First United Methodist Church of Tucson
Thursday, September 09, 2010
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Music Ministry
 Minister of Music: Rev. Dr. Sun Ug (Isaac) Choh, a commissioned Deacon in Desert Southwest Annual Conference, is Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church. As an Associate Pastor, he assists and leads worship in various roles and directs the chancel choir, sanctuary singers, and the bell choir at the church. He has served as a choral conductor and music minister for more than 15 years, both in the United States and in South Korea. Rev. Dr. Choh received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Sterling College, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma under Dr. Dennis Schrock, Master of Arts in Music Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona under Dr. Bruce Chamberlain. He is a member of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts (FUMMWA) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Rev. Dr. Choh and his wife, Jung, have been with First Church Tucson since 2003. Organist/Pianist: Organist/Pianist Fern Hieb holds a master’s degree in organ performance from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she studied organ with Howard Kelsey and performed in master classes with Peter Hurford and Geraint Jones. She was awarded the certificate of Colleague by the American Guild of Organists (CAGO). She has held church music positions in Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Arizona. Ms Hieb is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, having served as Dean of the St. Louis chapter, and more recently as Dean of the Southern Arizona chapter. She is the founder and owner of Flourish, a music cataloging business that serves academic, conservatory and public libraries.
 Chancel Choir: First Church's Chancel Choir leads worship with anthems and hymns every Sunday from mid-August till late May. The Chancel Choir also puts on seasonals concert twice a year at Christmas and Easter. Past performances include Vivaldi’s Gloria, Rutter’s Gloria, Bach’s cantata, Christ lag in Todesbanden (BWV 4), G. Fauré’s Requiem, excerpts from Handel's Messiah and Mozart's Requiem. The choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm in the Sanctuary. New members are always welcome—sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. If you can read music or match pitches, you are welcome to sing in the choir. During the summer months, the Summer Choir leads worship. Childcare is available during rehearsals. For further information, contact Rev. Dr. Choh at 520-275-9221.
Sanctuary Singers: The Sanctuary Singers was established in October 2008 and was designed for people who love to sing. The Sanctuary Singers lead worship, singing all congregational songs and with a large anthem repertoire. The Sanctuary Singers sing once a month on pre-scheduled Sundays and rehearse on the Thursday prior that Sunday. Thus it requires a less laborious commitment than Chancel Choir membership. During rehearsal time, fun art activities are provided for kids. For further information, contact Rev. Dr. Choh at 520-275-9221.
 Bell Choir: The First Church Bell Choir participates in worship service once a month and also performs at special services and concerts. The Bell Choir has a five-octave range of bells and a two-octave range of chimes. The Bell Choir includes youth and adults, and rehearses Thursday evenings from 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm in the choir room. Childcare is available during rehearsals. For further information, contact Rev. Dr. Choh at 520-275-9221. Scholarship Singers: First Church is blessed to sponsor young professionals who sing with the Chancel Choir and provide solos during the offeratory each Sunday.
Lara Wax, soaring soprano and encore scholarship singer, has returned to Tucson and is pursuing a nursing degree through the University’s accelerated nursing program. She was a music major when she attended U/AZ in the early ‘90s, earning both her BM and MM in music. She went on to take a post-graduate degree in music in New York City where she sang professionally with choruses and added opera roles to her resume.
Shaun Kastner, is the choir’s scholarship tenor. Shaun Kastner recently arrived at U/AZ to begin work towards an MA in music performance. Shaun attended Truman State University, a small liberal arts college in Kirkesville, MO. Shaun’s goal is to teach on the collegiate level.
Kyle Vincent Connor, baritone, is pursuing a Master’s degree in Voice Performance & Opera at U/AZ. He brings to the First Church chancel choir a wealth of experience, an outstanding talent and a passion for singing. Kyle began singing when he was five, honed his vocal performance skills working at his mom’s Orlando restaurant and nearby karaoke bar. He also sang in several Florida churches, including Faith Presbyterian Church (four years) and Winter Park Presbyterian Church (two years). One of his fortes is contemporary worship music; Kyle directed a contemporary worship group for several years in Orlando.
Instruments: the organ in First Church's Sanctuary is a three-manual, 24-rank Moeller built in 1967. The Sanctuary is also home to a 6' Yamaha grand piano. The Chapel is equipped with a small electric organ and a Baldwin console piano.
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