Marching to a Different Tune
July, 2008

One well-spent Wednesday noon hour for those in Sacramento, community member or visitor, can be found at 13th and N Street. However, do not let the setting mislead you. The Westminster Presbyterian Church indeed marches to a different tune. Built in 1927, the founding community itself there since 1856, the Wednesday noon agenda is designed to delight the soul, not burden it. Music is the theme with variety each week. One week may be pianos sending out classical pieces, and the next Wednesday a vocalist will be singing selected Broadway show tunes. But this is not all. The next Music at Noon program will surprise and delight listeners with excerpts from the Opera, Tosca and in another week hear Jazz or Didgeridoo, Chinese violins (irhu), bagpipes, mandolins and much more fill the main sanctuary with their sounds. The man responsible for all this, Brad Slocum (Organist and Music Coordinator), introduces each performer and watches as his field of dreams takes on substance for performers, the audience, and himself as well.

Listening to Brad speak about his creation, Music at Noon, one can’t help share in the wonder and joy which comes out of the program. To quote Brad: “The program takes on a rhythm of its own.” Indeed it does! From the very first, it took hold on life and has gone strong since. Brad attributes the success of the program to the built-in quality of its structure which has gleaned a venue of very fine performers, at no cost to the public who is welcome to bring their lunch and spend an hour listening to the musical creations of many different artists. As of July 9th, 2008, Music at Noon had its 275th performance, compliments of the Sacramento Youth Symphony Chamber Music Workshop.

Just as the performers are, those who have come to enjoy the music are diverse. Elderly, middle-aged and younger quietly and respectfully listen and drink in the music provided for them. For many State workers, this noon hour is a break from the ever-growing bureaucracy of government. This is not a church service or call to religious doctrine; on the contrary this program is inclusive and global in scope. While Westminster Presbyterian Church is no stranger in regards to marching to a different drum, neither is Music at Noon. Listening to Brad describe his program, I regularly hear words such as integrity, class, professional, good energy and beneficial relationships, and of course camaraderie with fellow artists. Brad’s eyes twinkle when he speaks about Music at Noon, and rightfully should, for Brad has made this dream live. Time passes in that short hour as music flows about you, gathered by the acoustics of the church and given back to both performer and audience alike.

The history of this church itself reflects the diversity of the music. Built to resemble a well known Mosque, inside one will find many different spiritual symbols, including Jewish-styled electric candles, stained glass windows reflecting both Catholic and Protestant spiritual ideas and figures, and of course hints of the Middle Eastern designs. There are, I am sure, many more subtleties to be found as well. The church itself openly and courageously promotes diversity and a global interaction of many different cultures and faiths, something Brad finds very appealing and necessary to both the inner and outer lives on many different levels. Consequently, Brad has found fertile ground for artistic expression to take hold as well as to be shared with the community.

“I am in the right place at the right time. Presently I am in the midst of good energies and beneficial relationships,” Brad states, his face reflecting the excitement of the musician who has found a niche in which to thrive.

This is well worth a visit, regularly if possible. Volunteers hand out programs at the doors, programs with information about the current performers and a calendar of events showing things to come. Brad seems pleasantly surprised that word is still getting out about his program, having been in existence since November 13, 2002. In the midst of downtown Sacramento, across from Capital Park and surrounded by many state agencies, private businesses and residences, people still express surprise and delight when they discover Music At Noon. It is very obvious Brad Slocum has designed this program with the community in mind, and he is very committed to making it continue to grow and nurture those who find it.

Brad remains humble, but his eyes and face show a quiet pride in the journey which brought him here, and that restless spark all artists (musician, painter, writer etc.) have inside of them, seeking more ways in which to share with those around them. It is obvious those gathered to listen are enjoying Brad’s garden of music. An inexpensive investment of sixty minutes will turn out to be an hour well-spent, whether it be a single stop (or series of stops), as part of a vacation, or a regular excursion into an enjoyable afternoon. Throughout it all you will see the heart and soul of a musician.