We have some wonderful worship services planned for March, with some really great music. As always, we welcome new instrumentalists and singers – experience not necessary, just come along for the ride and the community. Email me for information (music@fusn.org).

March 1 is the Annual Budget Drive Kickoff, always a fun and important service. The choir is singing a gospel tune by Rawn Harbor, an African-American Catholic musician from the Bay Area. His piece, “Spirit,” has been arranged by Dr. Barbara Wesley Baker, an “internationally noted conductor and educator. [She] conducts the Women’s, Men’s, Concert Chorale, Gospel, and Chamber Choirs at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland, and for 24 years has directed the Gospel Choir at Colesville United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.” You may recall hearing one of her most famous arrangements, “The Storm Is Passing Over.” And…on March 1 we’ll also be singing a mashup of two tunes many of you will know – we’re hoping you’ll sing along!

March 8 is the annual This I Believe service, always a moving and interesting time. Bob MacWilliams and his COA mentee will provide some of the music. On March 15 the choir will sing….something, and a few singers will present “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen, ably accompanied by Ted Hess-Mahan.

March 22 is the spring Music Sunday service. We are reprising some works that we sang – gulp – ten years ago, most notably a piece we commissioned from Carson Cooman, called A Difficult Miracle. This work, for soprano and baritone soloists, choir, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and piano, is, as Carson says, “essentially contemplative and personal in its exploration of the surrender of the spirit to the mountain landscape.” The service will also feature the joy-filled “Ale Brider” for Instant Choir, gospel-flavored works sung by the choir, Lois Shapiro at the piano, and CreationDance and the choir working together on a Shaker-inspired song. And our fabulous FUUSN musicians will reprise the “Peace/Drift” collage from their concert February 9 – not to be missed!
Again, we encourage you to join in as you are able. The Band rehearses on Sunday mornings when they’re on the docket; the choir rehearses Wednesday evenings. There’s also room up in the tower for some more chimers. Email me for information (music@fusn.org).
-Anne Watson Born