TRINITY CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT - 2020
Advent Music Series
During Advent, the Music Series presented three talented musicians for Advent music followed by lunch. The concerts were well-attended and most concertgoers stayed for a communal lunch prepared by the Parish Life Director, Debbie Cox.
Joyce Guyer, a member of the Trinity Chancel Choir, opened the series with a program including the music of Appalachian composer John Jacob Niles as well as Mark Hayes, Arnold Bax, and Alec Rowley.
On the following week, we were treated to a wide range of piano music presented by Kimberly Cann, including composers Bach, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff.
Kyle Ritter, organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of All Souls, concluded the series with both American and French compositions for organ.
MUSIC MINISTRIES
The Enlightened Trumpet
This program of trumpet, organ, and piano featured Telemann’s Concerto in D, Haydn’s Concerto in Bb, and the beloved Vivaldi Concerto for Two Trumpets. The concert featured Paul Merkelo, Principal Trumpet with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Accompanying him on trumpet was Brad Ulrich, who is familiar to our congregation for his playing on Easter, Christmas, and other festive occasions. Both were accompanied by Vance Reese, former organist-choirmaster here at Trinity.
Music Revue and Steak Night
With the help of the Fellowship Team, the now-annual “dinner and a song” began the tradition in 2015. It has grown in number of attendees (standing-room only) and now includes a sirloin steak dinner. This year’s revue featured 20 performers: voice, piano, and guitar. It is hoped that everyone will be able to gather for this again in 2021.
Andrew Finn Magill Birthday Bash
A fiddle player and Western North Carolina native Finn hosted a celebratory birthday musical bash with fellow musicians. Finn, who regularly plays at our Celtic service, has built his career on Irish music, but has also spent time in Rio de Janeiro studying Brazilian choro music.
Trinity Chancel Choir
The choir presented an evening of Advent Lessons & Carols. Following the style from King’s College, Cambridge, readers were included from the church, the community, and the government.
A special thank you to Isaac Boulter for volunteering to be an apprentice/assistant in conducting the choir during the Winter/Spring season.
Beginning March 15, the Chancel Choir was no longer permitted to sing, due to COVID-19. They have continued to meet on Zoom bi-monthly. Their first in-person gathering was on September 9, in the courtyard. The children’s choirs and handbell choirs were also no longer allowed to meet. The Chancel Choir is sorely missed at services! It is hoped that more singers can be involved as time goes on.
Instrumentalists, soloists, and quartets have provided music for all worship services since March 15. A special type of singer’s mask will soon begin to be used in order to protect against aerosols produced by singing.
The Handbell Choir resumed rehearsing in September and will meet in in the Church Street courtyard. We will move to Tuton Hall once weather demands, with each ringer at a personal music stand, distanced 6’ and wearing a mask. Bells will be disinfected after each use.
Celtic Musicians
One of the greatest gifts we’ve experienced is our Celtic guest instrumentalists. Because of them, the service includes a wide array of styles and sounds, from classical guitar or cello to flute or hammered dulcimer and so much more. Many of our regular instrumentalists donated their time during the pandemic so that Trinity could continue to uplift our parish with the joy and peace of music.
Respectfully submitted, Sharon C. Boone
