Full Photo Album: New Creation Musical "Noah's Flood" [here]

From our Minister of Music, John Paradowski
Musical Joy
“Transcended Oneness”
I have often thought about what music touches me the most and what keeps coming into my mind is the feeling I have—both as a performer and as a listener—when things “click” and when I experience a type of joy which transcends nearly every other earthly sensation. The best way to describe this feeling is as a feeling of oneness; one with the music; one with the performers, one with the congregation; and especially one with my whole self.

I’ve been slowly working my way through a book by Robert Jourdain; Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy. One of the main points is that musical perception consists of a string of expectations on the part of the listener that our brains want to hear or come to expect. The listener hears a sound and, because of a number of factors, anticipates that the sound will proceed or resolve in a certain way. If the music becomes either too predictable or too unpredictable, the listener becomes either bored or frustrated.

“Music sets up anticipations and then satis­fies them. It can withhold its resolutions, and heighten anticipation by doing so, then satisfy the anticipation in a great [rush] of resolu­tion. Musicians breathe ‘feeling’ into a piece by introducing minute deviations in timing and loudness. And composers build expression into their compositions by purposely violating antic­ipations they have established ... For composer and performer alike, music-making is always a tug-of-war between the maintenance of under­lying musical structure and the indulgence of musical deviations. With too much deviation, music becomes incoherent. With too little, music becomes cold and mechanical.”

As I ponder this interesting book I also listen to music that I find this oneness in. Last Spring I discovered a piece of music by English composer Howard Goodall. In his “Eternal Light” for Choir, Orchestra and Ballet, I found the transcended oneness that inspires me.
Well enough about my Summer...

Seriously, how can you not want the feeling of one­ness and joy... and then not want to share that feeling? Think of a child who just wants to share with you their most important story. We have a story to share as well.

I find it interesting that many anthropologists believe that music first evolved as a way to “strengthen com­munity bonds and resolve conflicts.” There can be no doubt that it continues to serve those functions. When we come together to learn, to make, to share our music we create a bond of community with one another. And then when we take that community bond of music and share it with the congregation we expand the circle to encompass the whole church and reach toward a great harmony with each other. We become and are a congregation of “one.” We gather and feel the sense of whole­ness and oneness with ourselves and each other. I call those moments of Transcended Oneness. How can you not want to experience that?

“At that elusive moment when we transcend our ordinary performance and feel in harmony with something else—whether it’s a glorious sunset, inspiring music or another human being—what we are really coming in sync with is ourselves; we feel more relaxed and at peace.”

~~John Paradowski, Minister of Music

Music Ministry - now’s a great time to share your talents
St. Matthew's shares an active Music Ministry not only with its members but also with the greater community through special services and a concert series. The goal of this ministry is to praise and give thanks to the Lord through God's gift of music.

Believing, as Martin Luther did, that music is a fair and glorious gift from God, we at St. Matthew's rejoice that we have a variety of vocal and instrumental choirs ranging from children to adult so that people of all ages may participate in bringing music to the congregation as well as the community.

Kids - Use your musical talents to give of yourself for your church - and have fun while you’re doing it!
Moms and Dads - Encourage your kids and set an example by sharing your talents as well

St. Matthew’s has four outstanding opportunities for our Children & Youth to be part of the music ministry and share their gifts with our church family.

For grades 3-6, Jeff Reeves and John Paradowski will co-direct the New Creation Choir singing God’s praises. Having children lead us in worship is very important and we always welcome this group helping us praise our Lord. They will be working on their April musical Noah and the Flood so now is the time to join the fun. They rehearse Wednesday evenings, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

For grades 7-12, the New Generation Choir is a great opportunity to sing the praises of our Lord with each other. A variety of musical styles are sung and we help in worship once a month. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.

Adults can get in on the act as well with the Senior Choir which meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m., or our adult handbell Choirs, The EmBELLishments [Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.] or Bell Angels [Thursdays at 6:15 p.m.]

Contact John Paradowski or Dave Mohr for more information. We look forward to seeing many of you join in all the activity of serving our Lord and giving thanks through God’s gift of music.

Choir schedules and more information is below.

Consider a bell choir!

Come join us to RING!
You’ve seen them in action and are you thinking, “I want to try that.” We have the chance for you to give it a ring.

The Tuesday morning handbell choir, The EmBELLishments, is always looking for new ringers to join the handbell fun. Have you ever wanted to give it a try? This is your chance. This handbell choir meets every Tuesday at 9:30-10:30 a.m., starting September 22. No experience needed! We have fun as we learn new music and the tech­niques of handbell ringing.

If you have any questions please talk with John Paradowski at the church. 414-774-0441 or JRPmuzik@sbcglobal.net

Have you ever wanted to give it a try? This is your chance. See what this handbell stuff isall about!

The Thursday evening handbell choir, Bells Angels, meets every Thursday, 6:15-7:30 p.m. [more]

The Tuesday morning handbell choir, The EmBELLishments, meets Tuesday, 9:30-10:30 a.m., resumes Jan. 19. No experience needed! [more]

Handbell concert videos online
In June 2007, our handbell choirs presented a concert at St. Matt's. Videos of the several handbell groups are online [here].

Choirs for all ages
(Click any link for more information)

Rehearsals resume in the fall. Watch for the schedule to be posted here.

Senior Choir (adults): Thursdays, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
New Generation Choir (youth in grades 7-12): Wednesdays, 6:00- 6:45 p.m.
New Creation Choir (children in grades 3-6): Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Praise Kids! Choir (spilt choirs for 4-5 year-olds and 1st-2nd grade): Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Bells and instrumental music

[Click any of the following blue group names for more information about that group.]

Godsbells (chidlren's chime choir for grades 4-6): Tuesdays, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Righteous Ringers (youth handbell choir grades 7-12): Tuesdays, 7:00-7:45 p.m.
EmBELLishments (beginnning adult handbell choir): Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Bells Angels (advanced adult handbell choir): Thursdays, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
A CaBELLa Ringers (ensemble ringers), Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Instrumental music is offered throughout the year.

For more information, contact the church office or John R. Paradowski, Minister of Music (john@stmattslutheran.org).

For more information, contact the church office or John R. Paradowski, Minister of Music (john@stmattslutheran.org).

"Come let us sing for joy to the Lord.
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving
and extol Him with music and song." (Psalm 95:1-3)