Our Sing Harmony, Hungry Hearts (SHHH) in the Library guest song leader for October is Liesl Spitz. We have a common background in Music that Makes Community, the organization that is enriching and revitalizing the songs of the church with paperless, aural tradition techniques. I had the fortunate blessing of collaborating with her for a half day workshop at Concordia College, Moorhead earlier this month and am just thrilled that she is able to join us in October.---------------------------------
Points Of Light Music (PLM): Tell us about yourself.
Liesl Spitz (LS): Hello! I am a recent transplant to the Twin Cities. I’m on the path to ordination in the Lutheran Church, and for the next two years I’ll be working at Trinity Lutheran Congregation in Cedar-Riverside and Nonviolent Peaceforce in St. Paul. I’m originally from San Francisco and come to Minnesota by way of the east coast.
PLM: Why is singing important to you?
LS: I’m named after a character in the Sound of Music... How could singing not be important? ;)
I grew up singing with my family, practicing harmonies in church, singing in school choirs… I’ve never been “formally trained,” but after graduating college and moving to Brooklyn, singing became my entry point to finding community in church (and ultimately to thinking about ordination!).
PLM: Tell us about Music that Makes Community (MMC) and how it shows up in your song leading work.
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| Music that Makes Community logo |
LS: I first learned about MMC through St. Lydia’s Dinner Church in Brooklyn. MMC provided not only techniques for leading, but a theology to help me understand why worship and church are important to me— a way that we can be vulnerable together, embodying the courage, love and trust to which God calls us.
PLM: What was your first influential singing experience?
LS: Sitting next to my mom on the piano bench and singing show tunes, folk songs, and Sesame Street (Why are there so many songs about rainbows?). Singing together is a way to show unconditional love.
PLM: Do you have a singing dream?
LS: If I could choose a super power, it would be to hit “pause” on any moment and turn life into musical. So that I could walk into a busy street and begin a song, and suddenly everyone stops what they’re doing and throws in gorgeous harmonies, maybe even tap dancing in perfect coordination…If we’re talking realistic dreams, I am looking forward to the day when, God-willing, I will preside over Communion and bring my voice into service of the God and community in that way.
PLM: What else would you like us to know?
LS: I love song leading, and would love to practice it with you! I am available for teaching/leading in churches and other community settings.-------------------
SHHH in the Library is
Thursday, October, 5, 2017, 7-8:30 p.m.
at the East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul, MN
All are welcome.
Suggested donation is $5-10,
though no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
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