It is a bit surreal to be writing my second-to-last article. After 22 years my time at OCUUC is drawing to a close as my last day with you all will be September 10th. I am experiencing lots of "this will be the last time I…" as I am wrapping up my responsibilities. A crack search committee is working hard to find an interim music director to manage things while an official search (with Rev. Sian) for a long-term music director occurs.
We enjoyed a lovely Music Under the Stars in mid-July, and we had the most performers of any Music Under the Stars this time around!
I've been enjoying all the special music on Sun-day mornings this summer while the choir is off - the Ibáñez family, Phil Chipman, Craig Spery, Susan Shaw, Amy Tompkins, Steve & Barbara Morihiro, Sarah Kim-ball, and Amelia Russo-Neustadt. So many talented musicians in our congregation! Plus we've enjoyed special guests Kole Yoshi and Taylor Cox, both from Orange Coast College.
I am feeling deep gratitude for all of you who I have had the pleasure of collaborating with for all these years, for all the things I've learned through my association with OCUUC, and for all the wonderful experiences I've had. I have a few weeks left to create music with you all and I plan to make the most of it.
Some of you have asked if I plan to come back to church as a congregant. Unfortunately, I will need to keep my distance from church and church activities for a year (just like ministers do when they retire/leave), to give the new music director a chance to get settled in without me looking over their shoulder.
Many of you are engaged with my adoption work, and we can continue that association, as long as we don't talk about the church. After a year is up, I hope Jan and I can stop by and enjoy special events with you all again.
With deep gratitude,
Beth Syverson
Director of Music Ministries
Beth Syverson was Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Director of Music Ministries for 22 years.