Music Ministry Update
Welcome Candie Douglas!
We’re thrilled to welcome Candie Douglas as our new Manager of Music Ministry (MMM) and Choir Director. You may have met her as one of the accompanist musicians at JRUUC. We are delighted that after Candie got to know us, she became more interested in being part of our staff. She brings more than 30 years of experience in choral and general music education, including 24 years as a high school choir director in the Sun Prairie Area School District, and holds a Master of Music Education from UW-Whitewater and a Bachelor of Music Education from UW-Madison. Her work has been recognized with the 2024 Kohl Fellowship Award for creating equitable access to private voice instruction, and the 2021 Rockwell Award from UW-Madison for mentoring more than 30 student teachers. She also created the inclusive Unified Choir program, and continues to coach and accompany soloists and ensembles.
I want to note, Candie’s title reflects the new direction the Music Support Team has taken JRUUC music this past year that we aim to continue. There are more congregants offering music than in years past. That team has led us coordinating more collaborations and styles of music with a more inclusive approach that we want to continue. I’m grateful for their willingness to partner with me:
Specifically Rachel Avery and Sandy Ligon partnered with me in revamping the job description and David Lauth reviewed our materials. I’ve also been assisted by Vera Leone and David Henry, our most recent search team members. We could not have done this without the tireless work of Susan Podebradsky and Rachel Avery on the earlier search that took numerous twists. The Board has also worked to support the many iterations this search has gone through and I’m grateful for their endorsement of Candie as well. Please join us Sunday when Candie will be competing her last time as our accompanist before beginning work October 19. Welcome Candie! -RevD
Message from Candie: I am a lifelong Wisconsin resident and spent most of my career teaching high school choir in Sun Prairie. My family includes my husband and two adult children. Since retiring from teaching two years ago, I have enjoyed having more free time to travel with my family and work as an accompanist for Sun Prairie Schools. I look forward to sharing music and fellowship with everyone as your new Manager of Music Ministry at James Reeb. Thank you for your kind, welcoming spirits!
Click here for our congregation’s weekly email with the most current information
We are currently between paid music ministry staff and a team of volunteers are coordinating musical activities and Sunday music. Please contact David Henry with general questions, or contact Mike Stimson about the folk group.
Sacred Breath Choir Resumes 9/3/26
Choir will not be meeting every Thursday as usual over the summer. Please check your weekly newsletter for more information about when we will be meeting regularly, as well as for information about “pick-up music opportunities” this summer.
Sacred Breath Choir welcomes folks of all voice types and musical backgrounds. We usually meet weekly on Thursdays from 7-8:30pm (September – early June) and sing at 1-2 worship services per month. Singing is nourishment for the mind, body, and spirit. Nourish yourself and your community by joining Sacred Breath Choir! Please contact David Henry with questions.
Folk Group
The folk group will be meeting every Saturday 10:30-noon until further notice (instead of just the first and third Saturdays). We’re scheduling extra meetings because the folk group will have plenty of opportunities to perform in services until we have a new music director — come lend your voice to the cause!
Please check this week’s newsletter or contact Mike Stimson to verify the next practice dates and for upcoming music selections!
Everyone is welcome to sing, play, or just hang out and talk about great music.
We have songbooks to sing and play from, and you are welcome to bring your favorites too. Come and sing with us! And bring an instrument if you’d like to play! If you want to be added to the Reeb Folk Group mailing list, please contact Mike Stimson. You can also contact Mike if you have particular songs you want to share with the group and he will add them to the group music.
Share Your Music Beyond Choir!
Choir and the folk group are not the only way to participate in music at Reeb. Are you a musician looking for an opportunity to share your music? Maybe you played an instrument in a school band or orchestra and would love to be able to play again. Maybe you are a singer/songwriter who would like to introduce us to new songs. Maybe you would like to share your love of a non-traditional instrument from another part of the world. There are opportunities at Reeb to play and/or sing with others – or to play a solo. All are welcome. We would love to hear from you. Please contact David Henry.
Open Mic Nights – Saturday 6-8pm
Reeb is hosting an open mic event on a Saturday from 6-8 pm. It’s usually the first Saturday, but sometimes changes so check this week’s newsletter for the date of the next event. (September 2026 – September 13th instead of Sept. 5th)
All are welcome to enjoy the entertainment or take a turn in front of the mic. Suggested donation is $5/person, and all admission and concession proceeds will go to JRUUC. Please come and entertain with your music, poetry, comedy or any other talent you can offer! To donate food or beverages to sell, or for further information, please check your weekly newsletter.
Songleaders needed!
Songleaders help lead congregational music on weeks that the choir is not singing in worship. This is a great opportunity for folks who love to sing, but cannot commit to Thursday night choir rehearsals. Please contact David Henry to get on the songleader email list!
Please send an email to music@jruuc.org with any questions or thoughts you have about music ministry at JRUUC.