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Vocal Groups Chancel Choir Choral Ensemble Faith Journey Voices in Praise JABOA Together Instrumental Groups Handbell Choir Piano Quartet Handbell Ensemble Vocal Group Chancel Choir The Chancel Choir has approximately 80 singers, rehearses on Thursdays at 2:20 p.m. in the sanctuary; and sings at almost every Sunday service from September through May plus special services such as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, ordinations, and Presbytery services. Their accompanist is Joyce Rader. They sing sacred music in varied musical styles and use a variety of instruments to enhance the choral arrangements. Vocal Group Choral Ensemble The Desert Palms Choral Ensemble is an auditioned group, consisting of 28 singers. They rehearse on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the Chapel. They sing at independent-living and assisted-living residences; programs for area churches and community organizations; and at occasional worship services, special programs, new member sessions, and social gatherings at Desert Palms. Joyce Rader is their accompanist. We are also accompanied by John Clark, bass; Roberta Fogel, percussion; John Huston, clarinet; Katie Iverson, flute; Jack Jackino, drums; and Dan Reed, trumpet/flugelhorn for many of our performances. Vocal Group JABOA JABOA is a women’s choir of 20 singers. That stands for Just A Bunch Of Altos. They sing occasionally for church services and special events in the church. They rehearse on an as-needed basis. Janet Neese is their accompanist. They sing mostly sacred music. Vocal Group Faith Journey Faith Journey is our women’s small ensemble of six singers. Joyce Rader is their accompanist. They rehearse on Wednesdays at 4:00 in the Chapel and sing for church services and special programs at Desert Palms and also at assisted and independent living residences, other churches, and community events. They sing sacred and secular music. Vocal Group Voices in Praise Voices in Praise is our men’s small ensemble of six singers. Mary Jo Rodriguez is their accompanist. They rehearse on Tuesdays at 3:30 in the Chapel and sing for church services and special programs at Desert Palms and also at assisted and independent living residences, other churches, and community events. They sing sacred and secular music. Vocal Group Together Together, which is Faith Journey and Voices In Praise combined, is comprised of 12 singers. They rehearse on an as-needed basis and sing for church services and special programs at Desert Palms and also at assisted and independent living residences, other churches, and community events. Mary Jo Rodriguez is their accompanist. They sing sacred and secular music. Instrumental Group Handbell Choir The Desert Palms Handbell Choir has 12 members, rehearses on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Music Room, and plays for worship services approximately once per month and for special concerts. They play mainly sacred music, but also some secular concert pieces. Instrumental Group Piano Quartet The Desert Palms Piano Quartet plays eight hands on four pianos! They rehearse on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. They play for church services and special programs and concerts at Desert Palms. Mary Jo Rodriguez is our resident arranger for this group, which plays both sacred and secular music. Instrumental Group Handbell Ensemble Coming soon.

Wendy Fentiman

Director of Music Ministry

Find out more about Wendy.

A Letter from Wendy

Wendy Fentiman’s résumé, which she sent to our search committee, said right at the top that her objective is “to help build and lead the music ministry to God’s glory at Desert Palms Presbyterian Church by directing choirs in praising God through vocal and instrumental music and in leading the congregation in song through a variety of musical styles and formats.”

Wendy is a talented musician with impressive credentials both as a musician and as a church music director. Wendy’s skills are multiple. She is also an experienced handbell director; has been a singer on demonstration recordings produced by the Augsburg-Fortress Press Publishing Company; and directed church choirs of various sizes and age-groupings at Congregational and Lutheran churches in Minnesota (Bayport and Marine-on-St. Croix) for a number of years before moving here.

She is an alumna of St. Cloud (MN) State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in vocal/choral music and is a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR). She also sings with the 80-voice West Valley Chorale and directs the Desert Divas, a women’s vocal ensemble here in the West Valley.