Music Staff
David Burton – Choral Director
David is currently on the faculty of Boise High School, and previously taught for six years at Caldwell High School, and one year at Sedway Middle School in Las Vegas. His Bachelor of Music Education is from Idaho State University, and he is an active member of The American Choral Directors Association, The National Association for Music Education, The Idaho Music Educations Association, and Golden Key International Honour Society. David was named the Teacher of the Year for both Caldwell High School and the Caldwell School District for the 2012-13 school year, and was nominated and selected as one of twelve Choral Directors of Note in the January/February 2014 issue of Choral Director magazine. Along with his experience with traditional choral repertoire, David has great interest in ethnic/world music.
Derek Logan Schaible – Church Musician and Assistant Choral Director
Derek comes to us after serving as Organist and Choir Director for our sister UCC church in Pocatello, and providing music for worship for the Unitarian Universality Church in Pocatello, and other churches needing music for weddings and funerals. Derek has accompanied a variety of choirs and ensembles, and is experienced in playing piano, organ, and harpsichord. He graduated with his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Idaho State University, and has his own jazz quartet.
Paula Weitemier: Director of Handbells
Paula Weitemier began ringing with the Tintinnabulators at their inception under the direction of Lori Conlon in the summer of 1984. Paula became the Director of Handbells in 2000, following the Tintinnabulators’ second director, Bonnie Dufty. Since that time, the choir has grown from 3 to 5 octaves. Paula and her handbell choir regularly attend Handbell Musicians of America (formerly AGEHR) sponsored workshops on bell ringing techniques, and Paula has had the privilege of attending bell directing workshops under several esteemed conductors, including William Payn, David Weck, Lee Afdahl, and the late David R. Davidson. As Director of Bell Choirs, Paula was asked to lead a mass bell choir for Boise Music Week’s Church Night in May, 2005. The Tintinnabulators anchored the group which included over forty ringers from four church bell choirs in our community. The Tintinnabulators were also recorded as a snippet of background music for the Diablo Cody movie “Paradise”, released in 2013. (Unfortunately that segment of the movie apparently didn’t make it out of the editing room, but it was a fun experience!)
Although Paula’s professional background is as a Licensed Professional Counselor, music has been an integral part of her life beginning with piano at age 5. She began playing clarinet in second grade and began playing with her school’s high school band in the fourth grade. Paula has studied piano in Boise with Patricia Nelson and voice with Linda Berg. She has sung with The Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale since 1987, and has sung with Boise Hospice Singers through St. Luke’s Hospice.
Paula and her husband, Ken, have four children, Amy, Adam, Gretchen, and Kevin--all handbell players! They have three grandsons, Sam, Leo, and Haru. They began attending Boise First in 1978 and have been active in many areas since (including Paula being a member of the original Congoettes!). Paula is addicted to Jazzercise, loves to read, weave, cook, travel, and spend time with her friends and family.