Midwest Boulevard Christian Church: Music

Choir History

Midwest Boulevard Christian Church

1955-2004

Our first choir began meeting in September of 1955 for practices on the first three Wednesdays of the month. Mary Hattendorf graciously served as the Choir Director from November 1956 through August 1963. Guy Burkhart assumed duties as Choir Director in September 1963 through June 1968. Deland Huston served as interim Choir Director from October 1, 1968 through December 1968. Leroy Wallace served as interim Choir Director from January 1969 until the end of June 1970. Irene Vickers was the Pianist from 1956 until January 1, 1970. Hazel Craddock then became the Pianist and continued until July 1, 1970. Emily Robinson was serving as the Church Organist during the 70s until Leon Whitesell joined the staff in 1973. Lavonna Whitesell began as Choir Director on July 1, 1970, and served until November 1990. Leon Whitesell joined the staff in 1973 as the Organist.

Beginning in 1972, every fall, usually in October, we had a Choir Retreat at the Oklahoma Christian Camp in Guthrie. We spent time preparing and learning Christmas music. Our choir retreats in Guthrie generally started Friday evening or early Saturday morning. We would have a big breakfast, prepared and served by Bonnie Mitchell, then would come the first practice of the day. Lavonna always had a schedule posted… There was no doubt in anyone’s mind… We were there to learn our music, visit, play games and enjoy good food – especially Lonnie’s Bundt Cake and Wayne Goodwin’s cinnamon rolls. By 1987 the choir had celebrated 15 years of annual choir retreats to Guthrie to prepare and learn our Christmas music. Through the efforts of Lavonna & Leon, we started a Youth Choir, which consisted of youth in 7th grade through 12th grade. Our youth choir totaled 58 in number at one time. We had several annual outings for the youth, usually during the spring, to Branson and Silver Dollar City, as well as Six Flags. On these trips, the youth would always perform.

In January 1978, Lavonna Whitesell proposed to the Board that we order hand bells. These were ordered and our hand bell choir came into being. This was a blessing to the Choir and to the congregation. Not only did we have an adult hand bell choir, we also had a youth hand bell choir. We usually tried to perform the hand bells during the Christmas and Easter holidays. We also became involved in an annual hand bell mass choir performance, which included several local churches in the area.

Norman Mears began his service as Choir Director, with Eva Mears at the organ and piano, in December 1991. Both are still serving. Our choir has gotten a little smaller in the past few years and our Fall Retreats are now held in our home church. We general start on Friday evening with a potluck supper and games to share along with a rehearsal. We practice several times on Saturday and have a snack for lunch. These are great times to fellowship with each other and learn our Christmas music. Our retreat ends on Sunday morning when we have communion and a brief worship service before departing.

Contributed by Leroy & Floy Wallace

1963

~~ December 12th ~~

1970-1974
[approximately]

1970

~~ December 13th ~~

1974

~~ December ~~
Choir Retreat

1975

~~ August 3rd ~~
Central Christian Church, Fort Worth

1976

~~ April ~~

1977

~~ February 20th ~~
Pre-Lenten Concert

~~ June 26th ~~
I Love America Concert

1978

~~ May 7th ~~
Spring Festival of Praise

~~ December 9th ~~
Christmas Program

~~ December 17th ~~
A Christmas Gift - children

1979

~~ April 3rd ~~
Classical Handbell Choir

~~ May 6th ~~
Spring Festival of Praise

undated
Handbell Choir

1980

~~ March 23rd ~~
Pre-Lenten Music Festival

~~ December 7th ~~

Children's Choir Program

~~ December 14th ~~

King of Love musical

1981

~~ March 24th ~~
Handbell Concert

~~ March 26th ~~
Handbell Concert

~~ March 28th ~~
Second Annual Handbell Festival

~~ May 3rd ~~
Spring Festival of Praise

1982

~~ March 29th ~~

Ringers to play in festival

The Oklahoman, Monday, Published: Mon, March 29, 1982

The English Handbell Choirs of Midwest City will participate Saturday

in a Handbell Festival at the Community Center, East Reno and Midwest Boulevard, with a public performance at 2 p.m. This will be the festival's third year. More than 100 handbell ringers, including nine choirs presenting solo and mass ringing, will perform.

The mass ringing will be directed by Pattie Arnold. Choirs will include First Christian Church, directed by Mary Hattendorf; Midwest Boulevard Christian Church, LaVonna Whitesell, director; and Wickline United Methodist Church, Jay Aiken, director.

Also performing will be youth and adult choirs from Country Estates Baptist Church, directed by Linda Clark; Tinker Protestant Chapel, Patricia Bentley director; youth and adult choirs from Meadowood Baptist Church and Classic Handbell Choir, Pattie Arnold, director.