Bill Few

Choir Director

My earliest memory of music in my home was from singing at the local church in White Oak, Texas. A joyful noise was heard every Sunday morning from hymns and songs prepared by the choir.

I guess I was genetically destined to direct choirs. My mother, Agnes Few, was the leader of the local church choir from her earliest years in high school in Sabine, Texas. It is truly a circle of life moment that she is now singing in our choir at Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Lake Jackson.

Throughout my formative years, I continued to participate in music through the public schools as well as taking multiple years of private piano lessons, a fact that is often shocking to anyone who has ever heard me try to actually play the piano.

My junior high and high school years in Longview, Texas were filled with choral singing. I was very privileged to attend the Pine Tree Independent School system where the music teachers were the best in their field. Both Mrs. Fugler and Mr. Boyter were incredible inspirations in my musical education. Both of these educators worked tirelessly to inspire their students to always seek the best in musical experiences. Whether it was introducing us to classical music or going the extra mile to let us attend an opera, they always gave their students horizon broadening experiences.

I believe that those opportunities opened my eyes to the possibilities of a career in music education. Through their eyes, I saw options beyond my hometown. The world of music was infinite. After high school, I attended college at Northwestern State University in Louisiana and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

Under the direction of Dr. Bev Henson, Dr. Harry Mallard, Barbara Corbin and Alvis Autrey, I earned a graduate Masters degree in music education. The years of my college education gave me the opportunity to travel the world and experience the highest of musical standards. I was fortunate to study under some of the most brilliant educators in the field of music. Their expertise guided my educational development through all phases of becoming a music educator.

Throughout my educational training, I participated in vocal music in all genres. Whether it was working with a school’s pop ensemble or performing classical opera with phenomenal orchestras and choruses, each experience helped to shape my view of what music education should be for my students.

Upon graduation from college in 1987, I took my first teaching job in West Columbia, Texas. I was both the junior high and high school choral director. The students and parents of this school were nurturing and patient with a new teacher. We grew together and were lucky enough to perform great music such as Handel’s Messiah. I will always be thankful for that opportunity.

After two years at Columbia High School, the opportunity to transfer to Brazoswood High School opened the door to the school that I would call home for thirty years. Over the next three decades, I was blessed to teach choral music and work with thousands of talented students.

Together we were able to present musicals, concerts and performances in all styles of music. Brazoswood was a wonderful nurturing environment for the growth of incredibly talented musicians. From music in the style of country and western to the highest accomplishments in the field of classical music, our students learned and worked as a family to grow the choir program. These were great years full of wonderful memories.

It is also during this time period that I met my wife Ruth Ann Few and I started to attend First Presbyterian Church in Lake Jackson. After a couple of years of singing with the choir, I became the director of the Chancel Choir. Now, over twenty years later I am still excited for Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings when we meet as a choir to support the church service with our musical offering.

The Chancel Choir of CEPCLJ is a dedicated group of musicians who work to honor God through their musical offering. Whether we are learning new music or singing an old favorite, it is always exciting to hear the opening chords played by Anne Williams and the surge of vocal sound resounding through the choir room.

Together, we explore the beauty of music that has already lasted longer than any of us will exist. Together, we bring to life the thoughts and emotions of a composer who has entrusted us with their Art. Together, we join our voices to accomplish what an individual singer could not.

We paint with sound on a canvas of time to glorify the Lord through lifting our voices in song. Every time a new voice joins our choir, we are able to add a new color to our palate of sound and enrich the vibrancy of our tone and the strength of the music’s meaning.

We invite each of you to visit our church and choir. Your heart will be lifted and your burden lightened through thoughtful meditation and joyful singing.

I will close with one of my favorite quotations by the singer John Denver: “Music brings people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves: We are the same.”