Meet the Organist and Choir Director:

Mary Schowalter

Mary plays the organ for the worship services. She also directs the choir and has been instrumental in getting more people involved in the choir. She also has set out to find those individuals in Salem who play musical instruments so that the Salem community can "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Come and listen as Mary enhances and edifies our worship of our Creator and Savior through the musical talents found at Salem!

TOP TEN REASONS TO JOIN THE MUSIC MINISTRY

10. You've been wanting to ring someone's chimes for years and Handbell Choir is just the ticket.

9. You have a tendency to get egg on your clothes at Sunday breakfast and the choir robe will cover it up.

8. You heard that if you could blow a horn you could be in the orchestra but you're wondering how you'll get the Isuzu(R) in the sanctuary.

7. Someone once said you sing well, and after all, moms are totally unbiased.

6. You played in the band in high school and you think you could get your clarinet back from T.G.I. Friday's.

5. You're dying to know what [name someone] is talking about during rehearsals!

4. You pulled out the old Beatles albums the other day and you think you sound every bit as good as Paul.

3. Larnelle called; the duet album is off.

2. You once burped the entire national anthem in fifth grade and anybody that creative needs an outlet.

1. There is a song in your heart longing to be sung. God wrote it and it's all about how he loves you. It's his favorite and it never ends!

- From the "Evangel," newsletter of the First Baptist Church, Columbus, MS, August 18, 1999 (Vol. 67, No. 32)

A Choir Director's Beatitudes

.... And, seeing the long Church Year before them, and knowing the awesome role that music must play in the worship services that lay ahead, the Choir Director called together the singers and spake to them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
those who are willing to blend their voices into a harmonious ensemble,
for theirs is the music of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn when forced to miss rehearsal,
but call to inform the Director of their anticipated absence,
for in these faithful few shall the Director find comfort.

Blessed are the meek,
who submit themselves to following the Director,
for they shall merit great worth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after rehearsals are concluded,
bringing with them neither gum nor goodies,
for they shall be filled with music.

Blessed are the merciful, who take pity on the music's composer,
careful to read the original notes, follow the original time,
proclaim resoundingly the original message,
for they shall obtain mercy from discriminating critics.

Blessed are the pure in pitch, in tone, in enunciation,
for their voices shall blend in moving harmonies,
enabling others to envision God.

Blessed are the music-makers,
for they shall be called the heralders of God.

Blessed are ye singers when the Director shall seem to persecute you
for the sake of the final rendition;
be patient and rejoice,
for of such perfection is the music of heaven.

Blessed are ye when other choirs shall revile you,
and turn their ears from you, and say all manner of evil against you jealously.
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heavenly satisfaction that you have sung faithfully and well-
for so disparaged they the great singers who were before you ...
perhaps even that Bethlehem choir of Angel voices!