Plymouth Magazine-Fall26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 32
“In this very room, there’s quite
enough love for all of us.”
By Diane Graham (she/her)
When music director and organist John
Dexter formed the Plymouth Matins
choir around 1955, he could hardly have
imagined it would still be thriving 70
years on. But then, Matins has always
been exceptional.
“It’s the music and the fellowship,” said
Holly Elbert, a member from 1992-1997
who counts Matins alums as some of her
closest friends to this day. “With Matins
you can’t have one without the other.
They really can’t stand alone.”
From its earliest days, the choir had an
open-door policy from musical beginners
to top high school talents, whether
already part of Plymouth or not. It
became a living example of the Plymouth
motto, “You are always welcome here.”
And by creating a place for belonging,
fellowship and sharing beautiful music,
Matins has defied the fate of many other
mainline church teen programs.
Traditions like the annual tour and Leaf
Rake also helped draw the Matins bonds
even tighter, so close that alumni still
come back for the chance to sing with
their old choir at each year’s 11 p.m.
Christmas Eve service.
Through those collective moments
shared together, this weekly gathering of
young people can become like family for
many, said Anita Micich, director from
1989-1995. Call it the “Matins Spirit”
perhaps. By whatever name, it kept teens
coming back.
“Being able to go somewhere where it’s
a safe place with people who really care
about you is something that’s hard to
find,” said Aristella Tempero, now in her
fourth year of wearing the distinctive red
robe of a Matin.
John Dexter, founder and former director
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That community spirit was mentioned
again by this year’s graduating seniors
at their June Reflection Service. As
senior Sarah Wigton explained, “I love
being part of a community where we do
service projects and, most important,
show up every Sunday…just to try to
make this world better by sharing the
love of music.”
Anita Micich, former director
There’s a lot of hard work that happens
each season, too. In fact, try finding
another church youth choir to rival the
commitment of Matins. As former Pastor
David Ruhe put it for the 50th reunion,
“This isn’t unusual, it’s unique.” For nine
months each year, teens are so inspired,
they skip the chance to sleep late on
Sundays and instead pledge to show up
for weekly Wednesday night dinners and
practices plus Sunday services.
“They’re really viewed as the leaders, the
anchor of that 9 a.m. service, which is
a big deal,” said current Matins director
Ted Brimeyer, who recalled early on just
marveling at the sheer volume of music
the choir performs each year.
