We are so lucky at OCUUC to have such dedicated and talented musicians in our ranks. Orange Coast Choir is practicing every Thursday at 7pm and we're usually singing 3 times per month in the Sunday services. If you're interested in singing with us, or just trying it out, come on over on a Thursday, or contact me anytime. Orange Coast Choir meets in Daniels Hall and on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/581556612. The only two requirements to get into the choir are that you can match pitch and follow directions. Since we don't often line out everyone's name in the choir, I thought I'd do that here, so you can all share my gratitude for these individuals who make up the choir: Phyllis Kaplan (our newest member!), Ginny Chan, Phil Chipman, Eva Goodwin-Noriega, Renee Hsia, Bob Loeschen, Nancy Loughrey, Ted Lundholm, Barbara Morihiro, Steve Morihiro, Barbara Schilling, Susan Shaw, Stacy Smith, Craig Spery, and Amy Tompkins. There are a few choir members who are on hiatus right now, but who have sung with us regularly in the past - Sheri Loeschen, Maureen McConaghy, and Jeffrey Silcock.
I'd also like to acknowledge the volunteers who cover for me on the one Sunday per month I have off: It's usually Steve Morihiro and Susan Shaw who organize the services and provide the leadership. Often helping them are Phil Chipman, Joel Ibanez, JoLynn Ibanez, Craig Spery, and Amy Tompkins. I'm so grateful for Steve's and Susan's conscientiousness and discipline. When I'm on my day off I relax knowing full well that the music is in very good hands.
We are grateful for the instrumentalists we have in our congregation as well - Guitarist and Bass Guitarist Phil Chipman, Flutist Sarah Kimball, Guitarist Amy Tompkins, Harmonica player Randy Kokal, Pianist Steve Morihiro, Oboist Amelia Russo-Neustadt, Harpist Barbara Schilling, and Ukulele Player Susan Shaw. Our new A/V tech Avery Brown is also a wonderful singer and pianist who shared their talent at Music Under the Stars. Maybe someday we'll get them up to play something on a Sunday morning, too. If you play an instrument and would like to participate in music at OCUUC, just let me know so I can figure out the best way to fit you in.
Next time you see one of the people I've listed here, please tell them how the music at OCUUC inspires you, improves your mood, or challenges you. They dedicate many hours to their craft, and I want them to know how much we all are grateful for each and every one of them.
Musically Yours,
Beth Syverson
Director of Music Ministries
Beth Syverson was Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Director of Music Ministries for 22 years.