Welcome to "This Is My Story," a new blog series dedicated to highlighting the journeys of individuals within the Polyphony Music Resources family.
In these posts, we turn the spotlight on some of our dedicated church musicians. Through personal anecdotes and professional milestones, we’ll learn a little more about them and hopefully, get to know one another better.
This series aims to inspire and celebrate the invaluable contributions of our musical leaders. Join us as we delve into their stories and continue to strengthen our connections.
Meet Cheryl Tarter
Minister of Music
Present City - Guthrie, OK
Hometown - Guthrie, OK
Education:
Bachelor Music Education from Oklahoma Baptist University
Master Music Education from University of Central Oklahoma
Tell us about your family.
I was married to Clay Tarter for almost 47 years. He died unexpectedly in June, 2022. We did not have biological children, however, one of my high school choir students came to live with us in May, 1998. Linh Maria Sasser became our daughter and part of our family. Clay taught US History at Guthrie High School for 32 years and coached Cross Country and Track for 40 years. In fact he started the Cross Country Program in Guthrie and produced several state championships. The current coaching staff inaugurated an annual Clay Tarter Memorial Cross Country Meet last year; this year's meet doubled in size. Additionally they named the track & field complex after Clay. Such wonderful honors and tributes.
Our daughter Linh has a bachelor degree in PR from Oklahoma State University and a masters degree in mental health counseling. Linh is currently a counselor/therapist and is thriving.
I taught secondary vocal music/choir for 32 years, teaching 16 years in Guthrie and 16 years for Edmond Public Schools. Throughout most of those years I served in various capacities of music ministry part time. My first position as a music minister was for Noble Avenue Baptist Church, a smaller church in Guthrie. While serving as music minister for 11 years, I had the great opportunity to work with and learn from Dr. Larry Stevens, pastor. Larry and I collaborated in planning worship and he supported me in every endeavor I embarked upon.
Brave man! I worked with the adult choir, started a children's choir and a handbell choir. He would joke with me and say, " You do remember you are part time, right?" At the end of year 11 it became clear to me that I needed to give up this much loved position. I had begun teaching at Edmond North High School and was charged with the job of growing a choir program. ENHS became one of three high schools in Edmond, where expectations were high and much required. So, I eventually became an accompanist for NABC, first as an organist (okay, let's not go there...) and then as pianist.
From there my next move would be spent at First United Presbyterian Church as the Director of Music Activities, which included worship planning, sanctuary choir, and handbell choir. I felt called to this position to help my high school choir teacher, mentor, and friend who was serving as organist. I learned so much about a tradition different from my Baptist upbringing.
Next up for me was serving North Haven Church in Norman, OK for almost 8 years. NorthHaven celebrated its 10 year anniversary while I was there, so it was a young church. I made lasting memories and friends while serving there. As so often happens, things change when a new pastor comes on board, and in August of 2020 I departed NHC. I needed to lay fallow for a bit.
Then in November, Spring Creek BC came calling even in the midst of a pandemic, mask wearing, and all we were dealing with. I went as interim music minister, then in the summer of 2021 they asked me if they could remove the interim and I said yes. What a joy it is to serve at SCBC! I work with wonderful folks and get to serve with a dream team staff! They are creative, engaging, and we collaborate on almost everything, certainly on worship planning. I am so fortunate to have a church that supports me in what I do, but also was and still is there for Linh and me as we grieved the loss of Clay. I hope to keep making music as long as I am able.
Favorite hobbies?
I love to read, especially things that challenge me to grow. I enjoy walking and try to do it at least 6 days a week. In doing that, I am trying to learn to listen for birds and identify them with a bird app on my phone. I love going to New Mexico, specifically Santa Fe & Taos, taking in the incredible climate and beautiful artwork.
How have you participated in Polyphony?
I started by participating in the zoom meetings during the pandemic. Then I got to go to the last 2 Polyphony conferences, which were amazing! I also was a participant in the Thriving In Ministry Cohort in 2023, where I met wonderful people who I now cherish as friends.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I think God is showing me how to live on my own. It is really different because all of my adult life was spent sharing everything with a wonderful soulmate who was also my cheerleader and encourager. I have read many books on grief and participated in a couple of grief groups, all good things. The bottom line is that grief is hard. However, I have also learned a lot about myself the last two years. I feel God's presence. My goal is to notice and be aware of things that happen, things that make you think, oh, that was God!
Tell us about your faith journey.
My faith journey was typical for a girl raised in church, accepting Christ as Savior at age 7, attending church every week. Then as a teenager I became very involved in all things youth and music. My dad would say I was there every time the doors were open. I had great mentors in the people who served in music ministry, both the paid and volunteer.
When you get to the part of life where I am now, I look back and see how people poured into me through the years and helped me grow. With that said, I often think I have so much to learn! And I love being a lifelong learner! I am currently reading the Bible through, and it has been a great experience. It helps to have a plan to guide you!
Something interesting most people would not know about you.
My family was very involved in the Roundup Club, so we learned to ride horses and participate in rodeos and such. My senior year I served as the Guthrie Round Up Club Queen as well as the Guthrie 89er Queen. As such I participated in a few rodeo queen contests. One of my last ones to participate in was the OK State Fair Queen Contest in September of my freshman year at OBU. At that time, OBU didn't permit freshman girls to go home the first month of school. So in order to prepare for that queen contest, we boarded my horse at St. Gregory's Catholic College just down the road from OBU. I attended a Baptist school and my horse attended a Catholic one!
What adjectives best describe you?
Transparent, vulnerable, strong-willed, positive, caring