Special Music Services

Every December and May, the River Road Choir presents special music programs as part of the Sunday worship services. The winter services have included music centered on themes of winter solstice, multicultural celebrations of the seasons, and Christmas.

The May program ranges from single large works to programs of smaller pieces centering on specific themes. (See the River Road Choir page.) We seek to attain the most professional quality possible. Yet these special music services are not just performances, but are meant to form part of an overall meaningful worship experience.

The 2005 winter music service took place on Sunday, December 18, at 9:15 and 11:15. The 2006 spring music service will take place at the same service times on Sunday, May 21, 2006.

(At right, the River Road Choir and boy soprano Michael Butvinik rehearse for the 2002 Spring Music Service. Michael isn't a soprano any more!)

Winter Cabaret

A River Road tradition for many years, the Winter Cabaret provides an evening where anyone in the River Road community can perform for a warm and supportive audience. This popular event is held in February and draws performers of all ages and abilities from within the congregation. Singers and instrumentalists performing all styles of music, as well as poets and dancers, have been a part of past cabarets. Everyone brings a dessert and enjoys cabaret-style seating for a night of great music. To perform, contact Brock Holmes. The 2006 Winter Cabaret was held on Saturday, February 18.

Youth Cabaret

Building on the success of River Road's annual Winter Cabaret, the Youth Cabaret offers young people a similar warm and supportive format to share their musical talents. Families are invited to bring a dessert and enjoy an afternoon of nurturing our youth's artistic abilities. Performers 5 to 18 are welcome to participate, acts should be under 5 minutes, and those interested in performing should contact Clif Hardin. The 2006 Youth Cabaret is scheduled for Saturday, April 30.

Community Music Series

Because River Road recognizes that spiritual growth is closely related to artistic growth, this new concert series provides a way for those within the River Road membership to share musical gifts in more depth than our Winter Cabaret allows. Depending on interest, performances are held several times per year on Sunday afternoons in our beautiful sanctuary, and performers are allowed 10-15 minutes for their program. Admission is free, and audience members are asked to bring a dessert to share.

Sign-up for performers takes place 6 weeks before each performance, and the Music Committee provides publicity and logistical support for the concert. For more information, contact Lori Rottenberg.

Music Committee Special Events

The Music Committee occasionally sponsors other concerts to take advantage of the number of fine musicians from within its own ranks, as well as others from the community who wish to use the sanctuary as a performance space. For more information and guidelines for committee sponsorship of concerts, contact Lori Rottenberg.

Fellowship Dinner Skit

Each year, River Road kicks off its annual stewardship campaign with the Fellowship Dinner, when the sanctuary is transformed into an elegant banquet hall, and congregation members and friends gather for good food and conversation. As part of the festivities, there is always a music- and laughter-filled look at the current issues facing our congregation. The 2006 Fellowship Dinners are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18. If you?d like to get involved, either in creating or performing the skit, contact Clif Hardin.