HPFC History
The Highest Praise Flute Choir was formed in 1985 at the Chapel on Fir Hill in Akron, Ohio by Phyllis Hans who served as its Director until 2018. She was supported by her husband, Thom Hans, who often played bass flute in the group. The flute choir held its first rehearsal in June 1985 and started with 12 playing members. A high of 20 members was reached several times during the first ten years of existence. An average number of 15 members was maintained through 2017.
The developing flute choir Director, Phyllis Hans, set the basic philosophy of this group from the beginning:
No auditions required. We welcome all intermediate and above level players who desire and are drawn to praise God with the gift of music He gave to them.
The instrumentation at the beginning included three alto flutes in the group and in 1998 we were very fortunate to add the sounds of a bass flute that continued for the next twenty years. Occasionally we performed an arrangement that had a piano or organ accompaniment... a lovely addition.
The Chapel graciously provided a rehearsal room from the beginning; our rehearsal schedule ranged from weekly to every-other-week, with occasional well deserved two-month breaks as needed. In return, the group's library of music, all purchased by the director and never any expense to the Chapel, was developed to include Christian and classical pieces; later on we added some marches and a few jazz arrangements. In 2018 it was determined the flute choir library of music was to stay with this group as the original director retired and moved out of state to be close to family in later life. From that time (2018) the flute choir was on hiatus until 2023 because of no director and the years of Covid; then one of the Flute Choir's long standing flute and alto flute players, Gregory Long, and a long time Chapel Orchestra instrumentalist, Roberta Wervey, asked for direction in continuing the Flute Choir. Gregory became the group's Manager and continues to play alto flute with them. Roberta has learned how to lead and direct the group plus so much more!
From the beginning in 1985, The Chapel's Senior Pastor Knute Larson and Music Ministers, Miller Cunningham, followed by Jim Mitchell, often asked Highest Praise Flute Choir to play for Sunday morning and evening services, and for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, also other special days. We were scheduled to play for many annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, a true delight. Our efforts included an ongoing outreach schedule into the surrounding community, providing musical programs at many senior citizen centers over the years.
In 2023 at the end of Covid restrictions, we sought to return the flute choir back to normal operation. However, the Chapel was making major changes to their music program which included closing down the orchestra and no longer sponsoring the flute choir. Many of the older flute choir members decided to retire from playing, but the remaining members wanted to continue on as an independent ensemble. Without a home, we struggled through 2023 and the beginning of 2024 taking turns practicing in member's homes. Then in 2024, the Akron Chinese Christian Church (ACCC) graciously granted us rehearsal space. The church operates a Chinese School for their youth on Sunday afternoons from September through May and provided one of their classrooms for our use. Instead of making us a part of their ministry program, the church decided we should remain as a separate, independent flute choir. Providing a classroom for rehearsals has given us a stability and foundation for growth once again as we move into the future.