"...He also made the stars..." Gen. 1:15

An heirloom that is treasured by my family is an oil painting by my mother, dating back to the late 1920's. It is a snow scene, with moonlight reflecting over a country home and surrounding fields. Many times over the years I have admired this beautiful, serene setting. (Mother's artwork no doubt inspired me to pursue oil painting as a hobby in later years.) One day I decided to clean the painting. Since my childhood

home had a fireplace in almost every room, it is not surprising that smoke and other grime would settle on her picture. Imagine my surprise when I made a startling discovery. Not only were the colors more vivid after the cleaning, but there were stars in the deep blue sky, stars that had been covered by the years' accumulated dirt. I felt as though I had been sent a sweet message from Mother!

Stars have been mentioned in the Bible as a reminder of the Creator's majesty and glory. Several examples:

"He made stars to give light on the earth and to separate light from darkness." Gen. 1:17

"Those who are wise will shine...like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3"He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them by name." Isaiah 40:26Star of Bethlehem Matthew 2:2One of my favorite Choristers Guild children's anthems by

Paulene Delmonte presents a lesson about stars. A few lines from the song:

"If stormy clouds should hide the stars, No fearful thought ismine. Far beyond all earthly storms the heavenly stars stillshine. STARS ARE FOR THOSE WHO LIFT THEIR EYES."

How important it is to remember that divine help is always available to Believers, even though we may not realize God's Presence!

Grace and Peace,

Martha Iley

Normally, I look at my glass as half full; usually I see the world through rose-colored glasses, and regularly I get up on the right side of the bed. I guess you could call me an optimist.

In my viewpoint, MMM epitomizes optimism. In 1984, three women--Martha Iley, Rebecca Echerd, and Catherine Stout-- had a vision to develop a volunteer staff to direct the programs and develop a network of volunteer musicians, ministers, and lay people to take beautiful music to the

“forgotten ones” in Charlotte and the surrounding county. From their vision, Metropolitan Music Ministries took shape. From the beginning, MMM operated on a modest budget provided by private donations. The optimism of the three founders has carried the organization through almost 29 years of continuous community service. Over 455,900 people have received MMM musical offerings during that time.

Ever optimistic, a few years after its inception, the organization began to offer several scholarships to college students who plan make church music a part of their professional lives. Currently, MMM funds a one-time scholarship in voice, piano, and organ each year. In addition, the MMM Board with the help of volunteer musicians organized the Annual Service, a free community musical program based on scripture and hymns. September, 2012 marked the twenty-seventh presentation of this program.

MMM continues to “look on the sunny side”. When an organization like MMM is doing God's work, it can't help but be optimistic and expect “showers of blessings” for all of its volunteers and their donations of prayers, financial gifts, time, talent, and energy.

Thank you.

Diann P. BackPresident

Grace Grace Grace NotesNotesNotesMetropolitanMusic

Ministries

A Publication of Metropolitan Music Ministries, Inc. • MAY, 2013

From the Past Chairman of the BoardFrom the President's Desk

Diann Back Martha Iley

G. Mitchell Hagler, Editor

SERVICE RECORD

11,173

33,042

458,384

Cumulative October 7, 1984—April 30, 2013Number of Services, Programs, Meetings, and Projects:

Number of Times an Individual Participated in Ministry Work:

Total Known Audience:

xDr. Martha Iley has kept service records for MMM since 1984. Although the numbers do not tell the MMM story, they do help to convey the range of programs and projects, the indivi-duals involved, and the scope of those that our ministries are reaching. The cumulative report from October 7, 1984 to April 30, 2013 is impressive:

Donate Old Choral Music

Need Your Email

Purging your church choir library? Gift old anthems to the Pres- byterian "Wee Kirk" Conference in October 2012, to benefit choirs of small churches with small budgets. Contact Cathy Youngblood at (704) 364-1234 or for more information.

If you haven't checked out our new updated website, please go to and give us your email address by

clicking on Contact Us. In the future we hope to offer an electronic version of the newsletter to those who prefer it.

music@gspc.net

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DOLCE – A Sweet SuccessThe annual spaghetti dinner has given way to a new experiment in 2013: a musical variety show and dessert buffet, called DOLCE. The fundraiser, held on February 9, 2013 in the fellowship hall at Providence Baptist Church lived up to its name – it was a sweet success, indeed! There wasn't an empty seat in the room, and the dessert spread, coordinated by Jill Willet, beckoned guests back more than once. But it was the musical entertainment, emceed by Dr. Joseph Judge, which brought people to their feet. We are deeply grateful to the following participants, who generously gave of their outstanding talent to make this an evening to remember:

?Christina Richiger, alto soloist, offered a set of sacred songs accompanied by Cathy Yougblood.

?Rick Bean, jazz pianist par excellence, improvised on 4 notes selected by the audience, and showed how to masterfully fuse different tunes into one.

?The Char-lettes, female barbershop trio featuring Lisa Honeycutt, Carole Whittington and Kitty Hughes, and accompanied by David Hines, took us back to the 30's with their fun harmonies.

?Cellist Carol Clem and pianist Nancy Lucas played an enjoyable set of Americana tunes from decades past.

?Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim Terrell entertained us with his rich baritone voice in a set of Johnny Cash songs.

?Kirk and Debbi Grosch sang some beautiful folk love songs in honor of Valentine's Day.

? The grand finale was opera duo John Kaneklides (tenor) and Melinda Whittington (soprano), culminating on the high C of La Boheme duet “O Soave Fanciulla,” accompanied by Cathy Youngblood.

More than one person said to me on their way out, “The tickets were too cheap for an evening like this!” Even so, $1,340 was raised in the clear to benefit the MMM scholarship fund, and three more young people entering music ministry will be helped because of it. To those in attendance, THANK YOU. And to those who missed it… stay tuned for Dolce 2014!

Cathy YoungbloodDOLCE Coordinator

Annual Service ScheduledPlans are underway for MMM to host the 28th Annual Service in

Celebration of Sacred Music scheduled for Sunday, September 29, 2013, 6:00 p.m. at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte. This year's theme is “Jesus' Ministry of Restoration” based on Jeremiah 30:17.

Directors for the program include David M. Hines, Dr. Martha Iley, and Ginger Wyrick. Diann Clark will be at the organ and Dr. Luther Wade will be back again for another year as narrator.

Dr. Peter Leo will direct a Choir of Directors from a number of Charlotte area churches. In addition, at this date, the following choirs have been scheduled: Charlotte Contemporary Ensemble, Cedric Meekens, director; Christ Episcopal Church Sanctuary and Parish Choirs, Robert Ridgell, director; Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Nathaniel Gumbs, director; Providence Baptist Church Adult Ensemble, Dr. Carey Cannon, director, and Providence United Methodist Church Children's Choir, Charlotte Judge, director. In addition to the choirs, a brass quartet and timpani will provide additional music. A complete program will appear in the September newsletter.

MMM scholarship winners will participate: Elizabeth Davis, Evan Price, and Rahab Hackett. Lay and clergy participants included. Alton Cadenhead, Rev. Anthony Marciano, Dr. Diann Back, and Ms. Angela Forde.

Musical angels, that is what many of our talented, dedicated musicians have been called. These musical angels volunteer their time and talents to serve their community. Through the coordinated efforts of Metropolitan Music Ministries they travel to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, adult daycares and any other organization requesting the ministry of music. Pat McKenzie is an active and talented member of this musical ministry.

Pat's dedication to music ministry has been a life long pursuit. She attended Meredith College where she doubled majored in piano and public school music. She taught music in the Charlotte Mecklenburg schools for 6 years as well as kindergarten and pre-school music at Commonwealth UMC and Hickory Grove UMC respectively. And she welcomed students into her home for private piano lessons, an endeavor she pursued for 40 years.

In addition, Pat held the position of Cokesbury UMC Director of Music Ministries for 25 years. Her responsibilities included directing the Chancel Choir, Youth Choir, Childrens Choir and Handbell Choirs. Also active in the United Methodist Women, Pat chaired her circle for ten years.

On a personal note, Pat has a son David and grandchildren Steven age 16 and Madison age 12. She was married to husband Bill for 51 years until his death in 2012. In recognition of her service to the music ministry and her community, Pat's family has established the Patricia McKenzie Church Music Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving college student in the discipline of voice, organ or piano. The family plans to fund the scholarship for 2014 distribution. Donations can be made to Metropolitan Music Ministries, POB 12736, Charlotte, NC 28220 and designated, “McKenzie Scholarship Fund.”

After wearing many professional “musical hats” Pat embraced the role of volunteer when she joined the ministry board in 1988. She has graciously shared her musical talents with our community by playing piano for chapel services at Brian Center and Rebound. Residents at Adult Care and Share, White Oak Manor, and Avante have delighted in her musical presentations. Her style can be described as upbeat, jazzy and enthusiastic. Pat's toe tapping rhythm elicits many smiles and often an “Amen.” We thank Pat for being one of Metropolitan Music Ministries' inspiring and faithful musical angels. May God Bless all of Metropolitan Music Ministries musical angels.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Patricia McKenzie

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SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

One of the ways MMM carries out its mission is to provide scholarships to students who are interested in pursuing sacred music as a career. Church music applicants must select three audition pieces from six categories: art song, aria (opera), aria (oratorio), spiritual or old American hymn, contemporary, and baroque. Organ applicants must select a hymn and two works of contrasting styles: a work composed in the Baroque/Classical period and a post-classical work. In addition they explain in writing and in an interview with the judges why they have chosen their career path.

This year the auditions were held at St. John's Baptist Church, a facility that provides ample warm-up rooms for vocalists and organists.

The daughter of a minister/hospital chaplain, Elizabeth Davis began playing piano at age three with her piano teacher mother and she played in church for the first time at age seven.

She received her undergraduate education at Hobe Sound Bible College in South Florida, and served as accompanist for a number of churches and choirs. Since relocating to North Carolina, Elizabeth has been teaching private lessons but is also the pianist, lead Pre-K Sunday School teacher, and children's choir director at Faith Community Chapel, a nondenominational church in Taylorsville.

Elizabeth's plan is to complete her Master's in Piano Pedagogy at UNC-G in May, 2014 and then to teach music/piano in a private Christian school, continue teaching private lessons and working with church music.

Elizabeth maintains an independent piano teaching studio with eight students. She also accompanies the High Point Youth Chorale, sponsored by the High Point Arts Council.

Professor Paul Steward writes that “I have been impressed by her academic and piano performance accomplishments. She earned an A in both my pedagogy class and my piano performance course. The piano performance grade is based on her end of the semester jury grade given by the entire piano faculty.”

MMM congratulates Elizabeth Davis as the winner of the Cheryl Iley Lindstrom Church Music Scholarship in Piano.

Rahab Hackett is not a newcomer to MMM. Two years ago she won the MMM Music Therapy Scholarship. She also placed in the Crescent Music Club organ competition. Rahab comes from a family that always emphasized music. Her grandmother taught Rahab to play piano when she was only seven and also taught her to make up her own arrangements of favorite hymns. Later she became pianist of a small church. She began organ lessons when she was in her teens and was organist of Monaghan United Methodist Church near her home in Greenville, SC.

Currently Rahab is a junior organ performance major at Furman University and studies with Dr. Charles Tompkins. Every other Sunday evening, she plays the organ for the university worship service. She also plays organ at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Greenville.

Dr. Tompkins writes that “She has made excellent progress in her organ studies during the past three years and she played a challenging recital. Her playing evidenced solid technical command and musical communication and it was very well received by the large audience.”

MMM welcomes back Rahab Hackett as the winner of the Richard VanSciver Church Music Scholarship in Organ

Ethan Lynn Price is a senior Music Education and Vocal Performance double major at UNC-Greensboro. Ethan began his music career by singing in St. Luke Lutheran Church in Taylorsville, NC. While a freshman in college, the pianist at St. Luke contracted a rare skin disease and couldn't play the piano, so Ethan traveled back to Taylorsville each weekend to play for the services. He is also called on to sing at weddings, children's baptisms, and family members' deaths. “It is because of these experiences that I know church music will always be a part of my life and I am thankful for that.”

At UNC-Greensboro, Ethan is a member of the most selective ensemble, the Chamber Singers. He also directs the student-led a capella group, UNCG Spartones. Associate Professor of Voice Dr. Nancy Walker writes that “He is reliable, responsible and has a fine sense of humor.” She adds that “He has a resonant baritone voice with an excellent range, great agility, and a beautiful sense of expression. Ethan sings well in foreign languages and has been an active participant in past singing competitions where he captured first place two years in a row in the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Currently Ethan is Music Director at Konnoak Hills Moravian Church in Winston-Salem. He is also a Teaching Fellow at UNC-Greensboro which gives him the opportunity to teach for four years in NC public schools after graduation. He plans to continue teaching but also plans to continue being involved in church music

MMM is proud to award the Dr. Martha Strawn Iley Church Music Scholarship in Voice to Ethan Price.

ELIZABETH DAVIS

RAHAB HACKETT

ETHAN PRICE

Congratulations Scholarship Winners

Lindstrom ScholarshipElizabeth Davis

VanSciver ScholarshipRehab Hackett

Martha Iley ScholarshipEthan Price

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Non ProfitOrganization

US POSTAGE

PAIDCharlotte, NC

Permit No. 3330

Metropolitan Music Ministries, Inc.PO Box 12736Charlotte, NC 28220-2736704.529.1616

". . . my servants sing for joy of heart." Isaiah 65:14

MetropolitanMusic

Ministries

New Board MembersMMM welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors for 2013.: Sarah Allred, Nancy Lucas, and Paul Reynolds.

Sarah Allred was born in Laurel Springs, New Jersey and is a graduate of West Virginia University. Sarah is Director of Music Ministries at Matthews Presbyterian Church. She is married to Adlai and enjoys her dog Betty as well as hiking, camping, and yoga.

A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Nancy Lucas is organist at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church. She attended UNC-Greensboro and is a graduate of Limestone College and Converse College. Her husband John is deceased. Nancy is particularly interested in teaching piano and organ.

Another Presbyterian to join the Board is Paul Reynolds who was born in McCook, Nebraska. His wife is Kristine and his daughter is Sarah. Paul is Music Director at Carmel Presbyterian Church and an Adjunct Instructor at Central Piedmont Community College. Paul has a private piano studio and enjoys outdoor activities especially biking and hiking.

Sarah Allred

Nancy Lucas

Paul Reynolds

www.metromusicministries.org

Christmas at Men’s Shelter

Expressions of the Human Spirit...Among the many forms in which the human spirit has tried to express its innermost yearnings and perceptions, music is perhaps the most universal. It symbolizes the yearnings for harmony, with oneself and with others, with nature and with the spiritual and sacred within us and around us. There is something in music that transcends and unites. This is evident in the sacred music of every community - music that expresses the universal yearning that is shared by people all over the globe.~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama