Biographical Sketch
After studying piano for twelve years, Marcia began studying organ during her freshman year at Calvin College.  Inspired by her role model and aunt, Shirley Boomsma, long-time organist of Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids and professor of organ at Calvin College, she found her musical niche as an organist.  She majored in organ and earned her Bachelor's degree in Organ and Church Music.  Marcia went on to earn both Master's and Doctoral degrees in Organ and Church Music at the University of Michigan, studying organ with Robert Glasgow.  She has also studied organ with Huw Lewis and improvisation with Paul Manz. She was the winner of the 1996 Jean and Broadus Staley Hymn Playing Competition and has earned professional certification as an Associate of the American Guild of Organists (AAGO).
 
Marcia is Minister of Music, Worship and Fine Arts at Plymouth First United Methodist Church in Plymouth, Michigan.  The music ministry includes the Chancel Choir and PFUMC Orchestra, which Marcia leads; the Festival Bells, the Impact worship band, the NOTEworthy concert series and the Music@First Fine Arts Academy.  The Chancel Choir, Festival Bells, pianist Nancy Whitecar and Dr. Van Oyen recently recorded “Sanctuary,” a disc featuring sacred music.  The Plymouth First United Methodist Church honored Dr. Van Oyen by commissioning an anthem written by Mark Hayes.  The anthem is a setting of the hymn “O God Beyond All Praising” (tune:  Thaxted) for SATB choir, organ and brass quartet.  The anthem was premiered in a worship service featuring music of Mark Hayes, with the composer on hand as conductor and pianist. 

Previously, Marcia served as Director of Music Ministry and Organist at Glenview Community Church for twelve years.  She had been elected Dean, Sub-Dean, and Board member of the North Shore and Ann Arbor Chapters of the American Guild of Organists.   She has chaired the National AGO Committee for Membership Development and Chapter Support, the National AGO Development Committee, served as Gifts and Grants Chair for the 2006 National AGO Convention in Chicago, and served on the Task Force for Issues of Guild Inclusiveness,   She has written articles for three international pipe organ journals - The Diapason, The American Organist and Choir & Organ, has written CD notes for JAV recordings, and has self-published "A Handbook for Organ Committees.” 
 
Marcia has performed solo organ concerts in Michigan, Illinois, and New York, at historic Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia and the Washington National Cathedral.  In 2006, she performed at the American Guild of Organists national convention.  She has been the featured organ soloist with the Michigan Philharmonic and the Plymouth Community Band.  “Visions of Eternity,” Marcia’s compact disc featuring the organ at Glenview Community Church was released by Raven Recordings in November 2001.  Selections from this disc have been featured on the national radio program, “Pipedreams.”