Morgan Hill’s St. John the Divine Episcopal Church (17740 Peak
Avenue) welcomed a new musician last month. Pianist-vocalist Sandra
Marlowe comes to the parish with a wealth of talents and
experiences to share with the congregation.
Morgan Hill’s St. John the Divine Episcopal Church (17740 Peak Avenue) welcomed a new musician last month. Pianist-vocalist Sandra Marlowe comes to the parish with a wealth of talents and experiences to share with the congregation.
Born in North Dakota into a family of evangelical-charismatic ministers, Marlowe’s earliest musical memories are of singing the “old time gospel music” popular in her home church. This resulted in a “passion for performing that has woven a colorful tapestry of musical adventures” throughout her career.
Relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area as an adult, Marlowe studied music at DeAnza College in Cupertino while engaging in a wide variety of musical experiences. She sang with San Jose Opera Theatre (now known as Opera San Jose) under its noted director Irene Dalis, and several other vocal groups, including the West Valley Chorale, and the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers, a professional acapella quartet.
In the 1990s she studied with the legendary Warner Brothers’ vocal coach Judy Davis (whose other students included Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Jerry Garcia).
More recently she has appeared at hotels, casinos, jazz festivals and been a featured performer with the South Bay Swing Band. Locally she has worked with the South Valley Civic Theatre, the Odyssey Theatre Company and the Gavilan College Theatre Arts Department.
Marlowe also offers private vocal instruction through the Gilroy Music Academy. She has recorded a concert DVD (available through Community Media Access Partnership in Gilroy) and is working on her next CD.
The multitalented musician has also returned to her roots through assisting with worship services at South Valley churches. In 2002-03 she explored “sacred sound” by leading chant and “toning” for an interfaith spiritual practice group based at the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church. Since 2005 she has been the accompanist for the Gilroy United Methodist Church, and for the past year she has been their choir director as well, arranging music for ensemble and leading singing for Sunday services.
At St. John’s Church Marlowe will be the accompanist on Sundays at the 9am Family Liturgy, an informal service specializing in music and prayers accessible to the parish’s youngest members.
She will also serve at the 10:30 Holy Eucharist, a Book of Common Prayer service featuring more traditional worship music, often with enhancement of adult, children or bell choirs.
Marlowe considers music in worship as a “deeply spiritual practice which involves an interior journey.” She explains, “Music in worship alters space and creates energy within the worshiper. The closest I can be to my essence is when I’m singing or helping others make music.”
Marlowe has just started working with St. John’s choir as it returns from summer recess. She is “sure we’ll have fun together” while continuing to develop musical skills. She’s hoping to hold a Voice Workshop for the choir later in the year.
To learn more about worship services at St. John’s Church, call 779-9510. To contact Sandra Marlowe send an e-mail to sm****@*****er.net.
