Isa Dollyhigh and Jorge Guerra

About Isa and Jorge • A Remembrance • Memorial Service Photos • Isa Dollyhigh Music

Isa Dollyhigh was born in Mt. Airy, NC, studied voice at UNC-G, and received a Master's degree in voice performance at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. She sang professionally in operas for 26 years in Italy, New York City, Washington, D.C., and gave concerts in six states. She won an international vocal competition in Italy in 1997 and received several other vocal awards. She recorded 4 CDs. Isa directed choirs at Center United Methodist Church, Grove Hill Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN, and at Congregational United Church of Christ in Greensboro. In addition to her music, for the past eleven years Isa was owner and operator of Sound Healing Arts and earned certifications in massage therapy, sound therapy, polarity therapy and craniosacral therapy. Isa liked water sports, music, song writing and reading. She said, "I love the diversity and warmth of the people at Congregational. I finally belong somewhere!"

Isa began her work as our Director of Music in the fall of 2007. She quickly found a home and took the reigns of our varied and busy music programs, and found ways to infuse her enthusiasm into each choir. Nearly everyone was invited to join choir, visitors, people who rarely sing from the hymnal, people who used to sing or play. And because Isa never met a stranger, she was most persuasive because she was so likeable. She immediately set the Adult Choir on a challenging path, to learn and perform the Rutter Gloria. Their first (and maybe second) response was between bewilderment and shock, but her leadership convinced them this lovely and difficult piece was what God wanted for the choir and the church. She was right, of course, and the choir grew in confidence and in numbers, and the congregation responded with waving hands and a newfound sense of joy. Isa helped music to become an even more vital part of our worship. Isa also made music fun. Her rehearsals were full of laughter, and soon those laughing people brought in other people.

Her quote above really said it best: She belonged here. She loved our diversity, and she brought our diverse folk into the fold in a deeper and more profound way, with humor and joy. On Palm Sunday she led the choir in the Faure Requiem, another substantial work of religious music. Again, it was well-received and it helped us all face this Lent and Easter in a more spiritual way. Maundy Thursday's music was somber, thoughtful, and haunting. It set just the right tone. Unfortunately for us, it was her last worship service with us. Easter Sunday the choir was ready and prepared, but Isa was gone. She was loved and respected, and she will be missed.

Jorge became a part of our church when Isa came. He was often present, often quiet, assisting her with the level of detail vital to her work. His "job," as he put it, was to keep her grounded. Jorge also had a wry sense of humor, and complemented Isa perfectly. On Palm Sunday following worship and coffee hour, it was clear that Jorge was ready to leave, and it was equally clear that Isa was not done recruiting new people for choir. When asked, he said it didn't matter. She'll come when she was ready, and that was just fine with him. He understood the ways of musicians (and the ways of computers and all things technological), and his gentle spirit won many people to his friendship. He was a quiet man of substance. He was loved and respected, and he will be missed.

I don't recall the exact moment, but I remember the feeling. Sometime early in September I had the very certain sense we had indeed found the right candidate for Music Director of Congregational UCC. It may have been when she sang in worship, or perhaps earlier, during her "try-out" rehearsal with the choir, or when the two of us met to talk things through. But she was the one.

Isa felt it too, and said many times she considered it a "God thing," our having been led in this direction together. Isa and her beloved Jorge felt at home here right from the beginning. They received our congregation's warmth, acceptance, humor, and strength as a needed gift, and in return they offered us an abundance of laughter, energy, friendship, and glorious, beautiful music.

When this all came to an end so abruptly on Saturday it was far, far too soon. That was most certainly not a "God thing," but a horrific tragedy brought on by a drunk driver whose circumstances we have yet to learn. As a wise theologian once said, "God does not necessarily will all things, but God does will good to come through all things." That is true in this sad situation as well.

God is clearly already at work bringing forth good from this loss. In the hugs, the gentle words, the tears shared among friends and strangers, the beautiful music on Sunday, the wonderful memories, the way we are all pulling together and doing whatever is needed and helpful - the list goes on. I want to especially thank the choir and Amy for their courage on Easter Sunday. You blessed us. The Spirit is holding us all, binding us even closer, spreading the first gentle touches of healing balm.

In time, we will find a new Music Director. God will no doubt be in that, too. Our music program will continue to be strong, will continue to grow. We will worship and sing and laugh again. But for now, we grieve together. We will hold their families in our daily prayers.

We will not forget Isa and Jorge. In their time here they brought us so much and became such an integral part of our lives. We will forever honor them with our music, our warm acceptance of all whom God sends our way, and our constant trust in the God whom they loved and trusted, the God who wept last Saturday and who is carrying us through this difficult time to more joyous days ahead. As Easter proclaims, death is not the last word. The God of love and life reigns still.

• Faure Requiem - Streaming MP3
  Isa Dollyhigh conducting the Congregational UCC Chancel Choir with violin, harp, and organ in Faure's Requiem. Recorded on Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008.
• Rutter Gloria - Streaming MP3
  Isa Dollyhigh conducting the Congregational UCC Chancel Choir with brass, percussion, harp, and organ in John Rutter's Gloria. Recorded in Advent, December 16, 2007.
• The Prayer - Streaming MP3
  Isa Dollyhigh sang "The Prayer" by Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster at Congregational on September 9, 2007. Unfortunately, that recording is not usable. However, she had sung "The Prayer" at West Market Street United Methodist Church previously and that church has graciously made their recording available to us. [Note: In this recording, the voice sounds somewhat distant compared with the piano for the first minute and a half, but the balance improves after that.]