HOLLYWOOD'S MUSIC PROGRAM
Spring 2009
Meet our new Director of Music Carolyn Bryant
During March, we were pleased to welcome Carolyn McLaurine Bryant into our Hollywood community as our new Director of Music. Carolyn has a wealth of experience in directing choirs, and also in performing.
Carolyn is from the south, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance, an directed choirs in Atlanta and Knoxville. In Southern California, Carolyn has served Christian choirs at Knox Presbyterian in Pasadena, Pasadena Church of the Brethren, Altadena Community Church and West Hollywood Presbyterian Church.
Carolyn sings soprano with Vox Femina Los Angeles, a highly-regarded women’s choral ensemble which performs frequently to packed houses. Janet Weber, our Organist, has served on the Board of Directors of Vox Femina, and it was Janet who introduced us to Carolyn Bryant.
Welcome, Carolyn. We look forward to creating beautiful music together!
Eldon was not only a talented and tireless choral conductor, but an imaginative composer, teacher and performer, whose energy and dedication transformed our music ministry. He also opened us to utilizing a diversity of styles and sounds in our worship life. In recent months, we have heard -- and been blessed by -- the sounds of . . . At right, Mark hits the drums to accompany the choir.
Thanks to our former Music Director, Eldon M. Turner III, Hollywood Lutheran's Music Program is much broader than singing in Sunday morning services. 
Choir
Our Choir has performed not only for Sunday liturgy and the Hollywood Interfaith Choir Festival, but also for television. Opportunities abound! Join us! Our weekly rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Handbell Choir -- rehearses seasonally, as announced. We have five octaves of Schulmerich English handbells, and are building the skills and experience to use these creatively in our music. If you love music, but are not a strong singer, this may be a wonderful way to help us make music together. Please contact us to join the Handbell Choir. Concerts and Special Events |  |
We periodcally arrange special vespers/concerts for the enrichment of our total program. Two recent special events at Hollywood Lutheran Church were warmly received by the community:
- "Hollywood Remembers" -- World AIDS Hollywood observance -- premier of "The Celestial Veil" by Christopher A. Flores and Adrain Ravarour; an ensemble from Vox Femina Los Angeles; street procession, etc. See: www.WorldAIDSHollywood.org.
- "These Our Gifts" -- Epiphany Concert and Celebration -- included over 50 performers including the Great American Yankee Freedom Band, combined choirs, soloists. This benefit concert raised money for the Hollywood-Los Feliz Kiwanis Club project to asisst with innoculations in Kiwanis International-supported orphanages in Bulgaria; and also received canned goods and staples to benefit the Hollywood Food Pantry.We have been blessed with the good fortune of guest musicians and ensembles who have performed here recently, such as the Hollywood Wind Ensemble/Great American Yankee Freedom Band, the Tutti Recorder Ensemble, and Vox Femina--L.A.
Community Opportunities
Hollywood Lutheran has a number of musical resources available for lessons, rehearsal and other community-oriented events: in addition to pipe organ and grand pianos, there is a concert harp, harpsichord, handbells, drums and other resources on premises. Instrumentalists are welcome to perform with us or to rehearse here!
Rehearsal/Studio Space Available
In addition to the Sanctuary, we have studio space available (by reservation) for music or photography. Call the Church Office at (323) 667-1212.
About Our Pipe Organ
In 2009-10, Hollywood Lutheran Church is undertaking a major rennovation and improvement of our 1920s-era organ, with the incorporation of a 20+ rank Reuter pipe organ from Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills. See: "Dear Wheezie: Help Is on the Way!" on the News page.