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MUSIC at MESSIAH
Please contact Hannah Albrecht with any questions.
The guiding principle of the Music Ministry is that music should serve as an aid to worship. To this end, we seek to provide the highest quality and most liturgically appropriate music in all settings.
Music at Messiah is not a performance opportunity – rather, our musical offerings are an integrated part of the whole intended to lift up the congregation by complimenting and reinforcing the message of the service.
We also firmly believe that if you have music in your heart, then there’s a place for you in the Music Ministry at Messiah. A variety of musical opportunities are available including Chancel Choir and Bell Choir. All are welcome, and in every case, congratulations, you have already passed your audition! Music groups at Messiah are both fun and personally rewarding - make musical expression a valuable part of your life! Please contact current chancel or bell choir members or chimers for more information, or feel free to contact Hannah Albrecht.
The CHANCEL CHOIR sings from September through June at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service and at special services. The choir is comprised of congregation members.
While the emphasis is placed firmly on music rooted in the Anglican musical tradition, Chancel Choir repertoire covers a broad range of musical influences and styles.
Chancel Choir rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00
p.m. An additional
rehearsal is held on
Sunday morning
from 8:30 - 9:10 a.m.,
prior to the regular
9:30 a.m. service.
The Messiah Music
Ministry invites
anyone who feels
called to sing as part
of their personal worship to become a part of the Chancel Choir. The members of the Choir are a widely divergent group with a variety of musical skill levels - while we have different amounts of musical training (ranging from none to a significant amount) and while we come from different backgrounds, we are united as a choir in the sense that we are here to make our very best contribution to the overall worship experience. Anyone age 14 and up is welcome in the Chancel Choir - our doors are always open to new members!
Want to find out what it is like to sing in the choir without necessarily making a year-long commitment? Special singing opportunities are offered throughout the year and we invite you to be a part of the Chancel Choir. For more information to join us for special events please contact Hannah.
BELL CHOIR rings from September through June at selected
Sunday and special services throughout the liturgical year,
sometimes by themselves and sometimes with the Chancel
Choir. The Bell Choir has "found its voice" and has become
an exciting part of the musical mix at Messiah.
Repertoire for the Bell Choir is drawn from a variety of sources, and includes arrangements of hymns, original pieces, and more. Performance degree of difficulty ranges from easy to moderate. As the Bell Choir continues to grow and develop its skills, the repertoire will continue to expand appropriately. As part of our efforts to develop our skills and understanding, the Bell Choir continues to take part in instructional seminars during the year.
Bell Choir rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. When the Bell Choir is scheduled to ring at a 9:30 a.m. Sunday service, an additional 8:30 - 9:10 a.m. rehearsal is scheduled.
Bell ringers, regardless of experience, are encouraged to become a part of the Messiah Bell Choir, and novices are most welcome. The basics of bell-ringing are easily learned, and the resulting music-making is highly rewarding.
The CHIMERS of MESSIAH are a devoted group of church members who chime the tower bells before and after the 9:30 service every Sunday, and for special holidays as well. We now have several members, but are always eager to bring new people into the fold. Potential new chimers are invited to contact Hannah Albrecht or Chimer Coordinator Martha Hewson for more information.
CARILLONS AT MESSIAH: THE SECOND ERA BEGINS
Read more here about the exciting news of moving our bell stand to the church's original narthex!
Some History - Judge Charles Francis Gummey had not only served with distinction on the bench but also served for many years on the Vestry at Church of the Messiah. At his death, a chime collection of 11 bells was placed in his memory in the Ingersoll Tower. Undaunted by the bitter cold, the congregation gathered at the base of the tower for the dedication early in January 1930. Each bell was tolled individually...
* G — (the largest – 1600 lbs.) – Faith, Hope, Charity
* A — Patience
* B — Kindness
* C — Generosity
* C# - Humility
* D — Courtesy
* E — Unselfishness
* F — Good Temper
* F# - Guile
* G — Sincerity
* A — (the smallest) - Peace
The old year was rung out - the new year rung in.
The remaining three bells were given in honor of Henry McAdoo by his family on March 5, 1981 in celebration of his 65th birthday.