A CENTURY OF MUSIC MEMORIES AT EDGEWOOD

Music has been a vital part of this congregation and through the years many have served as organists, pianists and directors. By ‘33 Jayne Fix Meyer and Evelyn Jean Coates Seyfried (sister of Harold Coates) rotated the organist position on the Hammond organ. Sue Utterback started on the piano in the white frame church in ‘47 and continues to use her talents today. Others were Gary Sampson, Merle Johnson, Barbara Guthrie Hendershott, Judy Prosch, Mike Bossingham, Betty Gray, Dave Jeffries, Marcia Graham, Pat Hutchison, and Shirley Cox. Then there was Frances Miller Graham White who celebrated 60 years of service as organist in ‘85. She was just a child in ‘25, when her father announced his daughter could then play. And the rest is history.

In ‘48 Gerald Utterback organized/directed a choir until ‘52 when Harold Lee Coates became the Choir Dir./Minister of Music until ‘84. During those 32 years he took a few breaks; Sue Meyers was Choir Dir. from ‘68-‘71; Michelle Goetz assisted in ’83, and became Choir Dir. ‘84-‘86. Sue Utterback Moffatt for 18 years was Choir Dir. until 2004 when Patti Davidson became Organist/Dir.of Music and Admin. of the CCLI account.

Bill Davidson sang the same solo “Bless This House” for the last service in the white frame church and the current building’s Consecration Day services. Max Danner and Francis Dankelman (Dink) were soloists and Dink was Youth Choir Dir. in ‘54.

In ‘42, Bill Sawyer, cornet, and Tom Swift, clarinet, provided special music. Later in '70 the quartet of Roberta Roberts, cello; Tim Roberts, trumpet; Maurice Oldham, baritone; Sue Moffatt, piano was assembled. Organized in 2005 the Praise Tymers Praise Band members were: Will Roleson, alto sax; Rick Oldham, tenor sax; Billy Cash, baritone sax; Cristy Roleson, clarinet/trombone; Elaine Huehls, clarinet; Amber Steele, flute; Maurice Oldham, trumpet; Bill Holwager, trumpet; Nicole Kistner, trumpet; Pat Hutchison, trumpet; Patti Davidson, keyboards; and Cheri Hittel, Susan Wood and Tracy Campbell vocals.

Mass Cathedral Chimes were given by Genevieve & Harry Danner for Franz Danner in May ‘44, right after a new Hammond organ was dedicated at the mortgage burning ceremony. In ‘51 a baby grand piano was given by

Leroy G. and Cordelia Fix in memory of son John William Fix. In ‘80 the PA system to the original Tower Chimes was given in memory of WW II Veterans of Edgewood Church by Paul & Inez Heath. The Tower chimes attached to the Allen Organ TC3 (given in memory of Harry C. Danner in ‘64 purchased with money Mr. Danner willed to the church) had a small keyboard which activated music in the tower.

A Kimball baby grand piano was given by Thelma & Willis Fix, Maxene & Morris Fix, Jayne & (Dutch) Frederick Meyer in memory of loved ones. The needlepoint piano bench cover was given by Vera Frances High, and piano lamp given by Fred & Frances Graham White.

In ‘83 the Allen Digital Computer Organ with key cards replicating many instruments had chimes included. The decision to sell the tower keyboard through Maurice Oldham received a $100 offer by a man with the Jack Daniels Solo Cornet Band. In ‘82 new tower chimes (given in memory of her Mother Edith Johnson by Harold & Wynema Coates) were stolen soon after installation and the insurance money they received was applied to the Allen Digital Computer Organ purchased in ‘83 which still is used today. In addition to the trade-in, 100% of the cost of the new organ was pledged prior to the purchase. In ‘97 the CASIO keyboard was purchased..

In ‘90 a three octave Handbell set was purchased by Mildred Randall in memory of her husband Earl Randall. Maurice Oldham started the Bell Choir with 15 members, assisted in the purchase of bell tables, pads and white gloves for the ringers. Bell cases were secured in a locked cabinet given in memory of Betty Sawyer Berkebile by Rev. Robert Berkebile. Kim Wurtz, wife of Associate Pastor Don Wurtz became Bell Choir Director and when they left Ruth Ann Willis was hired. Organist Shirley Cox led the group in 2002 and from 2004-05 Jennifer Lane Eckstein was the leader of Ravenna Lane, Roseanna Brown, Nicole Kistner, Dawn Passmore, Carolyn McDonald, and Nancy Burcham.

As a student at Southport High School, Harold Coates organized “The Missionaires Quartet.” with Morris Miller, first tenor; Harold Coates, second tenor; Francis Dankelman, baritone; and Ray Gibson, bass. The group started in ‘39 and performed until the ‘60s

A ladies trio was formed in ‘51, with Betty Sawyer, Wynema Coates and Frances Graham. Sue Utterback Moffatt replaced Betty Sawyer; Maxine Oldham replaced Wynema Coates in ‘91. In ‘86 Pat Hutchison replaced Frances Graham White, and Susan Wood replaced Maxine Oldham. This trio has evolved over 56 years.

In ‘51 Sue Utterback Moffatt and Nancy White Klinger sang in the Chancel Choir as teenagers, and joined together to form a duet for years.

“SMOG”, or “The Singing Messengers of God” Youth Choir, under Director Ron Neesen began in the fall of ‘74 and enjoyed four years of touring churches and witnessing for the Lord. Rev. Ned Steele was Student Associate Pastor -Youth Director (‘74-‘79) during this time and it was under their leadership that this choir was very successful. Fall of ‘77, Jack Fix was appointed director but this group ended shortly thereafter. Those who participated at one time in the group were: Ben Arndt, Danny Arndt, Steve Ayers, Karen Anderson, Gary Ayers, Anna Crowder, Jack Fix, Keith Fix, Stephen Fix, Mary Faye Fraker, David Fye, Beverly Gray, Mark Hayes, DiDi Heath, Shelby Kinnick, Nancy Leckrone, Duane Lytle, Pam Lytle, Kevin Miles, Beth Moffatt, Rindy Moffatt, Bryan Murphy, Duane Murphy, Shannon Murphy, Teri Nunn, Doug Oldham, Kathy Reed, Joy Sawyer, Brent Steele, Gary Steele, Scott Steele, Mark Stoddard, Sharon Stoddard, Chris Swails, Edie Swails, Amy Tardy, Laura Tardy, Chris Webb, Karen Webb, Louise Webb, Susie Webb, and Debbie Wheeler.