Musical Memorial Honors Church Choir Master

Cross Tracks Church in Liberty Hill, Texas, is honoring the memory of its late Choir Master in a unique and appropriate way- with a music garden on the grounds of the 152-year-old United Methodist Chapel.

The parishioners, who have funded the new garden, wanted to create a place for the community to commemorate Louine Noble who passed away in 2020. The former Choir Master was also a keen bass player in the church band, a talented opera singer, and a School Superintendent in Liberty Hill. Louine’s commitment to serving her community meant that friends and family of the church wanted to create a space for the whole community to enjoy and remember her.

The instruments were chosen and paid for by members of the church. The musical collection includes two Harmony Flowers, in indigo and red, which sing when struck with the moss green mallet. The Penta Post, is a cluster of five rainbow-colored chimes attached to a single stainless-steel post which makes a perfect music 'station' for pre-school children. There are plans by the church to add to the collection in the near future.

(Stock Images Shown)

Last month saw the instruments installed by the local Scout group, Boy Scout Troop 196. 17-year-old member, Connor Ford, headed up the installation as part of his course to be an Eagle Scout- the highest rank within the Boy Scouts of America. Connor arranged for over 20 volunteers to spend a weekend installing and creating the space ahead of Easter, which was the first official use of the garden. There will also be another celebration in the garden when Connor receives his new rank within the Scouts.

The instruments sit between the chapel and its children’s education center, meaning that they are used a lot by the 70-plus students of the pre-school and Sunday school. The children can make music in their free playtime, and they are also used when singing hymns. As well as benefiting the children of the community, the historic chapel is a popular attraction to people visiting Liberty Hill, and the music garden is a surprise addition.

Pam Turner, Chapel Restoration Co-chair and member of Cross Tracks Church who coordinated the project, comments; ”Music is at the heart of worship, so creating a music garden in memory of Louine, who was such a central figure within both the music community and wider community in Liberty Hill, seems a fitting way to pay tribute. I’m sure that we’ll be seeing budding music stars of the future learn their love of music thanks to our new music garden.”