Worship> Arts In Worship> Music

Music

Music is a vital and meaningful part of Westminster’s worship life. Our music programs embrace a variety of musical styles and offer opportunities for participation at all ages and levels of experience. For more information contact Betsy Hyslop at 299-3785 (x128) or e-mail her at betsy.hyslop@westpreschurch.org.

Summer Casual Choir (High School-Adult)

Casual Choir is a perfect fit for the life of a busy singer! The choir leads worship in Summer months (June, July, August) and there are no rehearsals required! High School youth and adults are invited to sample the choral experience by coming to the Choir room (206) at 10 a.m. to warm-up, to practice, and then to sing the 11:00 service. No commitments, no extensive schedule. Participation is simple and fun! Even if your previous singing experience has been behind a shower curtain or steering wheel, this is the group for you! (Childcare is available).
Rehearsals: 10:00-10:45am June-August

Children's 2010 Music Camp

Westminster’s Music Camp is a week-long day camp for elementary-aged children. The camp meets from 9:00am-12:00noon generally two weeks after public school ends. Classes include camp choir, rhythm and movement, hand chimes, recorder playing, and musical craft making. No previous musical experience is necessary. Fee for the camp is $60 per child with a $75 family limit. The camp is June 21- 25. The theme is "Music on the Move!"

Westminster Schola Cantorum (Auditioned)

One of our newest groups, the Westminster Schola Cantorum is a select ensemble open to singers with advanced vocal skills. The eight-to-twelve member ensemble, anchored by our four Chancel Choir Scholars, will perform challenging a cappella repertoire, spanning musical genres from the Fourteenth to Twenty-First centuries. Members will be involved in various worship services throughout the year and perform in outreach venues within our community. A high level of sight singing, strong sense of pitch, and the ability to perform with a wide range of approach to vibrato will be hallmarks of this group. Chancel Choir membership is a requirement to be considered for this ensemble.
Rehearsals: varies

Worship Band (Auditioned)

Westminster’s Worship Bands provide musical leadership for services at both the Friendly Ave. and Lake Brandt campuses. The role of music in our contemporary services is to enhance and enrich the worship experience. Repertoire is drawn from a variety of musical sources including traditional hymns, Contemporary Christian, rock, folk and bluegrass. Members of the Worship Band are auditioned.
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:00-9:00 pm in Friendly Avenue Sanctuary

Wholeness & Healing Service Musicians

Westminster offers a meditative service with Taize music every other month in the chapel on the second Sunday at 7 pm. Volunteer classical musicians and vocalist lead the musical selections.

Rehearsals: none

Musical Opportunities from September through May

Chancel Choir (High School-Adult)

The Chancel Choir is a non-auditioned group of approximately 60 members that welcomes all adults who have a desire to be part of leading worship with singing. Singers are asked to be able to read music at a minimal level, but there is no audition, and all are welcome! The choir sings weekly for the Sunday 11 a.m. traditional worship service, performs two major concerts per year with orchestra, and other concerts throughout the year with distinguished guest artists. Members of the Chancel Choir include the music director of two major American Symphony Orchestras, music faculty of a highly regarded school of music (UNCG), instrumentalists with lauded careers both as orchestral and solo musicians, and some of America’s finest rising young vocalists. More importantly, though, Chancel Choir is a family. A family uniformly committed to making great music, to allowing that music to serve as both worship and inspiring performance, and to uniquely connecting us all at the place where spirituality and artistry meet. Highlights for the choir in the past year included a successful tour of Scotland (with concerts in Iona Abbey and Edinburgh’s Saint Giles Cathedral), and a Spring performance of the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams with Metropolitan Opera Baritone Troy Cook.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7:35-9:00 p.m. September-May in room 206.

Vine Voices (High School/Adult)

Westminster’s Vine Voices is a praise and worship chorus which sings on a regular basis at our Lake Brandt campus as well as for special seasonal programs. No auditions, experience or music reading ability is necessary. The only requirement for membership in the group is a love for singing.
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6:00-7:00pm in Friendly Avenue Chapel

Youth Music

Westminster’s Youth Band is open to all middle and high school youth who like to sing or who play an instrument. The Youth Band provides music for youth gatherings, including our “for youth-by youth” Open Door services.

Rehearsals: Sunday afternoons, 5:30 - 6:30 pm, Sept. - May in Friendly Avenue Sanctuary

Cherub Choir (K- 1st grade)

The Cherub Choir is open to children in kindergarten and first grade. This is a “first music experiences” choir with emphasis on learning basic musicianship through singing, movement and instrument-playing. This group participates in worship services throughout the year and joins the Junior Choir for our annual spring musical. If you want your child to sing at Christmas time, have them join this choir in September.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6:15 p.m.-7:00 p.m September - May.

Junior Choir (2nd - 5th grade)

The Junior Choir welcomes children who are in the second through fifth grades. The choir will join in the leading of worship approximately one Sunday per month at the 11:00 a.m. traditional service, and will be singing at special concerts and services throughout the year, including the annual Christmas Concert and Spring Musical. Children will develop musical skills through rhythmic activities and training in proper vocal technique. If you want your child to sing at Christmas time, have them join this choir in September.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6:15 p.m.- 7:00 p.m September - May.

Westminster Presbyterian Musical Instruments

Friendly Avenue Sanctuary
Schantz Pipe Organ, 1994 (additions 2006)
Mason and Hamlin BB 7’0 Simi-concert Grand Piano, 2008

Friendly Avenue Chapel
Zimmer and Sons Pipe Organ, 1977 (rebuilt 2003)
Young Chang 5’2 Grand Piano, 2002

Lake Brandt Sanctuary

Young Chang 7' Grand Piano