RLCC - Music Ministry

Listen to Albums: Say I'm Blessed | Righteous Now

CLINTON UTTERBACH AND THE RLCC PRAISERS

Prior to becoming a pastor, Clinton Utterbach was intimately involved with music. In fact, as young as his teen years, he was a church choir director. In 1961, he founded the Utterbach Ensemble, which gained widespread acclaim. The group quickly established a number of "firsts" for the gospel genre of music, which included performances on college campuses, on national television, and at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

A turning point in his life came in 1979, when he and his wife, Sarah, left their management careers in the secular arena to study at RHEMA Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While in Tulsa, Clinton Utterbach was introduced to praise music, which was distinctly different from the traditional hymns, spirituals, and gospel music he knew from his early church experience.

In 1980, after their RHEMA graduation, the Utterbachs established the nondenominational fellowship, Redeeming Love Christian Center, and initially met in the living and dining rooms of their home in Hackensack, New Jersey. Even after the pastors rented a facility to accommodate the flourishing church, Clinton Utterbach was intent on teaching the congregation praise music. He was so adamant about having the people learn about ministering to the Lord in song, that he deliberately did not form a church choir. Four years later, an audition was held and 22 singers were selected for the Praisers. The group ministered for the first time in March 1985.

Today based at RLCC in Nanuet, New York, the Praisers are approximately 45 singers and musicians, most of whom have no formal training. Under the tutelage of Clinton Utterbach, the potential of each member of the choir has been identified and nurtured. With more than three decades of experience as a singer, writer, arranger, and composer to his credit, Clinton Utterbach has developed his own science of targeting the voices that will achieve the blend in quality and sound he desires. Pastor Utterbach has set a standard for the Praisers that maintains quality, versatility, and spiritual commitment that is rare in an age when most singers and musicians are merely seeking the spotlight and music industry awards.

The Praisers major in ministering "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" to the Body of Christ. Weekly rehearsals are preceded by prayer and sharing from the Scriptures. According to Pastor Utterbach, this practice keeps the group's focus intact. Some of the choral pieces the choir sang in its first few years were products of Pastor Utterbach's natural musical abilities. God had bigger plans. A landmark year was 1987 when he began to receive brand new songs inspired by the Spirit of God in the middle of praise and worship at morning service in RLCC's Circle Sanctuary.

"Sing a New Song," was a project based on those Sunday morning praise choruses that God's Spirit dropped into Clinton Utterbach's spirit. Ultimately, master tapes of a live recording of this music were purchased by Polygram Records and distributed in two volumes on Lection, once the company's gospel label. The first recording was released in 1988; the second, in 1989.

A combination of the worship music that debuted on "Sing a New Song" and other compositions that Pastor Utterbach had penned some two decades earlier were released on "Righteous Now," the 1993 project. This work is a mere sampling of the genius of Clinton Utterbach, who wrote each song, sings solo on four selections, and crafted the choral arrangements. "Righteous Now" also represents the collaborative efforts of some of the finest singers, producers, musicians, and arrangers in the music industry. Word Records artist Babbie Mason and Mark Middleton lend their exquisite vocal talent as soloists. The phenomenal musicianship of John "Skip" Anderson, Jerry Hey, David Matthews, Steve Williams, and members of the New York Philharmonic strings complete the package of excellence.

The year 2000 launched, "Say I'm Blessed," the latest recording which, despite changes in personnel, offers the dependable "Utterbach authenticity," for which the Rockland County, New York pastor is known. Simply stated, he does not compromise the integrity of God's Word. Called, appointed, and anointed, this group of men and women gives its all on this new recording--songs that heal, comfort, uplift, and empower the army of the Lord.

Clinton Utterbach and the Praisers have ministered in music at Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin's Campmeetings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Washington, D.C. and the Eastern NRB at Sandy Cove, Maryland. The group has also been in concert at churches such as Brooklyn Tabernacle, Calvary Baptist, Harlem's Canaan Baptist Church in New York, and Calvary Temple in Wayne, New Jersey.

The Praisers' repertoire encompasses a wide range of styles-from spirituals and praise choruses, gospel and contemporary to hymns-all of which demonstrates their ability to appeal to a diverse audience. To experience this dynamic group is not to witness mere Christian entertainment; their ministry in music is edification and inspiration straight from the pages of God's Word.