Meet the Music Committee of South Church
Karen McCarthy– Acting Committee Secretary
Karen McCarthy has been a member of South Church for 4 years. She is a former music educator and current member of South Church folk. Karen lives in Portsmouth with her partner and daughter and is looking forward to being a part of the rich musical experiences offered at South Church.
Stephen Shanley – Acting Chairman
Steve Shanley joined South Church as a member in February of this year and currently chairs the Music Committee. Steve has been contributing to the music committee for close to a year and also has ushered for a period of time as well. Steve resides in Hampton, NH with his wife Mary, and two children Matthew (17) and Catherine (14). Steve's oldest son Michael (20) is attending Ole Miss University. Steve loves all types of music from Folk Acoustic to Classical to Hard rock; the louder the better, (especially while running). Steve participates in the South Church Folk Group and is very excited to contribute to the rich music history and vitality of the music program here at South Church. Steve’s day job is that of Vice President of Sales for The Henry Company, a construction products manufacturer specializing in sustainable construction.
June Bernard-Kriegl
June has been attending South Church steadily for the past 10 years and intermittently for 15 years before that! She is responsible for starting "South Church Folk" 3 years ago. She welcomes anyone 17 years or older to join the group if they love to sing or play a stringed instrument. No audition required; just a love of music! This past year she has also joined the Fellowship Associates and views this role as being beautifully aligned with folk group, hoping to bring ‘South Church Folk’ together in fellowship, music, and joy! June lives with her partner, Keryn and their two sons, Joshua (16) and Spencer (13), in Dover.
Katy Baucke
Katy has been a member of South Church since the early 1980”s. She has been a previous member of the Music Committee and has recently rejoined after taking a hiatus to serve on Transition Committee. Katy lives in Portsmouth NH. She is a visual artist, writer and amateur musician. She has 4 children (ages 30 -12), who have all participated in the RE program at South Church. She love South Church, and believe the Music Program is very important.
Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy and his wife, Alyssa relocated to Portsmouth from New York City in the fall of 2009. Soon after that joyous transition they began attending South Church with their two daughters, Eden (5) and Amelia (2.5). In addition to his service on the Music Committee, Brian teaches in the RE program and is a trained OWL Facilitator to the Senior Youth. He is principal architect of Manypenny Murphy Architecture and a passionate amateur musician, playing classical guitar and having led an adventurous life as a singer in various choirs and vocal ensembles in New York City. Among his many favorite experiences is having the opportunity to be one of 40 autonomous voices in Thomas Tallis's mighty "Spem In Alium."
Jack Reynolds
Jack Reynolds, a 6-year member of South Church, serves on the Music Committee, and formerly on the Interim Minister Search Committee and Transition Team. He sang in the Masterworks Chorale (Boston) for 32 years, was a member of the American Guild of Organists (Boston Chapter--AIDS Services Coordinator), is an avid collector of classical LPs, CDs and cassettes, and a subscriber to the Portland Symphony. He lives in South Berwick with wife, Kate, 3 cats, Meowzart (Meows), Purrcini (Purrs), and Rovell (Rover), and a Yorkie, Togo. They have two daughters, Carol, a UCC minister in Cadillac, MI, and Gwen of Rollinsford, and a 12-year-old grand-daughter Aiyana.
Joanne Connolly- Music Consultant
Joanne has been a member of South Church for 21 years.
She is now acting as the South Church Music Consultant during this transitional period. She has a degree in Voice and Choral Conducting. Joanne is the founding director of "Voices from the Heart", a 200 voiced women's world music chorus (founded in 1995), and "Con Tutti", a 100 voiced world music chorus formen and women (founded in 2000). "Voices" will release their5th c.d. later this year, and will take their third international music tournext summer to Cuba. Previous tours have been to Ireland and to Croatia.Joanne was also a choral director and music teacher for the York school system.
During her time as Music Consultant for South Church, Joanne is workingwith the music committee, speaking with the new ministerial candidates,offering choir opportunities for South Church members on Thursday nights,communicating with the Board, acting as part of the South Church staff,and bringing in guest musiciansfor Sunday worship.