In keeping with Lutheran tradition, music is an integral part of the worship experience.  At Hope there is a Chancel Choir that supports and leads the congregation in worship.  The Choir prepares and sings special music for and on behalf of the congregation on Sundays and special services.

The handbell choir prepares music which they play on brass hand-held bells.  Handbells were developed to be used in the worship service in place of the big steeple bells.  In addition to special music, the “Bells of Hope” add excitement, color, beauty and meaning to the worship service.

Eric Holderman was born in Bakersfield and was raised in Modesto, California. He was an Organ Performance Major in college and has been a church/classical organist for over twenty years.  He is a member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO).

In addition to playing the organ, Eric has been a Paraeducator in Special Education for fourteen years, specializing in American Literature and United States History.

Eric enjoys science fiction shows and movies. and loves Mexican food.

He strives for the best in his organ playing!

Janice enjoys a richly varied musical life in the San Francisco Bay Area working as a professional accompanist, choral director and teacher. Janice has performed with singers, instrumentalists, and in theatrical productions, and has been on the staff of College of San Mateo and Cañada College. She was the Music Director of Peninsula Cantare from 1997- 2011.

Janice also directs the Peninsula Choraliers, a women’s ensemble. She was the Organist and Choir Director at the Palo Alto First Baptist Church for 18 years until the church closed in July of 2019.

Originally from Oregon, Janice studied at Lewis & Clark College in Portland and holds a Music degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene, with continuing studies at Cal State Hayward and San Jose State University. Janice lives in Belmont with her husband, Peter.