Maurice Love, Minister of Music, Worship & Fine Arts

Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, May 30, 1945, I was the only boy in a household of 5 sisters. I attended Manual Training High School, a segregated school.  An interesting note about Oklahoma during this period (and its history during the period of slavery) was that it was a “border state,” located between southern and northern states.  Their approach to segregation was “Separate But Equal,” i.e., giving our community equal access to education, materials and services, (an attempt to stay out court on another integration matter).  As a result, we, the black community, had a brand new high school with all the trimmings. 

My music path began in church.  My family attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where I was in the Youth Choir since Jr. High.  I sang a some lead parts in the Choir and also solos at coronation assemblies (Homecoming Queen, etc.). My grandmother, a music teacher, initiated my formal music instrument education when I was in 4^th grade. The first dance band/combo I played in was one with the son of my guitar instructor and I also had a group made up of high school friends. In 1963, I moved to Oklahoma City, attended Central State College (renamed Central Oklahoma University).  I also played music with various local groups in area nightclubs, one being "The Soul Messengers" which profoundly affected my growth and maturity as a musician.  Between 1965 and 1974, we reached local acclaim, popularity unsurpassed by any local band and in 1971, we recorded an album which has resurfaced on the internet (that’s another story). I taught junior and high school bands in the Oklahoma City school system from 1965 to 1969.  I  hold a B.A. in Music Education and a Master in Music Composition.  This was an intense period of my life, overlapping teaching, grad school, playing local nightclubs, and various road trips.  Then I met Sue.

mlove@nl-cc.org  562-924-4466 x210

Elisa Nazarowski, Choir Director

Elisa has been on staff as Choir Director since August 2007 but has been a part of the music ministry at New Life for several years. Elisa has been involved in church music since childhood singing with her family while she was growing up. Her love of music has led her to participate in musical theatre, choirs, summer bands, and community performances. Elisa is a native of California and attended Pepperdine University during her freshman year of college majoring in Business Administration. Following her life-long passion for music she then transferred  to Azusa Pacific University and changed majors to Music, with an emphasis in Education and graduated in 1994.  She continued on to get her teaching credential at APU and began teaching music education and choir in Baldwin Park.  She has been teaching for twelve years.  She  currently teaches at San Jose – Edison Academy in West Covina.  She has been happily married to Joe since 1999. 

enazarowski@nl-cc.org
562-924-4466 x510

 

 

Jace Vandergrift and Heidi Kendrick.
They make it all sound and look good.

 

The Chancel Choir performs each Sunday at the 9am service. The choir performs traditional and contemporary sacred music. For decades they have performed in at least one service every Sunday with the exception of the summer break. The Choir is made up of approximately 40 highly dedicated members who are consistent in their attendance at Sunday morning worship and weekly rehearsals. Some members have been a part of the choir since New Life Church moved to its present location back in the early 70s. Choir performances are often part of our special holiday services throughout the year. These holidays include, but are not limited to, Advent, Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Holy Week, Easter Sunday and Reformation Sunday. The Choir takes a short break annually during the first three weeks of August, and comes back together in the last week for a retreat.

The choir is a warm and inviting group; supporting one another in prayer, rejoicing in answered prayer, sharing social events and much laughter.

To join the choir or for more information please contact, Choir Director, Elisa Nazarowski.
enazarowski@nl-cc.org
562-924-4466 x510