wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] CBS set to tape special at Salem church

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Note #8014 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

CBS set to tape special at Salem church
03496
November 18, 2003

CBS set to tape special at Salem church

The 60-minute show,"Receive the Gift," will air nationwide on Christmas Eve

by Ron Cowan
Salem (OR) Statesman Journal
Reprinted with permission

SALEM, OR - Approximately 118 Willamette University students will participate
in a CBS Christmas Eve special to be videotaped at First Presbyterian Church
of Salem.

Camera crews from Mira Mobil Television in Portland will arrive Wednesday in
Salem to begin setting up for the taping. The taping of the 60-minute
program, titled "Receive the Gift," will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The
service will be shown at 11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve on CBS stations nationwide.

Regional and church choirs have been practicing for weeks under the guidance
of Christine Welch, director of music ministries for First Presbyterian and
instructor of music at Willamette University.

A special rehearsal is planned for Wednesday.

Music will be provided by the church's 55-voice adult Chancel Choir; the
Youth Chorale (grades seven to 12); Seraphim Choir(grades four to six);
Cherub Choir (grades one to three) directed by Shelly Heller; the Canterbury
Bell Choir; and organist Pamela Miller.

Special guests participating in the service will include the Voce Femina
Women's Choir from Willamette University, directed by Welch; the Willamette
University Chamber Choir, directed by Wallace Long; and the Willamette
University Male Ensemble, directed by Paul Klemme.

The general public cannot attend the concerts, although 350 church members
will attend the taping.

The taping culminates a process that began months ago, when CBS approached
the Presbyterian Church (USA) with the opportunity to have one of its
churches host the Christmas Eve broadcast. The First Presbyterian Church of
Salem was one of the many Presbyterian churches around the country that
responded.

When it came to the final decision, one logistical factor helped swing the
decision of the producers in Salem's favor: The sanctuary recently has been
remodeled, especially the chancel, or front of the church, with improvement
for  acoustics.

Arnold Johnston of the PC(USA)'s Media Services office, the show's producer,
said one of the major factors under consideration was the room.

It turned out that First Church Salem lends itself exceptionally well to the
positioning of cameras, lights, microphones and crew for a good visual
presentation.

In addition to the broadcast service, First Presbyterian Church of Salem will
hold its traditional live services on Christmas Eve at 7, 9 and 11 p.m.,
which all area residents and visitors are invited to attend.

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