NEW GLOUCESTER — When Beth Barefoot puts on her shoes in early October, she will pack up her musical gifts and step away from a career spanning nearly 28 years in this area.

Her steps will take her and her husband, Larry Ritter, an optometrist, to a new home in either Virginia or Pennsylvania. They will continue on their paths in music and work at locales both knew from childhood.

“This is a God thing. We are doing the work and trusting God to guide us,” Barefoot said in the sanctuary of her church home on Thursday. The couple sent out resumes and made visits to consider what is yet to be their choice.

The Rev. Linda K. Gard, pastor of the First Congregational-Christian Church of New Gloucester, and resident Paul Russo wrote to members and friends: “We have been Minister of Music Beth Barefoot’s church home for nearly 28 years, during which time she has served with her signature energy, not only as organist and choir director, but in positions of leadership too numerous to list.”

On Sunday, Aug. 26, a celebration is planned for a very special send-off during Barefoot’s last Sunday serving as minister of music. All are invited.

After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics, Barefoot said she has always “done music,” with studies in music education.

“I grew up in a very musical church in Chesapeake, Va. I was encouraged and affirmed all the time to play, from the age of 12,” she said.

“I was gifted with a very sensitive ear that allows me to be an exceptional accompanist. Teachers along the way guided me with repertoires. And, musical theater performance requires me to know timing and know how to wait,” she said.

Barefoot remembers an emergency call at the Sept. 11 Memorial Concert at Portland’s Civic Center when a substitute pianist was needed for a concert with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. “That moment with the community was a profound honor for me,” she said.

She has been accompanist and conductor of ensembles at Brunswick’s Maine State Music Theater, Portland Players and Lyric Theater in Portland, and Community Little Theatre in Auburn.

At Community Little Theatre, she was music director for “Grease,” “Peter Pan” and “Footloose.”

Phil Vampatella of New Gloucester is an active CLT member where Barefoot served on the Board of Directors in the past.

“She is a wonderful musician and very talented. She can bring out the best in a performer,” he said.

At one time she led and directed the performance chorus at Gray-New Gloucester High School.

And, for the past four-and-a-half years she served as chairman of the Visual and Performing Arts program at Hebron Academy, where she directed the chorus, taught classroom music and served as a private voice teacher. She also coached the HBGBs, an a capella group at Hebron.

Also, she was vocal coach and rehearsal pianist for the Portland Symphony Orchestra Pops in the past.

Her instruments are organ, piano and keyboard. Last year she tried to pick the fiddle up and may try the guitar in the future.

She has accompanied vocalists in competitions through the National Association of Teachers of Singing at Bates College for several years.

“Music for me is innate. It’s a way of therapy and a way to emote. Music is my outlet,” Barefoot said.

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