An Evening of Classical Music with Dean Voegtlen

On March 7 the Music Committee and the Faith in Action Commission jointly sponsoreda benefit concert of classical music in our sanctuary. It featured the RussianString Quartet performing Haydn, Bach, and Brahms, with Dean Voegtlenjoining the group for Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet, Opus 115 (see photo below).

Why is an evening of classical music a topic for this column? First, it demonstratesthe power of teamwork in helping our community. Several years ago, we choseto work more closely with StepUp on Second. This is a wonderful institution that works to reintegrateindividuals with severe and persistent mental illness back into society. Wehelp this group in a variety of ways. For example, Lyn Armondo and a team of50 volunteers provide a monthly meal for the residents of Step Up on Second.Now, thanks to the teamwork of Faith in Action, the Music Committee, and ourGenerous Congregation program, we raised $729 for this worthy cause.

The second reasonis personal. I would like to recognize Dean Voegtlen for 40 years of serviceto our church. Dean has served two separate terms as president of our congregation,initially in the 1970s and more recently in the early 1990s. He is known forhis passionate love of music and dedication to our music program. His love ofmusic was kindled by clarinet lessons in the 4th grade. He sustained this interestand was the winner of an all-state solo competition in high school. He laterstudied music at Wayne State University and studied with Angel del Busto ofthe Julliard School Woodwind Department. However, he was not destined to bea professional musician. His career was engineering, but music has been hispassion.

Our community has benefited enormously from Dean’s love of music. Hewas the prime mover in obtaining our organ and a key member of the committeethat found and purchased our Steinway piano. He has been a major financial donorto our music programs, and he was responsible for making our recent concerta charity event for Step Up on Second. Our church covenant calls for us to “dwelltogether in peace” and it states that “service is our prayer.”Dean Voegtlen’s contributions to our community are a demonstration of“faith in action.”

— Charles Haskell, Chair, Faith in Action Commission