A new director of music joined the staff of the Gilroy
Presbyterian Church in February. Karin Whitman brings enthusiasm
and a variety of experiences to her new position.
A new director of music joined the staff of the Gilroy Presbyterian Church in February. Karin Whitman brings enthusiasm and a variety of experiences to her new position.
Whitman’s father is pastor of Oak Park Christian Center, a large Assemblies of God congregation in Pleasant Hill. She grew up with a fondness for music and was active in music ministries of her father’s church.
But when it came time for college, she decided to major in English because of her love for literature and writing. She followed this major at Bethany College in Santa Cruz and Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.
After graduation, Whitman pursued a graduate degree in the literature program at San Francisco State University, but soon decided to teach English at the secondary level instead.
Transferring to California State University-Hayward to obtain a teaching credential, Whitman worked part time in music ministry again at her father’s church, developing what she calls “a passion to lead worship.”
After receiving her credential she taught English at middle and high schools in Pleasant Hill and Southern California for four years. It became apparent to her that “teaching wasn’t my calling,” and she returned to school, this time at San Jose State University to take a variety of music courses.
Whitman spent a year and a half studying the aspects of music which most interested her: choral leadership, theory, rehearsal and audition techniques, even computers and music. Meanwhile, she participated in a concert choir and conducted a women’s chorus.
Then she accepted a position at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, a large congregation on the San Francisco Peninsula with five weekend services, leading worship one to three Sundays per month, directing a children’s choir, and learning a good deal from what she terms “a well-oiled machine.”
Whitman found out about the vacant music position in Gilroy on the Internet, not surprising since her husband, Tim, does Web-development and marketing for churches.
Responsibilities of the director of music at Gilroy Presbyterian include overseeing three children’s choirs (for ages three to fifth grade), leading the 25-voice adult choir and coordinating the work of the church’s worship team, instrumental and vocal.
Whitman says she hopes to add a music group of some sort for teenagers, not duplicating the work of Phil Robb, the renowned director of Gilroy High School’s choral program, but allowing other opportunities for local youth to showcase their talents. Also in the initial discussion stages are more musical productions for the community.
Gilroy Presbyterian Church has two worship services on Sunday:
•Contemporary at 9 a.m. featuring modern praise music
•Blended at 10:30 a.m. with choir, hymns, organ accompaniment in addition to some music from the earlier service.
Karin Whitman is “thrilled” to be living in Gilroy, calling the city “attractive, peaceful and incredibly friendly.” As for her church, she finds people “very accepting, ready to love anyone who comes in the door.” She is impressed at how many ways members of the congregation support the community of Gilroy.
For more information call 842-0271.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
