Kurt R. Hansen retires

Kurt R. Hansen retired in July as music director for St. Pauls United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois, after thirty-five years of service. During his tenure the size of the adult Chancel Choir increased. The group regularly sang anthems and motets not only in English but also in German, French, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, and Old Church Slavonic, as well as spirituals and Gospel music. Hansen encouraged the formation of the St. Arbucks Quartet, a Gospel and jazz ensemble that shared worship music every Sunday. The 45-member Intergenerational Orchestra was formed with congregants ranging in age from ten to over ninety years, conducted by Mark Mosely. In addition, the St. Pauls Brass, formed with volunteers, played four to five worship services each year. Between 1998 and 2000 the four-manual 1959 Aeolian-Skinner organ was refurbished, including adding the six prepared-for stops that were in the original plan.