Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God! (Colossians 3:16)
| The Music Ministries at FUMC provides a variety of opportunities for members and friends of the congregation to experience, develop, and express their faith through music. You are invited to join our music ensembles. Please do not hesitate to talk to Koi Hin Samuel Kwok our Director of Music Ministries if you want to be a member of our music ministries. Those interested in sharing their musical gifts are invited to contact Koi Hin Samuel Kwok, our Director of Music Ministries at 338-7653 or samuel-kwok@icfirstchurch.org. |
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Exciting Music Schedule for 2010! Monday 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.: Joyful Chimers (Handchime Choir for retired members) 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.: Jubilation Ringers (Handbell Choir for adults who read music well) Wednesday 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.: FUMC Chamber Choir (Adults singing at the Conerstone Service) 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.: Chancel Choir (adults singing at the Koinonia Service, we provide Child Care!) Thursday (Year Round) 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.: Sanctuary Band (please contact me for an audition!) Sunday 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.: Wesley Chimes (Handchime Choir for 1st to 8th Graders) 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.: Children’s Choir for K- 2nd Graders 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.: Children's Choir for 3rd - 6th Graders 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.: Youth Worship Band for 7th-12th Graders
~ VOCAL CHOIRS FOR ADULTS ~
The Chancel Choir ~Listen Here~
Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. & Sundays 9:30-10:20 a.m. in the Choir Room
The Chancel Choir traces its roots to the founding of FUMC and today maintains a program of exceptional music. The choir's repertoire encompasses a wide variety of musical styles ranging from traditional anthems by great composers to finest selections by leading contemporary Christian composers.
From time to time, extended choral works are presented, often accompanied by an instrumental ensemble. The choir also offers special music services during the seasons of Advent and Lent, including G. F. Handel's Oratorio Messiah, Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata, Camille Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio, John Rutter's Magnificat, Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria, and John Rutter's Gloria.
Intended for adult and college-age singers, the Chancel Choir roster includes members with nearly a half-century of involvement singing side by side with talented students from the University of Iowa and many other dedicated members.
The Chancel Choir participates weekly in Sunday morning services, except during the month of August. The Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from September to May and on Sunday mornings in June and July. They also share their music in Retirement Centers during Christmas season. Child care is available for both rehearsals and Sunday morning worship. Special activities with members, families and friends are planned through the year.
The FUMC Chamber Choir
Wednesdays 6:30-7:00 p.m. & Sunday 7:30-7:50 a.m. in the Choir Room
The FUMC Chamber Choir which comprises of 8 to 10 singers, it presents a wide variety of musical styles. These include unaccompanied Renaissance motets as well as contemporary sacred choral literature. The Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from September to May and participates once a month in Cornerstone worship service. This Choir also presents sacred music in public venues.
~ VOCAL CHOIRS FOR CHILDREN ~
For many children, singing in choir is the beginning of a life filled with service to God through the use of their gifts and talents. The commitment to attending rehearsals, the chance to learn and improve music skills, to worship God, and the friendships that come as the children sing, play and have fun together are an important foundation for a lifetime of involvement in the church. The children practice on Sunday afternoons and sing in Sunday morning worship and Christmas Eve services. They also share their lovely voices in the community. Starting this Fall, we will be using the latest comprehensive teaching curriculum published by St. James Music Press for our children’s choirs, Grades K-2 and 3-6. The children will be learning hymns, music history, liturgy, aural and singing skills, music reading and general musicianship.
Our children’s choirs had a fruitful choir year, they sang anthems at least once a month. They also presented a Children's Musical “Company’s Coming”. This Fall, all K to 6th readers will be presenting a Festival of Lessons and Carols with the Chancel Choir on December 13rd. They will also sing on October 11th in the Children’s and Youth Sunday Service.
Children’s Choir for K-2nd Graders
Sundays 4-4:45 p.m. in the Choir Room
The children will learn the faith through simple hymns, songs, anthems and musical activities in this choir. They will start to learn the solfege system in this choir. This choir sings regularly in Sunday worship services from October through May. We also welcome preschoolers who enjoy singing in choir.
Children’s Choir for 3rd to 6th Graders
Sundays 4:50-5:30 p.m. in the Choir Room
The children will learn hymns, anthems and solfege system in this choir. They will present songs with uplifting and inspirational themes. They also take part in some of the combined choral ensembles during the year, but routinely participate in worship services twice per month for Sunday worship services from October through May.
Combined Children's Choir performance: Celebration Sunday, 11/15/09 ~Listen Here~
~ WORSHIP BANDS ~
The Sanctuary Band
Thursdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The establishment of the Sanctuary Band is to provide vocal and instrumental music leadership for the Sanctuary Service. Members spend some time practicing at home on their own and most of the time in group rehearsals. We also perform in retirement residences throughout the year. Each week of participation takes about 6 hours of personal practice, band rehearsal and worship time. The members of this band also spend time in devotion, prayer and care for one another each week. We do not follow written music scores, vocalists and instrumentalists are expected to utilize lead sheets for each song. Instrumentalist will need their own instruments. The most important requirement is to “Love for God, neighbor and self.” Auditions for the band are open to anyone with facility on their instrument or voice.
Youth Worship Band
Sundays 5:45-7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The Youth Worship Band is open to junior and senior high school students. These young people will learn how to sing and play contemporary Christian songs in this band. Players need to use their own instruments. They share their music at the Sanctuary and Koinonia Worship Services. They present songs few times a year and leading the Sanctuary Service on Children’s and Youth Sundays.
~ HANDBELL & HANDCHIME ENSEMBLES ~
The Wesley Chimes
Sundays 8:30-9:00 a.m. in Room 203 (Education Building)
The Wesley Chimes is open to 1st to 8th graders. It is a great opportunity for the children and youth to serve our Lord in this church. The children and youth will learn the playing techniques of handchimes in this ensemble. They present music in a variety of musical styles, including accompanying congregational hymns and playing with other church music ensembles. They share their music with the congregation at worship services about 6 times a year. They perform in Retirement Homes during Christmas Season. They rehearse on Sunday mornings from September to May leading by 4 dedicated teachers.
The Joyful Chimers ~ Listen Here ~
Mondays 4:15-5:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The Joyful Chimers was established in 2004. This ensemble is open to adults who enjoy to play traditional hymn arrangements. Most of the members are retired and some of them are working part-time. Musical knowledge is not required, but some of them are excellent musicians. We play monthly at Koinonia Worship Service from October to June and also played in special Christmas and Lent worships and gatherings. They rehearse on Monday afternoons from September to June. We also pray and share our joys together every week. This is a very joyful group!
The Jubilation Ringers ~Listen Here~
Mondays 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Over the past thirty years, the Jubilation Ringers has been a vital musical ensemble in FUMC. It is made up of adult members from the congregation and the community. A variety of musical styles are played, including the use of solo instruments. They play monthly at Sunday morning worship services and rehearse on Monday afternoons from late August to mid May.
This ensemble offers special music services such as “Advent/Christmas Musical Offering”, “Bell-e-bration” in May and takes part in some of the combined choral ensembles during the year. The ringers play at community programs, area churches and weddings several times a year. They also participated in American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Conferences.
~ SOLO AND ENSEMBLE MUSICAL PRESENTATION ~
There are many opportunities for instrumentalists and vocalists to share their musical gifts in First United Methodist Church. Members and friends are encouraged to contact Samuel Kwok, the Director of Music to schedule a musical offering in our worship services.
INSTRUMENTS AT FUMC
The rich tradition of instrumental music has been lovingly supported by gifts, memorials, bequests and budget line items with the church. The instruments in the church serve as an essential resource for services and celebrations and as such receive regular professional maintenance and tuning.
THE ORGAN – part of the church’s 150th year renovation project, is a three-manual tracker Holtkamp with 43 rands, 33 stops and 2,296 pipes.
PIANOS – a 1987 Baldwin grand “L” for the sanctuary; a 1972 Yamaha upright “U1” for the Fellowship Hall, and a 1968 Yamaha studio “P2” for the choir room.
HANDBELL & HANDCHIME SETS – a five-octave 1982 Schulmerich, a three-octave 1973 Malmark, and a four-octave 2003 Malmark handchime set along with assorted mallets and percussions instruments.