MONROE - The Circle of Friends, a women's vocal trio and piano accompanist from St. John's United Church of Christ in Monroe, has released a new CD titled "Circle of Friends."
The group lead the services Sunday at St. John's UCC and at St. Clare FriedensHeim to kick off the release of the CD.
Part of St. John's music ministry and specializing in gospel-style music, Pam Wyss, Deb Krattiger, Brenda Payne and Kris Kehm joined forces in 1997 as an off-shoot of a women's triple trio at the church called the Covenant Singers. Initially, the group sang and presented programs at various churches and gatherings throughout southcentral Wisconsin until one of the members was unable to continue singing due to health concerns. In January 2008, an "interim" singer, Deborah Krauss Smith, the church's organist/director of music, was recruited, and the group began singing regularly again as part of St. John's music ministry.
To fulfill a longtime dream, the members of the group pooled their own personal finances and professionally recorded their first-ever CD in late April at Monroe Arts Center with Acoustic Imagery of Madison. After months of securing the proper licensing and working with jewel case graphic design, the CD finally went into production in mid-September.
CDs are available from any of the group's members. The Circle of Friends can be found on Facebook, which includes images of the CD jewel case and audio samples.
The group lead the services Sunday at St. John's UCC and at St. Clare FriedensHeim to kick off the release of the CD.
Part of St. John's music ministry and specializing in gospel-style music, Pam Wyss, Deb Krattiger, Brenda Payne and Kris Kehm joined forces in 1997 as an off-shoot of a women's triple trio at the church called the Covenant Singers. Initially, the group sang and presented programs at various churches and gatherings throughout southcentral Wisconsin until one of the members was unable to continue singing due to health concerns. In January 2008, an "interim" singer, Deborah Krauss Smith, the church's organist/director of music, was recruited, and the group began singing regularly again as part of St. John's music ministry.
To fulfill a longtime dream, the members of the group pooled their own personal finances and professionally recorded their first-ever CD in late April at Monroe Arts Center with Acoustic Imagery of Madison. After months of securing the proper licensing and working with jewel case graphic design, the CD finally went into production in mid-September.
CDs are available from any of the group's members. The Circle of Friends can be found on Facebook, which includes images of the CD jewel case and audio samples.