When MLUC Music Director David Brown and longtime member Jansen Wendell sit down to talk, it’s not just an interview—it’s a reunion between two musicians whose stories have been intertwined for decades. Brown grew up hearing Wendell’s music in the church community; now, as colleagues, they’re shaping that tradition together. Wendell’s original compositions will be featured in this Sunday’s regular worship service, followed by a community Barn Dance on Saturday, Nov. 1.
“I was one year old when my parents helped found the church,” Wendell said. “I was the first class to go from infant care all the way through the youth group.” His earliest memories include a Scottish weekend held at the old mansion that once stood on the MLUC grounds. “It included a full dress pipe band and a sword dancer,” he recalled. “I remember the band marching and playing in the ballroom, and I was sitting right there, and I was gobsmacked. All I wanted to do after that was play the snare drum.”
That early weekend was part of a lifelong fascination with music. “I was always interested in melodies, even as a young child,” Wendell said. “I used to lie in bed at night humming tunes in my head. But that experience definitely sparked my love of Celtic music for sure.”
Brown responded, “which is very closely related to Appalachian, old-time, and bluegrass—even country music is a derivation of these Celtic traditions that came to America.”
Over the years, Wendell’s musical life became deeply tied to the MLUC community. He met his wife, Elisa Lang, at a rehearsal for a contra dance orchestra in Philadelphia. “Playing for dances changed my musical life,” he said. Dance music was a training ground for “playing fast, playing through your mistakes—the show must go on.” Surrounded by other musicians who were writing their own material, he began composing tunes of his own and has continued doing so for more than 30 years.
Wendell and Lang began performing as the duo Meadowlark during Sunday services, encouraged by our former music director Vincent Craig. “He humored us and let us into the schedule,” Wendell remembered. “It was nerve-wracking for both of us, but it was a wonderful experience. Over the years, it’s still nerve-wracking, but I do love it.”
Brown recalled how Wendell’s generosity with music shaped his own early experiences. “When I was in the youth group, you brought your mandolin to Camp Kweebec,” Brown said. Camp Kweebec was the longtime site of MLUC’s annual youth retreat, where middle and high schoolers gathered for a weekend of music, games, and late-night campfires. “You let me try your instrument, and it’s the reason that I went out and actually saved all my gig money for two years so I could buy my own because I was so impressed by the sound that you got out of the instrument, the tunes you could play.”
“And so for me,” Brown continued, “it’s very exciting that we get to work together in this capacity now that I’m the Music Director, you’re the Chair of the Music Committee, and your music is all over the schedule this year.”
This Sunday’s service will include several of Wendell’s original dance tunes, including “Darby Creek Rag,” “First Light Over Erdenheim Farm,” “Crawford Pond,” and “Cat in the Closet.” Each piece, he explained, is written in the form of a 32-bar dance tune with its own distinct feel. “’Darby Creek Rag’has that sort of syncopated feel,” he said. “First Light Over Erdenheim Farm” is named for a farm outside Philadelphia that Wendell passed on his daily commute. “The title came to me before the tune, so that’s unusual,” he said. “It’s a beautiful waltz—I’m really looking forward to playing that.”
Wendell’s music, Brown noted, takes traditional music and makes it new. “That’s a conscious decision,” Wendell said in agreement. “I have hundreds of tunes in my head, and I don’t want mine to sound exactly like those. I want to make them interesting to play.”
As their conversation wrapped up, Wendell looked ahead to the Barn Dance on Saturday, Nov. 1. “We have a wonderful caller named Donna Hunt,” he said. “She’s really great with all levels. Every dance is taught, and it’s fun for all ages.” Brown added, “You’ll have a great time. You don’t have to know anything about dancing—just come ready to enjoy yourself.”