Guest Music Leaders Join FPC

During Ray Cornils’s sabbatical (Christmas Day to the day after Easter) the music programs of First Parish continue to invite members and community friends into worship and ministry through song. Meet the leaders who you’ll be seeing around campus and who will provide wonderful leadership during this time!

Harold Stover
Sabbatical Organist and Music Director
Harold Stover was Organist and Director of Music at Woodfords Congregational Church UCC in Portland from 1992 until his retirement in 2013.He had previously served in a similar position for 24 years at Second Presbyterian Church in New York City.He now pursues an active free-lance career that includes directing the Portland-based chamber chorus Renaissance Voices and teaching at the Portland Conservatory of Music.He has been a frequent visitor to First Parish Church, playing in the summer recital series, in orchestras for choir concerts, and occasionally on Sunday mornings.He is pleased to be able to fill in for Ray and looks forward to his extended stay at First Parish in early 2015.

Cassie McKarns
Sabbatical Director of Cherub, Junior, Westminster, and Chamber Choirs
Cassie grew up and went to school in Ohio and graduated from Malone University with a degree in Music Education, focused on Choral Music, in December 2012.She moved to Maine in June 2013 to live with her brother, sister-in-law, and adorable two- year-old niece.She is currently teaching Elementary Music at Longley and Farwell Elementary schools in Lewiston.She just recently moved into her own apartment in Brunswick.

Trevor Lavenbein
Sabbatical Director for Parish Ringers
Trevor Lavenbein has an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Southern Maine and a Master’s degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, England. Trevor has been an active member of the musical community in Maine, playing trumpet with the Maine Music Society, Portland Symphony, and Kotzschmar Festival Brass. He also sings with the Choral Art Society Camerata. Trevor has been ringing handbells since age eight, has taught at local festivals and rings with Ocean Park’s Temple Bell Choir and Falmouth Foreside Community Church Towne Lyne Ringers. He is currently the Band Director of Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach.