Welcome from Emerson’s Music Director, John Branch

Music is one of my greatest joys. I believe that music is an important part of the religious experience. Music can be used to create moods, elicit feelings, and in many ways help to reveal that which is divine in our world and in our faiths.

My musical choices parallel the UU approach to theology. I tend to use music from a wide variety of sources and traditions—from classical to modern, from sacred to pop. For the record, my favorite composers for piano are Debussy and Chopin, and my favorite choral composers include Randall Thompson and Henryk Gorecki. I love almost all types of music, and enjoy searching for new musical (and therefore new religious) experiences.

A Brief Biography Prior to becoming a Unitarian, John Branch was raised as a Baptist, licensed as a Methodist minister in college, then ordained as a lay minister in the United Churches of Christ (UCC). He has served churches in various capacities, from senior minister to music director to President of the Board of Trustees for over 20 years. During that time, he has delivered over 200 sermons. Most of that time he has been UU in thought, and he has been affiliated with UU churches for many years. After serving temporarily as Interim Director, John signed on to be Emerson’s permanent Music Director.

Please allow me to introduce myself (or, the Music Committee thought I should introduce myself, so here it is) Originally from Arkansas, I was raised as a Southern Baptist. That all changed when I went to a Methodist college. I received my B.A. in psychology from Hendrix College, a M.Ed. in educational technology from the University of Arkansas, and pursued further graduate work in educational psychology at Texas A&M.

By the time I graduated from Hendrix my theological perspective had moved almost into the UU realm. After several additional years of floating around the liberal side of theology, I joined Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church in the Woodlands. Shortly after joining, I became their choir director, a volunteer position. About a year later I was elected to their Board of Trustees, and became President of the Board during the second year of my term.

My musical background starts around age six. I grew up listening to my mother play the piano in our small country church. By first grade I was taking piano lessons. These continued off and on over the next 12 years. I was also active in band. By the time I reached college I was directing musicals, accompanying choirs and singing on a regular basis.

Before moving to Houston I sang in the Brazos Valley Chorale and the Friends Congregational Church (UCC) Choir. While at Friends UCC I started directing and composing, and directed their first Madrigal Dinner as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. From those early piano lessons to directing the Northwoods choir, music remains one of my greatest joys.

I believe that music is an important part of the religious experience. Music can be used to create moods, elicit feelings, and in many ways help to reveal that which is divine in our world and in our faiths. My musical choices parallel the UU approach to theology. I tend to use music from a wide variety of sources and traditions—from classical to modern, from sacred to pop. For the record, my favorite composers for piano are Debussy and Chopin, and my favorite choral composers include Randall Thompson and Henryk Gorecki. I love almost all types of music, and enjoy searching for new musical (and therefore new religious) experiences.

I am very excited about the music at Emerson this year, and invite everyone to join us—come and join the fun and excitement of Emerson’s music program! —John Branch

Learn to Play the Piano or Organ Both children and adults!
Anita Butt, our excellent keyboard artist, has a few openings for lessons on Emerson’s fine instruments. Her current students rave about her teaching method. You could be playing well soon—maybe even at an Emerson event some time! Talk with Anita after worship for more details or reach her by calling the church office.

Pippin! was Emerson’s Spring 2007 musical production. Anyone who saw Pippin! will affirm that it was absolutely magical. Congratulations to all who participated! Led by Music Director John Branch, starring Josh Wright, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. The play is based on the life of Pippin, son of the 8th-century king Charlemagne. The leading player tells us the tongue-in-cheek story of Pippin, who is on a quest to find his true calling in life. He goes through war, love, politics and many other adventures before finding the true meaning of life and settling down. (He must have been a Unitarian.) Pippin originally opened on Broadway October 23, 1972 and ran for 1,944 performances.

Our previous spring musical was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! In April 2006, under the direction of John Branch, Emerson this lighthearted Broadway musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It tells the story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and their adventures in Egypt. We had a marvelous turn out—nearly every seat was filled—and the performances were wonderful!