First Methodist of Downers Grove celebrates 50 years serving youth through music

Posted June 07, 2023 11:00 pm

Submitted by Kay Kendall

Hand held calculators were introduced; Nixon resigned; multiple generations of cellphones evolved; the world met Harry Potter; Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neill and LeBron James each took to the court; and through it all the First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove, Illinois sustained a commitment to music ministry for youth participating in its Chapel Touring Choir.

Current and alumni members of the choir will mark the occasion by coming together to sing and celebrate on Sunday, June 11.

The program began in 1969, a tumultuous time in America, with a three-day "guitar band" tour initiated by Lois Lawrence, the church choir director at the time.

Shortly after the church made the commitment to include a full-time minister of music. This decision brought John Neve and his wife, Jane, to the community. John served as Minister of Music at the church through 1984 and during these years he led the Chancel (adult) Choir, the Chapel (youth) Choir, initiated and developed a handbell program that is thriving today, and went above and beyond the requirements of the job by establishing an annual touring program for the Chapel Choir.

The first tour choir set out over spring break in 1972, destination Nashville, Tennessee, with concert stops along the way.

Thus began 50 years of adventures throughout the U.S. and Canada. Any destination that could be reached and returned from in seven days of bus travel was possible. These adventures included gracious host churches and host families, sleeping on the floor of hundreds of church youth rooms and fellowship halls, new friends made, traditions created, and stories that will continue to be told.

Many families now include two generations of "tour choir" kids. The first participants are nearing age 70, the youngest, still in high school, have just completed their tour in March of 2023.

The Chapel Choir at First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove is one of the most successful across the United States.

Noted not only for its longevity, and its impact on young people over generations, the program is now a model for churches and youth programs trying to rebuild choirs in a post- COVID world.

Fifty years is a long time to keep such a program going.

On Sunday, June 11, an estimated 150 "tour choir alumni" will gather at the 10:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove, to sing together under the direction of former music conductors John Neve, Brett Goad and Belford Hernandez. A rehearsal and luncheon will take place on Saturday, June 10, to prepare for the anniversary celebration.

More information is available on facebook.com/groups/50thChapelChoirTourCelebration.

Chapel Choir Tour Stops

• 2023 Chicago with director Nick Loos;

• 2020-22: No tour due to COVID

• 2019: Dallas/Ft. Worth with director Nick Loos;

• 2018: Savannah, GA with director Nick Loos;

• 2017: New Orleans, LA with director Joy Belt-Roselieb

• 2016: New York, N.Y. with director Joy Belt-Roselieb

• 2015: Pensacola, FL with director Chad Goetz

• 2014: Myrtle Beach, S.C. with director Chad Goetz

• 2013: New Orleans with director Chad Goetz

• 2012: New York, N.Y. with director Chad Goetz

• 2011: Toronto, Canada with director Belford Hernandez

• 2010: Philadelphia, PA with director Belford Hernandez

• 2009: New Orleans, LA with director Belford Hernandez

• 2008: New York, N.Y. with director Belford Hernandez

• 2007: Wilmington, NC with director Belford Hernandez

• 2006: Washington, D.C. with director Belford Hernandez

• 2005: Atlanta, GA Mon with director Belford Hernandez

• 2004: New York, N.Y. with director Belford Hernandez

• 2003: Dallas/Fort Worth, TX with director Belford Hernandez

• 2002: Boston, MA with director Belford Hernandez

• 2001: St. Simons Island, GA with director Holly McGee

• 2000: New York, N.Y. with director Brett Goad

• 1999: Pensacola, FL with director Brett Goad

• 1998: Virginia Beach, VA with director Brett Goad

• 1997: Toronto, Canada with director Brett Goad

• 1996: Hilton Head, SC with director Vicky Chapman

• 1995: New York, N.Y. with director Vicky Chapman

• 1994: Myrtle Beach, SC with director Vicki Robinson

• 1993: Orlando, FL with director Vicki Robinson

• 1992: New Orleans, LA "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor" with director Vicki Robinson

• 1991: Hilton Head, SC with director Vicki Robinson

• 1990: New York, N.Y. with director Vicki Robinson

• 1989: Atlanta, GAwith director Dave Gladstone

• 1988: Washington, D.C. with director Dave Gladstone

• 1987: New Orleans, LA with director Dave Gladstone

• 1986: Boston, MA with director Dave Gladstone

• 1985: New York, N.Y. with director Dave Gladstone

• 1984: Dallas, TX with director John Neve

• 1983: Atlanta, GA with director John Neve

• 1982: Toronto, Canada with director John Neve

• 1981: Washington, D.C. with director John Neve

• 1980: Orlando, FL Mon. with director John Neve

• 1979: Colorado Springs, CO with director John Neve

• 1978: New York, N.Y. with director John Neve

• 1977: Atlanta, GA with director John Neve

• 1976: Dallas, TX with director John Neve

• 1975: Colorado Springs, CO with director John Neve

• 1974: Washington, D.C. with John Neve, Director

• 1973: Iowa with director John Neve

• 1972: Memphis, TN with director John Neve

• 1969: St. Louis, three-day weekend tour, with director Lois Lawrence

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