I. PHILOSOPHY

"Good church music is that music which has appropriate meaning to a particular congregation." -- Forrest Herren, late dean of the School of Church Music at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

The congregation of Christ United Methodist Church is composed of people of all ages from varying backgrounds, yet there seems to be a commonality of taste when it comes to music. That taste is broad, however, and encompasses styles as diverse as Bach and Bill Gaither. A middle-of-the-road course is usually charted with both congregational song and choral anthems. Service music provided by our organist, Debbie Blades, Foot-patting anthems (sometimes with tambourine accompaniment) are occasionally used. Somber, meditative music is also a part of our worship. The elements of worship, whether they be hymns or choral anthems or spoken calls to worship, are not taken lightly; our staff carefully considers each element of the service and how it contributes to the theme or Scripture of the day. Your comments are helpful to us as we strive to create an environment in which you can worship through prayer, Scripture, sermon, and music.

II. STAFF

The Director of Music Ministries is Ronnie Crawford. He has been involved in music ministry for many years.

III. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION

1. CHANCEL CHOIR. Open to adults or youth. For adults, no auditions necessary, only a love of music and a commitment to rehearsals and Sunday services. Youth may sing by special permission of the director, Ronnie Crawford.

Rehearsals are 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. every Wednesday in the church sanctuary.

The Chancel Choir sings for every 11:00 a.m. Sunday service, for occasional 8:30 a.m. services, and for special evening services or programs (e.g., Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve, Christmas caroling).

The Chancel Choir has a wide stylistic variety in their repertoire, including "standard" anthems (think Mormon Tabernacle Choir-style music like the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" or Martin Shaw’s "With a Voice of Singing"), classical, spirituals, gospel music, contemporary Christian music, and other styles. The choir also occasionally sings a cappella (without accompaniment) or with such instruments as brass quartet or guitar. Most anthems are 4 part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) although other voicing are also used from time to time.

2. JOYFUL NOISE. This choir is open to adults who are able to sing each Monday (10:00-11:00 a.m.) at one of 4 local nursing homes (on a rotating basis). (Fifth Mondays are days off.) The choir also currently sings at the 8:30 a.m. worship service on each fourth Sunday. No auditions necessary, only a love of music. Although the choir sings 4 part harmony, music reading ability is not necessary. This choir is a good training ground for someone wanting to learn to sing a part other than the melody. The basic repertoire is the gospel music and hymns that many of this generation of "senior adults" call "the old songs".

3. HANDBELL CHOIR. At present time this group is not active.

4. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Although outside professional or guest musicians are occasionally brought in to provide the needs of a special cantata, musical, or program, our philosophy is to use the music talents of our members as much as possible. Keyboard players (i.e., pianists) are sometimes recruited to play a special orchestral sound on one of our synthesizer-type keyboards. In the past, church members have played solo offertories or have added to choir anthems or congregational singing with guitars, trombones, trumpets, clarinets, flutes, violins, and various percussion instruments. If you play an instrument -- be it piano, oboe, drums, autoharp, or kazoo -- see Ronnie Crawford for more information. Music can be arranged for your own playing abilities.

5. VOCAL SOLOS (ENSEMBLES). Singers are encouraged to lend their talents to one of our choirs, but many also feel led to use their musical gifts singing solos, duets, or in some other type of ensemble (e.g., men’s quartet, women’s trio). Vocal styles may be classical, gospel, or whatever the singer is best suited for. See Ronnie Crawford to arrange for an audition. Soloists are often used to provide music for the 8:30 a.m. worship service.

6. CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC. The congregation is our largest choir! We try to treat the congregation as a choir in interpreting the music appropriately. Most singing is from the Methodist Hymnal, although occasional song sheets are inserted in the bulletin. The congregation sings almost as wide a variety of music as the Chancel Choir, including spirituals, contemporary Christian music, standard hymns, and gospel songs.