![[Under Construction]](_borders/PC_USA_LOGO.jpg){kind=logo}
La Mesa Music Ministry
Music at La Mesa begins with the folks in the pews. We have a strong tradition of congregational song. Our primary resource is the 1990 PRESBYTERIAN HYMNAL: Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual Songs. We both sing the familiar hymns and, as they reflect on the themes of our worship, explore the lesser-known treasures. The Spanish selections in the hymnal have been embraced by the congregation and we always sing them in some combination of Spanish and English.
Most of our congregational song is accompanied on a pipe organ installed by the Moeller Company in 1981 and upgraded beginning in 2003. When completed, it will have three divisions with 16 ranks.
The largest of our music ensembles is the Chancel Choir, which regularly numbers between 25 - 30 members. The group rehearses on Wednesday evenings, is open without audition to all adults and has included high school students, as well. Singing a wide variety of repertoire - from African gathering songs to American shape-note hymns to Orthodox chants - the Chancel choir provides music for worship from early September through Pentecost Sunday.
The Holy Tollers is the name given to our hand bell choir. It ordinarily consists of 10 ringers, mostly adults, but occasionally includes serious high school students. Participating in worship approximately once a month from September through May, the choir plays a 3 1/2 octave set of Whitechapel English handbells.
Our Children's Ensembles meet on Wednesdays as part of our "Kids Club" midweek program. A "Beginners" group includes kids from preschool through first grade, and the "Juniors" those from 2nd through 5th grades. Both groups sing in worship every 3 - 4 weeks from September through May.
David Poole, Director of Music, has guided the program at La Mesa since 1989. He has a Masters Degree in choral conducting and vocal pedagogy, and, in addition to his position at the church, is director of the de Profundis a cappella men's ensemble and a private voice teacher. ( http://www.depro.org ) He is also a composer whose publishers include Warner Brothers, Kjos Music, Santa Barbara Music, Oxford University Press, and Transcontinental Music Publishers.
Stephen Montoya is the La Mesa organist, having served this church for 18 years. Stephen obtained his Masters Degree in Piano Performance from the University of New Mexico and has concertized throughout the South West and the East Coast. Stephen is a faculty member at The Piano Wellness Seminar and lectures at the University of New Mexico.