to know these guys and their work. I brought back lots of ideas for my choir and tremendous personal connections that will be lasting. On Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of hearing the Village youth choir perform on a concert with the William Jewell College Choir. I cannot say enough about how impressed I was with this youth choir. Many thanks to Mark and his team for allowing me to invade their lives for a weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, I spent time at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. COR is known as a great teaching church in our denomination. It is currently the largest UM church in the nation. There are many interesting things about this church. One is the dual music ministry. There is a Director of Contemporary Music, Lance Winkler; and a Director of Traditional Music, Kevin Bogan. Each have their own staff. Both guys were very gracious to spend time with me and allow me to visit their rehearsals.

On Sunday evening, I was granted permission to observe the Kansas City Chorale in rehearsal. I've followed this ensemble and their director, Charles Bruffy, for many years. In my opinion (and many others) this is one of the finest professional choirs in the country. Charles spends his time flying back and forth each week between KC and Phoenix, where he conducts the Phoenix Chorale. It was a special treat to spend time with composer Mark Hayes, as he was accompanying the chorale's rehearsal. They are preparing to record his new setting of the Gloria next week. The rehearsal space was packed full of collective musical genius! I am sorry I didn't remember to take pictures at that rehearsal, but I think it was because I was sitting there in awe the entire time.

I must admit that I am somewhat anxious about my upcoming trip. First of all, I've never been on a month-long trip before...I won't be back to Dallas until March 1. Secondly, I will be spending time with folks who do not know me, in places that are unfamiliar. I am so humbled by their willingness to work with me. I'll be in California the first half of February and then Utah the second half. My time will be spent primarily with two conductors, Don Neuen (UCLA and Crystal Cathedral) and Ron Staheli (BYU). But I have also connected via email with other musicians who've invited me to their rehearsals and concerts. Okay, as I type this, my anxiety is turning to excitement again. So, back to packing for two completely different climates!

The weekend in Austin

It was an absolutely perfect weekend with my friend Georgia in Austin. She was so kind to open her home to me, and we only stopped talking twice...the two times we were in church. My friend John Erickson suggested I visit St. Mary's Cathedral for mass, so that is where we spent our Sunday morning. John's good friend, Philip Baker, is organist there. The choir sang well, and of course Philip played well. Sunday evening was quite interesting and a first for me. We visited St. David's Episcopal for the Compline service. I couldn't imagine a better way to end the day. The small choir was quite good, and the candlelit atmosphere surely helped the handful of listeners focus our minds and hearts on the texts and prayers presented.

Now I must give kudos to Georgia for her driving. Cruising down 6th Street in her Porsche Cayman was the best...and you've not lived until you experience a "little dance" in the Cayman.

Tomorrow I plan to observe Dr. Pam Elrod's rehearsal at SMU. I'll be in Kansas City this weekend, then back in Dallas for a brief time before heading out to California and Utah for an extended time of study and observation. Have a great week, my friends. You are always on my mind. (Sorry...couldn't resist the connection to Willie and Austin)

Pulaski Heights UMC, Little Rock

My friend Mark Acker is one of the most amazing church musicians in the country. Mark spent a huge part of his career directing the music ministry at Brentwood UMC near Nashville, TN. During those years, he built and sustained quite possibly the strongest youth choir program anywhere. Mark is now Minister of Worship and Music at PHUMC. Jim Maase, another great church musician, is their Director of Music and Arts. These two share duties at the organ and in front of the choir. The choir is very strong, and worship at PHUMC is carefully planned and well-executed.

Mark is so humble and sincere. I'm not quite sure he realizes how much of an impact his life and his ministry have made in church music over the years. To be able to call him a dear friend is an added bonus for me. Thank you Mark, and thank you Jim....for allowing me to sing in your choir and to visit with you and learn from you. God bless you both.

Ellen Sullivan and Dr. Richard Joiner

My final week in MS was a very special one. I spent Wednesday and Thursday in Tylertown. It is a small town in the southwest part of the state. While a junior at Mississippi College, I served as the Interim Minister of Music at Tylertown Baptist Church. At the time, Ellen Sullivan was the pianist. Ellen, her late husband Jerry, and daughter Lee Ellen found a special place in my heart that year. Jerry passed away a few years ago, and Ellen, Lee Ellen and I have remained in touch. For the past several years, Ellen has directed the music ministry at Tylertown UMC. I'm so proud of the work she has done at that church. I honestly believe Ellen and I could talk for days without stopping and without repeating anything. What a gift it was to share this time with her. And the great news is that our youth choir will be singing at her church this summer!

Dr. Richard Joiner is a retired choral conductor and music educator. He was my choral conductor and voice teacher at Mississippi College from 1992-1996. Shortly after that time, he and his wife Marilyn moved to Jackson, TN, where he was head of the music department at Union University. He retired this year, and they moved back to Clinton. Dr. Joiner could have had many more years in the music ed. world, but...in his words...he wanted to quit conducting while he was still singing. I cannot begin to put into words how I feel about this man. He was so much more than a voice teacher or a choral conductor to me. He was my mentor. He was my friend. And he remains so this day. His wife Marilyn prepared a wonderful southern-style supper one night then I went back and talked "business" with Dr. J the next day. I hope we have many more opportunities to sit and chat like we did that day.

Thank you, Dr. Joiner...and thank you Ellen...for your important role in my journey. I surely would not be where I am or who I am without you.

Peachtree Road UMC, Atlanta

The music and worship at Peachtree Road UMC http://www.prumc.org/ is of the Anglican tradition. They recently installed a new antiphonal organ in the rear balcony that really helps to fill the room with sound. The Director of Music, Scott Atchison, is also the primary organist. I had a chance to visit with him after worship. I believe he is now in his 26th year at PRUMC. Wow! While in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to have lunch with a friend and former St. Andrew member, Julia Murray. Julia, Doug, Rachel and Reid are very active at Roswell UMC where Julia is working hard in missions, and specifically disaster relief and preparedness. They've taken many teams from RUMC to the Mississippi Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina. Our time together on Saturday was very special. They plan to visit the Dallas area in the late Spring, so I hope we see them at St. Andrew then.

I'm back with my family in MS to celebrate my birthday and spend a bit more time with little Kaleb. Then I head south into the state to reconnect with a few more folks. More on that in a few days. Have a wonderful week, my friends!

Ray Burke and Virginia Cole

As I mentioned in an early post, one of the blessings of this time is reconnecting with some of the folks who greatly influenced my musical journey through the years. This week, I had the privilege of visiting with two of those people. When I was a child, one of several great organists at my home church, First Baptist of Amory. was Mrs. Virginia Cole. When I showed an interest in the organ in high school, it was Mrs. Cole who taught me the basics of registration and pedaling. She must have had the patience of Job. I had so many questions and depended on her wisdom and experience. Throughout my high school years, she made me comfortable with the king of instruments. We played many organ and piano duets together. We composed hymn interludes and introductions. Those memories bring a huge smile to my face. Today, Mrs. Cole is barely able to get out of her home. She does not play anymore. After recently breaking both hips, it is difficult for her to even walk in the house. We sat and talked for over an hour on Tuesday. I wouldn't trade that time for anything. It reminded me of the many, many times in high school when I would stop by, have a glass of lemonade, and talk about church music for hours on end. Thank you, Virginia Cole, for igniting and fueling my passion for the organ. [Note: Even though I haven't changed a bit, the picture of me and Mrs. Cole was actually taken in 1991 at my high school senior recital.]

Ray Burke is the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Amory. Ray took this position when I was only 6 months old! Now in his 36th year of serving this great church, Ray is an amazing example of what I strive to be. Throughout the years, he has challenged his choirs to pursue excellence in what they do, for he realizes his call and influence as a music educator in addition to his role as a minister. He has inspired quite a few young people to pursue degrees in music and then careers in music education and church music. His passion as a conductor excites both the singer and the listener. But perhaps most importantly, he is a man of compassion and integrity.

I learned to conduct a 4/4 pattern in children's choirs at FBC. It was Ray who first believed in me enough to give me an opportunity to accompany a youth choir anthem. (The anthem was Mary McDonald's "Sing and Be Not Silent".) It was Ray who offered the organist position to me as a high school student. That early experience with hymn playing and accompanying choirs was invaluable. It was Ray and his wife Becky who helped me discern my calling into church music. It was Ray who led me to his alma mater, Mississippi College. Thank you, Ray, for so much more than you (or even I) will ever realize. No one person has influenced me and my passion for church music as much as you.

May God continue to bless Virginia and Ray...and may their legacies live on through those of us who've been blessed to know and learn from them.