For the week of January 8 - 14, 2003

Seasonal services feature contemporary music

---

By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Poor R.L. Rowsey has nothing to do. Rowsey’s jobs include being music program director of the Light on the Mountains Church at Gimlet View; managing director, as well as musical director and occasional composer, for Company of Fools, and assistant conductor of Caritas Chorale. And, now, because he apparently wasn’t busy enough, he’s starting the St Thomas Contemporary Music Group.

"I was visited by three angels, and I couldn’t turn them down. How could I say no? Musically—in the valley—there’s Dick Brown, Brian Baker does so much, and Anna (Johnson), I love her energy and she’s one of the Richmondites."

Brown is the director of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Choir and the Caritas Chorale; Baker is St. Thomas’ rector, and Johnson is St. Thomas’ director of children’s ministry and directs theatrical events at the church.

Barely resistant, Rowsey allowed himself to be induced to start a program to organize music for the 5 p.m. Aprés Ski Services on Saturday afternoons that St. Thomas provides during ski season. The church is located in Ketchum on Sun Valley Road.

The St Thomas Contemporary Music Group, which continues to welcome new members, started rehearsals a month ago. It currently has about 16 members, including Jennifer Perry, Helen Weaver, Patrick Dawson and Sheila Summers. Its premiere is the Jan. 11 services, which start at 5 p.m.

"One of my goals is that we learn something about music along the way, but definitely that it’s a fun time," Rowsey said. "It’ll be a real variety of music. We can’t decide till we see who’s singing and playing."

Some of the music that’s being considered, said Rowsey, is "folk music, things that might speak about community caring for itself in a contemporary way, things that Brian feels will meld into the services -- Simon & Garfunkel, Peter, Paul and Mary -- and things that can integrate instruments."

A native of Richmond, Va., Rowsey began his career as a pianist and conductor. He worked as a vocal coach, and was the musical director and conductor for many national tours, including productions of "Fiddler on the Roof," "Singing in the Rain," and "Kiss of the Spiderwoman." He also directed several productions in the Richmond and Washington, D.C., areas. He has held teaching positions with The Studio Conservatory of D.C., The Kennedy Center’s Theatre for Young People, and The Columbia School of Theatrical Arts in Columbia, Md.

On the administrative side of the arts, Rowsey was the associate artistic director at TheatreVirginia. He toured the country as the company manager for national tours of "Gypsy" and "State Fair."

"I love working with music," he said. "I only got involved in arts administration six years ago. A little free time to do musical stuff is a gift."

St Thomas Contemporary Music Group. rehearses Wednesdays during January from 6:30-8:30 and then in February it’ll rehearse on Monday evenings. For more information, contact Anna Johnson at 726-5349, ext. 13.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.