2021 - 2022
October 10, 2021 – 5:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Harp Collaborative Concert
(feat. Lynne Aspnes and Alison Reese on the harp)
November 14, 2021 – 5:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Holland Bach Society (https://hollandbachsociety.org)
Holland Bach Society Program / Program Insert (German/English translation)
January 16, 2022 – 5:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rising Stars Concert
(a collection of young musicians from Second Church and the community)
February 13, 2022 – 5:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard Newman, Organist
(a former organist of Second Church, now the Director of Music Ministries at St. James Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Michigan)
March 13, 2022 – 5:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Holland Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Quintet
Gabe Southard (flute) / Sarah Southard (oboe) / Gary June (clarinet) / Ruth Wilson (bassoon) /
Greg Bassett (horn)
April 24, 2022 – 3:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
West Michigan Children’s Choir
(under the direction of Kristin Goodyke & Sarah Malone)
May 15, 2022 – 5:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Holland Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music
Greg Bassett (horn) / Sarah Bast (piano) / Michelle Bessemer (violin) / Letitia Jap (violin)
2020-2021 Disclaimer
Our plans for this year have been made with hope that that pandemic will ease enough to allow for safe gathering indoors again, and with an awareness that we may be required to modify or even cancel some plans if necessary. We will update our plans as needed. Events that have been postponed will be rescheduled.
Please note that Second Church observes guidelines recommended by the CDC or required by state authorities. Masks and physical distancing will be expected from attendees, and limited seating will require that priority be given to those who have made advance reservations. Admission will still be free of charge.
Some of the dates and/or times below are tentative. Be sure to check back here often for an updated schedule or call the church office for more information.
2020-2021 Second Series Schedule of Events
September 20, 2020 – 5:00 p.m. – “Raise the Song” – An outdoor Sing-Along in the parsonage yard, in the comparatively safer singing environment.
October 18, 2020 – 5:00 p.m. – Resident Musicians in Concert: Performances for Organ and Piano, in the Sanctuary - Aaron Goodyke, Rachel Klompmaker, and Gordon Bruns provide the music for the “home-grown” concert, with organ works by Kuhnau, Stanford, Zipoli, Mathias, and others, plus piano/organ duets written or arranged by Gerald Near.
November 15, 2020 – POSTPONED – “Sublime Connections: Infusing the Ordinary with Grace” HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED, due to increasing severity of COVID rates locally. We hope to reschedule the performers and program in the near future when health and safety of performers and audience allow. We apologize for any inconvenience.
January 17, 2021 – POSTPONED – Music for Harpsichord and for Guitar – Featuring Linda Strouf on harpsichord, and David Purnell on guitar HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED.
February 21, 2021 – POSTPONED – Music from the Holland Symphony Orchestra and/or the Holland Youth Symphony Orchestra HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED.
March 14, 2021 – POSTPONED – An Irish Concert – Irish and Celtic music from Hilary Guter and friends HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED.
April 18, 2021 – POSTPONED – West Michigan Children’s Choir (directed by Kristin Goodyke) HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED.
May 16, 2021 – POSTPONED – Organ Recital – Featuring Richard Newman, a former organist of Second Church, now the Director of Music at Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandra, Virginia. POSTPONED TO A DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED.
(see below for previous series events)
2019-2020
September 29, 2019, 5:00 p.m. – Organ Recital by David Schout. The program opened with Fred Bock’s “Fantasy on Old Hundredth.” Next were three pieces from J.S. Bach: Trio Sonata No. 4 in E Minor (BWV 528), the Fugue in G Minor (BWV 578), and the chorale prelude “Blessed Jesus, We Are Here (Liebster Jesu)” (BWV 730). The program concluded with the complete Fifth Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Opus 42, No. 1, of Charles-Marie Widor.
October 20, 2019, 5:00 p.m. – Choral Festival – The Chancel Choir of Second Church was joined by the choirs of Hope Church and Third Reformed Church in Holland, and Faith Reformed Church in Zeeland. Eighty choristers joined voices to open the event with Martin Shaw’s “With a Voice of Singing,” and to close it with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “O How Amiable” and Peter Lutkin’s “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Each choir also contributed their own anthems:
Sanctuary Choir - Faith Reformed Church, Zeeland
“Hallelujah, Amen!” – G. F. Handel
“Look at the World” – John Rutter
“The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” – Tom FettkeChancel Choir - Hope Church, Holland
“If Ye Love Me” – Thomas Tallis
“What Does the Lord Require” – Eric Nelson
“O Christ, Surround Me” – Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, arr. William McNairChancel Choir - Second Reformed Church, Zeeland
“O Sing to the Lord a New Song” – Clayton White
“O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God” – Chaz Bowen
“Thou Hidden Love of God” – J. Aaron McDermidSanctuary Choir - Third Reformed Church, Holland
“Song of Thanksgiving” - Malcolm Archer
“Lux Aeterna/We Will Remember Them” - Nicholas Palmer
“As Pants the Deer” - Alfred V. Fedak
November 17, 2019, 5:00 p.m. – “Friends and Flutes” Jayne Gort and Ann DeHoog, accompanied by Jane Bosko, presented a program featuring music for two flutes. It included compositions and arrangements for flute across several generations: the music of Franz Doppler, Gabriel Fauré, and Léo Delibes; pieces by modern composers Rhonda Larson, Ian Clarke, and Astor Piazzolla; and sacred works arranged by Brent Olstad. The performers have been friends for many years, and the recital was an opportunity for them to collaborate in a special way.
December 15, 2019, 5:00 p.m. – “Carols and Lullabies” – This concert featured a work of Conrad Susa, “Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest.” First performed in 1992, this suite of Spanish carols is a charming work for chorus, harp, guitar, and marimba. The Chancel Choir of Second Church was joined by guest choristers, and the instrumentalists included area musicians that are known to many in Zeeland and Holland: Alison Reese on harp, David Purnell on guitar, and Bethany Dame on Marimba, as well as Aaron Goodyke and Gordon Bruns on organ. In addition to Susa’s work, the program included:
- “Hodie Christus Natus Est,” from A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten;
- “Still, Still, Still,” a carol sung by choir and congregation, adapted from a setting by Robert Hobby;
- “Berceuse,” by Louis Vierne, composed for organ in honor of his daughter;
- “Noels for the Harp,” from Six Noels Pour La Harpe, Opus 12, by Marcel Tournier;
- “Carols of the Manger,” citing “Away in a Manger” and “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” in a setting arranged for harp and organ by Dale Wood;
- The Interlude from A Ceremony of Carols;
- “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine,” arranged for harp and organ by Robert Hebble; and
- What Child Is This,” the familiar carol sung by congregation and supported by the instrumental ensemble.
January 26, 2020, 5:00 p.m. – “Awake My Soul” – Second Church is blessed with many wonderful musicians, including this new quartet composed of Pastors Miriam and Eric Barnes, former seminary intern and member Rachel Klompmaker, and Organ/Choral Scholar-in-Residence Aaron Goodyke. This program of music for voice, piano, and guitar was set in a calm atmosphere, allowing the attendees to settle into a contemplative and meditative experience.
February 23, 2020, 5:00 p.m. – Gary and Martha Matthews, performing a concert of various instruments and styles of music. Gary and Martha are both committed to using their God-given gifts for God’s glory and leading everyone they serve in worship. Their concerts include a diversity of music using the piano and organ, trumpet, voices, flute, and handbells. The diversity is also demonstrated in the genres of music styles used, from Classical to all types of Sacred music, all leading to people worshiping God.
The concert by The Rehoboth School Choir, Rehoboth, New Mexico, originally scheduled for April 1, was cancelled due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Their director, Bob Ippel, sent this to host institutions:
After lots of work and eager anticipation, we regret that due to the COVID-19 concerns, we have decided to do our part to "flatten the curve" by staying in New Mexico. I want to thank all of you for the invitation to be part of your communities and for the work you already had done on our behalf. I am very sorry for the inconvenience. We hope to do a "virtual tour" and will let you know when that might happen. The goal of our tour was to share the hope that we have in the fact that we are not our own, but belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ. And that is the message I send to you all on behalf of our students.
We can only imagine their disappointment, and we hope there will be another occasion to welcome them to West Michigan.
April 26, 2020, 3:00 p.m. – West Michigan Children’s Choir, under the direction of Kristin Baron, presenting its Annual Spring Concert, has been cancelled due to COVID-19.
May 17, 2020, 5:00 p.m. – Organ Recital by Richard Newman, a former organist of Second Church now Director of Music and Organist at Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA, has been cancelled due to COVID-19.
2018-2019
October 28, 2018 – A Festival of Hymns – Capping off a day of celebration and dedication of the “Deep and Wide” Capital Improvements project, “Five Solas” included anthems and hymns of various styles and periods, observing the pillars of the Reformation: Solely Scripture, Solely Grace, Solely Faith, Solely Christ, Solely to God by Glory. Music was performed by the Chancel Choir and congregation of Second Church, and by resident musicians Aaron Goodyke, Rachel Klompmaker, Gregg Elenbaas, Eric Barnes, and Gordon Bruns.
November 18, 2018 – Organ Recital: “After” – This first recital on the recently refurbished and improved Reuter Organ duplicated the same program performed in August, 2018, “Before” the project began. Commentary directed listeners’ attention to the various improvements and additions made to the organ. The program included works by Jehan Alain, J. S. Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, Neil Harmon, Paul Hindemith, and George McKay. Area organists with connections to Second Church and/or Zeeland included Jim Folkert, Rick Van Oss, David Schout, Aaron Goodyke, and Gordon Bruns.
January 13, 2019 – Harp Recital – Alison Reese and Martha Waldvogel/Warren provided a concert of works or harp solo and duet. The program included works by Carlos Salzedo; J. S. Bach and Claude Debussy, transcribed by Salzedo; Antoine Francisque, transcribed by Marcel Grandjany; Antonio Vivaldi and the Shakers, transcribed by Daniel Burton; George Gershwin, transcribed by Maurice Draughn; and Manuel de Falla, transcribed by Patti Masri-Fletcher.
February 24, 2019 – The Sacred Dance Ministry of Hope College visited Second Church in the morning worship service. They added their dance to contemporary songs: “All Thy Fullness,” by Zach Pedigo; “O Come to the Altar,” by Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Wade Joye, and Mack Brock; and “Rising Sun,” by David Leonard, Kyle Lee, Leslie Jordan, Paul Mabury.
March 10, 2019 – Hymn Sing – Rescheduled from a snowy and icy February 24, this informal gathering relied on attendees to name and request hymns and songs to sing. Singing was supported by resident musicians on piano, guitar, and organ.
March 24, 2019 – Organ Dedication Recital – Ronald Krebs, Vice President of the Reuter Organ Company and a former resident and organist in Grand Rapids, performed the celebratory concert. The program comprised: A Festive Entrada by Walter Pelz; Organ Hymn by Raymond Haan; Passacaglia in D Minor by Dietrich Buxtehude; “Sheep May Safely Graze” (BWV 208) by J. S. Bach, arr. Virgil Fox; Pièce d’Orgue (BWV 572) by J. S. Bach; Fantasie Alla Marcia Over "Het Wilhelmus" by Jan Zwart; “Où S’en Vont Ces Gais Bergers” (Where are those joyful shepherds going?) by Claude Balbastre; Psalm-Prelude III (23rd Psalm) by Herbert Howells; and Choral No. 3 in A Minor by César Franck.
April 28, 2019 – The West Michigan Children’s Chorus under the direction of Kristin Baron performed their spring concert.
May 19, 5:00 p.m. – Holland Area AGO Members’ Recital – Seven members of the Holland Area Chapter of the American Guild of Organists performed. The concert (and the performers) included: A Festive Intrada by Walter A. Pelz (Jane Bosko); “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by David Lowe and “Wondrous Love” by Dale Wood (James Folkert); “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” by Kenneth Varner (Marie Blaukamp); Consolation No. 4 in D-flat by Franz Liszt (Sander Owens); Four by Léon Boëllmann: Entree in E minor, Maestoso; Offertoire in D minor, Allegro; Verset in A Major, Poco Animato; Sortie in F Minor, Allegro non Troppo (Aaron Goodyke); Three by Paul O. Manz, in honor of the centennary of his birth, May 10: “God of Grace and God of Glory,” Cwm Rhondda; “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here,” Liebster Jesu; “Reprise,” Reflections on “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” (Gordon Bruns); “Highland Cathedral” by Charles Callahan (Linda Fulton); and Alleluyas by Simon Preston (Rhonda Edgington).