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Music, dance and drama in Christmas Cantata

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN, Hernando Today correspondent

Published: December 1, 2007

Updated: 11/30/2007 09:11 pm

SPRING HILL - Scrooge learns some life lessons amidst various favorite Christmas movies and other scenarios in a new cantata at the First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill.

The 75-voice Chancel Choir, Drama Team, Children's Choir and Orchestra will present "Repeat the Sounding Joy - The Never Ending Christmas Story" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and again at 3 p.m. the next day. Admission is free. A love offering will be taken.

The musical tells the timeless message of Christ's birth and features renditions of scenes from classic Christmas films, such as "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life." The stage production culminates with the portrayal of the Nativity and includes narratives representing many ages and ethnicities.

Jack Evans, the music director since May 2006, enjoys all kinds of orchestra and choral music, especially quality Christian music. "This production involves so many hours of rehearsal, costume sewing, staging, live music, dancers, actors and set designs," he said. "We obtained some local musicians just for this cantata, so we'll have piano, drums, keyboard, guitars, bass, clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet and organ for certain parts, the Praise Team, and a few dancers - more than 130 people in the cantata."

Written by David T. Clydesdale and Deborah Craig-Claar, the story line moves from modern day through different eras back to Bethlehem. Music includes Celtic and ragtime music of early immigrants, Victorian carols and upbeat Christmas cheer from the 20 actors.

"Initially, Scrooge is the bleak fellow," said church member and thespian Pat McCulloch, who portrays him. When StageWest first met in school auditoriums and civic centers, McCulloch played in "Star Spangled Girl" and other productions. His wife, Lynn, is busy working with church member Peg Sublett to sew the 27 vests for the Children's Choir portions of the cantata. "They do take some time," Lynn noted, "three hours each for me - I'm not the swiftest seamstress. The vests are reversible, black on one side and royal blue on the other. It's a lot of work, but the vests will be used for years to come."

Choir members received the music for the cantata in June, so they could familiarize themselves with the score. Cantata rehearsals began in September.

Marsha Reiniers is the drama director of the production. "Marsha is such an organized and experienced director." Evans said.

The sanctuary includes a state-of-the-art sound room and lighting equipment, headed aptly by Monty Evans. The colorful graphics and programs were done by Jessica McClellan.

"My wife, Helen, heads the Children's Choir, as she has done in those ministries right along with me in previous church music posts. The children are so eager that their choir has grown to 25 participants."

The church has increased in membership nearly 17 percent in the past year. The Rev. William "Bill" McLoud gives great credit for the recent growth to the quality of the music and its leadership from both Evanses.

"They are both very talented and gifted, a blessing to us all. We're so glad to have them here."

Jack Evans was born in New York and grew up in Forty Fort, Pa. He graduated from Wilkes University, with a bachelor's degree in music education. His master's degree is in choral and orchestra conducting from College of New Jersey.

As a child, he played trumpet by age 9 and was in his high school band and choir. His bio notes include instruction in compositions and trumpet at Juilliard School of Music. He also earned a supervisor's certificate from Montclair University, which enabled him to be an administrator, supervising the music program and evaluating the music staff in a school district of five schools.

Each year, he attends the Shawnee Press Music Conference in Pennsylvania and learns about new music options for church use. This coming February, an encore concert featuring the acclaimed Christian music composer Joseph Martin will delight audiences, as he did this past year, Evans said. "Mr. Martin is one of the most prolific writers of Christian choral music in this country today," Evans added. "We enjoyed his talent at the piano and his humor last spring. He will direct our chancel choir in several of his own compositions."

Married for 45 years, the Evanses have two sons and eight grandchildren. Both Evanses taught at the same high school in Dover, N.J. Helen taught English and Jack headed the music programs. They retired to this area in 2004.

"I enjoy golfing, but it wasn't enough to keep me happy. My retirement lasted about a year," he said, "and we are both glad to be so involved with music and the wonderful people in this church. The whole spirit of the church is wonderful here. This is a church where new people will quickly find small groups to fit right in and feel welcome and needed ... The ministry team here is great, and everyone here works harmoniously. It couldn't be a better or more inclusive church community. Soon we'll open the balcony for additional seating."

The Rev. McLoud added, The "Repeat the Sounding Joy" production will be a full-house musical and drama extravaganza, geared for the whole family. It will be a wonderful way to enjoy the Christmas season. We hope you and yours will come, and afterward, as it says in the program finale, 'go forth to tell the Christmas story to the world, to share and to repeat the sounding joy!'"

First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill is located at 9344 Spring Hill Drive, (four miles east of U.S. 19), Spring Hill. Phone: 683-2600, e-mail: secretary@fumcsh.org, Web site: www.fumcsh.org.

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