THE MUSIC BOX

August 28, 2022

Katherine Edison, soprano; Karen Neal, mezzo-soprano; Robert Armstead, bass-baritone;

Janneke Hoogland, cello; Brian Neal, trumpet;

Melinda Coffey Armstead, piano & organ

Prelude: An die Musik (To Music) . . . Franz Schubert

Prelude in G major, WTC I . . . Johann Sebastian Bach
Air/Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 . . . J. S. Bach/Hector Villa-Lobos
Little Prelude in D minor/Libertango . . J. S. Bach/Astor Piazzolla
Come, Thou Fount . . . John Wyeth/ arr. Craig Courtney

prelude to 1st hymn: Thy Lovingkindness In The Morning . . . William Zeitler
hymn: Morning Has Broken . . . trad. Irish hymn, arr. Cat Stevens

Musical Interlude: Chopin Nocturne in Db Op. 27 No. 2 . . . Frédéric Chopin

Offertories: Rhosymedre . . . Ralph Vaughan Williams
Laudate Dominum from Solemn Vespers . . . Wolfgang A. Mozart

prelude to 2nd hymn: Prelude in Bb major, WTC I . . . J. S. Bach hymn: Be Thou My Vision . . . trad. Irish hymn

prelude to 3rd hymn: Little Prelude in C major . . . J. S. Bach hymn: The Lord’s My Shepherd (Crimond) . . . trad. Scottish hymn

Sung Benediction: Old Irish Blessing . . . Katie Moran Bart

Postlude: Toccata from Orfeo . . . Claudio Monteverdi
Rondo in G … John Bull, arr. by MCA

Dear CitFers,

I have loved this job for 27.6 years. Planning programs, hiring outstanding musicians, rehearsing, playing for services, weddings, memorials, the occasional concert and creating the ca. 1435 weekly Music Boxes with Bob as partner and editor has been sustained, rewarding and creative work beyond my expectations. The three keyboard instruments in the chapel are superb: the Greg Harrold pipe organ acquired through Paul Woudenberg’s connections in 1992, the Steinway B piano I chose at the showroom in San Francisco when Harold Englund drove us there in 1995, and the Roland synthesizer bought when Bill Rolland was the boss. The music today looks back to earlier years at CitF: Paul Woudenberg and Mary Wiltse both loved Rhosymedre and the Rondo in G; the song “Thy Lovingkindness in the Morning” is by my predecessor, Bill Zeitler (Music Director 1988-1995); and Crimond was one of Bill Rolland’s favorite hymns, thus closing a circle. My personal favorites are also here: lots of Bach, homages to Bach, Irish hymns, Chopin and the sublime Laudate Dominum of Mozart. Thank you Katherine, Janneke and Bob for adding your beautiful voices to my final program. Thank you Brian and Karen Neal for coming from way over the horizon to add your sweet trumpet and voice. Thank you CitFers for making a musical home for me since 1995. Thank you Ken and Melanie for your kindness and support. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve. Who could ask for anything more? gratefully yours,

Melinda

 

From my point of view: Starting 1987, a week or two after Church-in-the-Forest sprang into life, I was invited to sing in a quartet in the balcony. It was first directed by Catherine Yant, who later retired and Bill Zeitler took over. In 1995 Melinda appeared on the scene as Bill Zeitler was retiring, and she was hired during the tenure of Rev. Harold England. There were confusing changes in the scenery and personnel, and when the dust settled, Melinda and I had gotten married. I rode on her coattails from then until the present. What a pleasure it has been.

Bob