Chancel Choir
Rehearsals
Chancel Choir meets Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. from September through the end of May.
Audition requirements
The ability to at least to carry a tune and/or harmonize ....without the aid of a bucket!
willingness to serve the Lord and Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord,
Duties
Leads congregation in singing at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Service and generally sings an Opening (Introit), Anthem and Closing ("detroit" as we call it!)
Events
Presentation of an Advent/Christmas and Lenten/Easter Cantata each choir season, annual end of year picnic, Father's Day Choir, Mother's Day Choir and other social and spiritual centered events throughout the year.
The inside scoop on the Easter cantata
When I suggested writing some articles about the Easter cantata to Pastors Munn and Jim and choir director Peter, I wasn’t sure, initially, how to approach the topic. It occurred to me that I should write to you as if I were sitting at your kitchen table, telling about each of the pieces and why they are so powerful. So, grab a cup of your favorite warm drink and together we’ll explore the Easter cantata, “Come Walk With Me”.
This is the second cantata our choir has presented by the composer Pepper Choplin. If you have a computer at home, look him up. He’s young! His youth definitely shows up in the energy and excitement of his music, and our choir loves to sing his works. He writes from the heart; his lyrics and arrangements are outstanding. Truthfully, there may be parts of this year’s cantata that I might not actually be able to sing – they hit me that powerfully each time I hear them. (That doesn’t mean you get to watch me to figure out when I’m lip-synching.)
The cantata’s format was inspired by the PBS documentaries by Ken Burns. As you listen to the cantata, you’ll hear readings done as if they were the actual characters speaking during the events of Holy Week. A narrator leads the listeners through the story as the events unfold. The other interesting thing about the beginning of our cantata is that it starts with an overture of sorts. Our soloist will give you hints about everything you will hear throughout the rest of the cantata, with one important exception. You’ll have to come to the Easter service to figure out what has been omitted from the “overture”. Her solo music will be a recurring theme during the cantata. Can you tell I’m excited about this? I can hardly type fast enough to get this on the page! Overhead, on the projection screen, you’ll also see some recurring images. The power point that goes with this cantata has been carefully designed to enhance the lyrics and music. Next week, you’ll read more about the cantata and some of the Scriptures involved in the music. Until then, sing loudly in the shower so you’ll be ready to sing praises to God on Easter Sunday.
--Nicole McKinley