Music Notes

The wonderful month of May is upon us!  As Shakespeare wrote: “As full of spirit as the month of May, and as gorgeous as the sun in Midsummer.”  Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston,  the Indianapolis 500 and Memorial Day all are in the month of May.

At Piedmont UU Church we also have a lot of special events going on.  For starters,  May 10 is a big day starting with our church yard sale at 7:00am where you might be able to find a treasure trove and help the church financially as well!  As the sun begins to set, come to our coffeehouse to enjoy an evening of entertainment celebrating the arts.  Doors open at 6:30pm and the entertainment begins at 7:00pm and ends at 9:00. Though we will not be serving a meal, we encourage everyone to bring pies, cakes, bakery items such as cookies or Danish pastry, soft drinks, beer and wine.

The next day is Sunday, May 11, which is Mother's Day.  The choir will be singing "The Glory of Love" at the 9:45 and 11:00 services. 

The monthly theme for services in May is Transformation. Later this month, the choir will be singing the popular South African song "Siyahamba" (Marching in the Light) and "On a Sunday Morning".

For the past three years, I have been a candidate in the UUA Music Leadership Credentialing Program.  The UU Credentialing Program helps music leaders develop a foundational understanding of three main areas of knowledge: 1) music skills and resources, 2) UU heritage and values, and 3) leadership and interpersonal skills. The curriculum is delivered through a series of six core courses and additional professional development opportunities. The courses are offered at the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network annual summer conference in a rotation of two courses offered each year. I have attended the summer conferences in Arlington (2011), Tulsa (2012) and Dallas (2013).  As part of the program I have also attended the General Assembly in Charlotte in 2011, the Fall, 2013 Western Cluster meeting in Asheville, the 2013 Southeast District annual meeting in Charlotte, and the Southeast District Choral Festival at the UU Church of Charlotte in March.

I want to thank Rev. Robin and the church for making it possible for me to participate in the program. Each candidate has an advisor and a sponsor. My advisor, Annease Hastings, has just celebrated her 25th year as the music director of Bull Run Unitarian Universalists in Manassas, Virginia. My sponsor is Susan Burns, who has helped me with documenting my assignments, which often including videoing services of me song leading and directing the choir. Susan and I have had many teleconferences over the past three years with my advisor to assess progress and completion of goals and other assignments. Special thanks to Susan for all of the time and work that she has spent since I started the program in 2011.

I will receive my Credentials at this summer's General Assembly at the end of June in Providence, Rhode Island.

In gratitude,

Wally Kleucker
Music Director
wally@puuc.org

CHOIR SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 1               NO CHOIR REHEARSAL
Sunday, May 4                  NO CHOIR
Thursday, May 8               7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Saturday, May 10              7:00 – 9:00PM -A Night of a Thousand Stars Coffeehouse
Sunday, May 11                9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings
Thursday, May 15             7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday, May 18                9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings
Thursday, May 22             7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday, May 25                9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings
Thursday, May 29             7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday, June 1                 9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings