Village Presbyterian wants to help people ‘create a connection’ with these programs

The music-loving, kindhearted congregation of Village Presbyterian Church is not letting the pandemic keep it down. COVID-19 has certainly taken a toll on the Prairie Village church, renowned for its music program led by Will Breytspraak, as well as its charitable activities. Live concerts in the church have been put on hold, and all on-site worship has been suspended.

But Breytspraak and his team — which includes principal organist Elisa Williams Bickers, associate director of music ministry Matthew Shepard and music coordinator Carol Dale — have put their considerable brain power together to come up with creative alternatives.

Village Presbyterian has planned an autumn full of musical delights readily available online and free, from musical education to otherworldly Taizé chants.

“Hopefully we can come out on the other end of this thing actually better in some ways,” Breytspraak said. “We’re already seeing deeper friendships and gaining some musical skills that we didn’t have. But the toughest nut to crack is how we can serve at this time. We’ve been trying really hard to find ways to actually serve the community.”

One way is through Village Presbyterian’s popular second Thursday noon-time recitals, which can now be heard online.

“Those concerts were never a benefit,” Breytspraak said. “But now they’re a benefit for Harvesters Community Food Network. People need to be able to help people. We feel that’s part of our ministry … facilitating helping.”

Village Presbyterian is known for its history of social activism, which goes back to its founding in 1949 and its first minister, Robert H. Meneilly. During this time of civil unrest and heightened awareness of social injustice, Village Presbyterian continues its legacy with “Black Music Matters: Scriptures and Music of Slavery and Freedom.” Co-taught by Breytspraak and Village Presbyterian’s senior associate Rodger Nishioka, it’s a three-week course exploring the black musical experience.

“This class is a way not just to educate people, but to challenge them in conversations with black musicians,” Breytspraak said.

Each week will feature a different guest, including Evelyn White, a jazz pianist based in Atlanta; Darian Clonts, a specialist on “Treemonisha,” Scott Joplin’s ragtime opera; and composer and arranger Brandon Waddles, noted for his research into the roots of the Negro spiritual, which has been likened to the early music search for authenticity in baroque and classical music.

“It’s important that we not just be proud of the civil rights tradition at Village Church, but that we constantly challenge ourselves to advance that,” Breytspraak said. “That’s why we are pouring ourselves into this class. We’re trying to do the right thing at the right time.”

People are going through unprecedented stress right now, but Village Presbyterian is offering much-needed opportunities for calm reflection. On Sept. 22, Oct. 20 and Nov. 17, the church will present Taizé Worship: Readings, Prayers, Music, and Silence. Named after Taizé, France, where a monastic community of Catholic and Protestant brothers was founded in 1940, Taizé is a hypnotic vocal style drawn from the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

“Elisa Bickers leads our Taizé worship and we have a couple of wonderful musicians, Matt and Laurel Schaich, who play violin and piano,” Breytspraak said, adding that Laurel Schaich also sings.

Village Presbyterian is also offering a chance to deepen musical appreciation with several free classes featuring some of Kansas City’s favorite musicians. Musicianship Mondays is a weekly Zoom class for musicians from beginners to seasoned pros.

“Jan Kraybill (organist at Community of Christ and conservator of the Helzberg Hall organ) is on Musicianship Mondays,” Breytspraak said. “When she agreed to join me, all these people started signing up because she’s such a great teacher.”

“A Divertimento with Destiny: Music Appreciation you can relate to!” is taught by Destiny Ann Mermagen, who bills herself as Classical Cowgirl, “Classically Trained and Fiddle Raised.”

“It’s always exciting when you have a musician as talented as Destiny that can also communicate a love for music,” Breytspraak said. “She can be absolutely hilarious and is a brilliant connector. She’ll give people tools for listening.”

2020 has left many people feeling unmoored and disconnected. As the year draws to a close, Village Presbyterian will offer a Thanksgiving Community Hymn Sing on Nov. 19 for loved ones to join together in song. Breytspraak says it will be live and interactive with people able to make hymn requests online.

“Some people can’t be with their families this Thanksgiving,” Breytspraak said. “So we hope to create a connection to each other and to tradition and the things we’re rooted in and the things we’re thankful for.

“There’s a beautiful thing about humanity, a beautiful spirit when we can actually get through something together. I go to Mr. Rogers who said, ‘When things get bad, look for the helpers.’ What we’re trying to do at Village Church this year is not just be the helpers, but help others realize they can also be helpers. I’m always thankful for the opportunity to help somebody out.”

The schedule:

▪ Sept. 21, 28, and Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 from 6:30-6:45 p.m. ”Musicianship Mondays” with Will Breytspraak and Jan Kraybill. Via Zoom. To participate, email William Breytspraak at william.breytspraak@villagepres.org.

▪ Sept. 22, Oct. 20 and Nov. 17 from 7-7:20 p.m. Taizé Worship: Readings, Prayers, Music and Silence. Broadcast at villagepres.org, the Village Music YouTube page and the Village Music Facebook page.

▪ Sept. 23 and 30 at 6:30 p.m. “Black Music Matters: Scriptures and Music of Slavery and Freedom” co-taught by Rodger Nishioka and Will Breytspraak with special guests. For more information, email Laura.Hobbs@villagepres.org or visit www.villagepres.org.

▪ Oct. 8 and Nov. 12 at 12:15 p.m. Second Thursday Recitals. All recitals will be broadcast at villagepres.org, the Village Presbyterian music ministry Facebook page and the Village Presbyterian YouTube channel. Free. Online offering for Harvesters appreciated.

▪ Oct. 8: John Deahl, organ

▪ Nov. 12: Judy Bliss, soprano

▪ Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Community Hymn Sing. Broadcast at villagepres.org, the Village Presbyterian music ministry Facebook page and the Village Presbyterian YouTube channel.

For more information about all music events and programs at the church, at 6641 Mission Road in Prairie Village, www.villagepres.org.

Midwest Chamber Ensemble

The glorious music of French composer Jean Langlais is not heard nearly often enough. Describing himself as “Breton, de foi Catholique” (a Breton of Catholic faith), Langlais is best known for his organ and choral music which often incorporates Gregorian chant themes. The Midwest Chamber Ensemble, led by Steve Lewis, will present a livestream concert today of a Langlais rarity, his Elegie for Winds.

Also on the program is Kurt Knecht’s Time and the River and Poulenc’s Mouvements Perpetuels. Originally written for piano solo, Poulenc compared his Mouvements Perpetuels to a “brisk stroll by the Seine.” They are perfect examples of Poulenc’s suave Parisian urbanity.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Livestreamed at the Midwest Chamber Ensemble Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MidwestChamberEnsemble and www.midwestchamberensemble.org. Free. Donations accepted.

You can reach Patrick Neas at patrickneas@kcartsbeat.com and follow his Facebook page, KC Arts Beat, at www.facebook.com/kcartsbeat.