Choir
Hayward United Methodist Adult Choir Sings Christmas Cantata
Since the choir's inception in 1985, Shirley Anderson has been our choir director. With a degree in instrumental music (and math), we are blessed to have Shirley lending her talents to direct our wonderful choir. When asked to describe the choir, Shirley offered the following information.
"The Hayward United Methodist choir is growing. When everyone who has been in choir at all this year is singing, we have 24 singers plus director and accompanists. We usually sing 4-part (SATB) anthems. I try to select a variety of types of music. This keeps the choir interested and the congregation exposed to different types of music also. They usually like the faster ones or familiar tunes. I try to pick out pieces that have a good message and that fit our group.
We have sung several cantatas. We have done about three Christmas ones and at least five easter cantatas. They are a lot of work, but it is worth it.
We practice every Sunday after church from approximately 11:25 a.m. until 12:00 noon. We also go over the anthem of the week before church begins (usually at 9:30 a.m.) There are no auditions to join choir, but we ask that you are dedicated and can sing. You don't have to know how to read music, though most of the choir does. We sing every Sunday September through May and sometimes some summer Sundays. Usually we take most of the summer off and rely on special music then. Anyone who would like to perform any instrument or vocally is encouraged to let Shirley Anderson or Pastor Dan know. First come, first choice of Sundays!
Many of the choir members also participate in the Community Christmas Cantata. Mike Brubaker, Ken Frame, LaVonne Reissner, Gretchen Semler, Lois Roberts, Connie Hatch, John Jones, Gary Ericson, Marilyn Kadlec, John & Ruth Pechacek, Jim Brown, Carol Heinrich, and Shirley Anderson have all sung in at least one.
We usually try also to have a choir picnic once a year. It is good to get together and talk and laugh. Lois Roberts has been kind enough to host the gathering a few years.
I can't say enough about the talented group in the choir. They are all very dedicated and learn the songs quickly. They are willing to try anything I throw at them. Jane Stoffel, our accompanist, does an excellent job of keeping us together and graciously records anthems on the Clavinova for us to use as accompaniment when she is going to be gone. Yonsey Karasek, and Carol Heinrich are extremely talented also and help out as accompanists whenever I ask.
We are a fun, hard-working group. Come to HUMC and hear us and join if you feel the Sprit move in you!"
