Music Ministry Update

June Music Notes

Make Music Madison at Reeb: This summer, Reeb will participate in Make Music Madison, a free city-wide celebration of music on the summer solstice.  Please contact Jennifer at music@jruuc.org if you’d like to help out with the event!  Here is the full schedule of music!

Family Fun and Music Night: In conjunction with James Reeb’s hosting of Make Music Madison, Genevieve will have activities for children and youth of all ages on June 21st from 11 am-8 pm. Youth Open Mic from 4-5 pm and all ages Jam Session from 5:30-6:30 pm. Please let Genevieve know at re@jruuc.org if you are interested in volunteering.

Hymn of the Month: “Almond Trees, Renewed in Bloom”

June’s hymn of the month took me on quite a journey. Contrary to the credit in the hymnal, the text was authored by Shalom ben-Chorin in 1942 and was translated from German into English by Fred Kaan at the 1983 Vancouver Assembly of the World Council of Churches. Shalom ben-Chorin was a Jewish convert who immigrated from Munich, Germany to Palestine in 1935. Almond trees, native to the Middle East and South Asia, are among the first to bloom in late winter. Signaling the approach of spring, their blooms serve as a symbol of hope to all who encounter them. It was this that inspired Shalom ben-Chorin to write his poem, “The Sign.” 

The translator of the text, Fred Kaan, was a Dutch clergyman who wrote a large number of ecumenical hymns throughout his lifetime. During his teen years, his parents were active in the Dutch Resistance of the Nazi occupation and Kaan lost three of his grandparents to starvation during the forced famine of 1945. It was after this experience that Kaan became active in the church. On hymn-writing, he wrote, “throughout my hymn-writer’s life I have poured my concern and commitment into the crafting of a number of texts that focus on the earth and the city, on human society, on Christ among us in the here-and-now, sharing our humanity, on justice and life in all its fullness for all women, men, and children, on the pursuit of human rights for everyone.” 

How the tune by Nguyen Duc Quang was selected for this text is unknown. The composer was a Vietnamese musician, activist, and spiritual leader during the 1960s and 70s. His grandson, Corey Cao Nguyen, has been working since 2021 to learn more about his grandfather’s work and to share his story. You can listen to some of his music on YouTube. It is fascinating to me that this hymn, centered on the hope that flowers can bring in times of war and destruction, is authored by three different persons (seemingly by chance) who experienced and coped with war in their own unique ways. 

Choir Practice

Sacred Breath Choir will be on summer break June-August.

Sacred Breath welcomes folks of all voice types and musical backgrounds (including people with no experience whatsoever!) We meet weekly on Thursdays from 7-8:30pm and sing at 1-2 services a month. At rehearsals, choir members warm-up their voices and bodies, learn pieces for Sunday services, sing for the joy of it, and connect with fellow Reebers. Singing is nourishment for the mind, body, and spirit.  Nourish yourself and your community by joining Sacred Breath Choir!

Please send an email to music@jruuc.org with any questions or thoughts you have about music ministry at JRUUC.

Folk Music Group

The Folk Group will be performing on the Reeb stage for Make Music Madison on June 21st. Let Mike know if you are interested in joining us on stage. You can also just join us as part of the crowd and sing along.

Please come sing and play folk music with us on Saturdays. The folk group has been meeting every Saturday this at 2pm for about an hour and a half, but will not meet regularly over the summer. If you want to join us for occasional gatherings, please contact Mike and he will confirm we have a critical mass of folk singers! Please bring your favorite folk songs to share with us (lyrics and chords, if you have them!).

This is an informal gathering of Reebers who enjoy playing and singing folk songs together.  This group will occasionally decide to offer music for a Sunday service, but there’s no expectation for this.  Come to as many sessions as you’d like!  Bring your voice and/or instrument. 

Meetings are usually Saturdays, but check your enews and contact Mike Stimson to confirm the next meeting date and let him know you’ll be coming. [1/2/24]

Sacred Breath Choir 12/4/22

Meet Jennifer Hedstrom – Music Director

Jennifer Hedstrom (she/they) grew up in the Chicago suburbs and has called Madison her home since 2010.  Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from Illinois State University and a Master’s in Collaborative Piano from UW-Madison.  Jennifer loves leading a multifaceted musical life and splits her time between composing, performing, teaching, and music directing.

Jennifer believes music is a powerful tool for expression, healing, and connection.  She also believes music is for everyone, which is the reason she is drawn to congregational singing.  She is looking forward to using her musical gifts to lift up the voices and spirits of everyone at James Reeb.  And she is excited to get to know the members of the James Reeb choir.

Jennifer lives on the east side of Madison with their partner and two cats.  Beyond music, they love reading, walking, dancing, crafting, and spending time with close friends.  Jennifer’s spiritual teachers include water, prairies, songbirds, Pema Chödrön, Rumi, and Beyoncé.

Jennifer joined Reeb’s staff in the spring of 2023.

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