The Chancel Choir

An adult choir which is responsible for leading worship service on a weekly basis from September through June. Currently between 17 and 20 dedicated members strong, the choir rehearses Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 PM and Sunday mornings from 9:10-9:45 AM.

The Festival Choir

Designed for children in grades 1 through 6, and now, about 12-strong, the Choir is a place for teaching the rudiments of music and singing, and for the members to learn about the place of music as an element in worship. The choir performs about once every six weeks and practices for about a half-hour after the Sunday worship service.

The Sounding Brass Ringers

This is an adult handbell choir for people of all levels of musical and bell-ringing experience. Currently consisting of 10 members, the choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM and leads in worship every 2-3 weeks. Interested ringers also rehearse solos, duets, trios and quartets on Sunday mornings between 9:00 and 10:00 AM for presentation during worship services.

The Youth Choir

This choir is for singers in grades 7-12. Part-singing is the norm and musical and vocal growth and proficiency are the aim. Currently, the Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30pm.

The Hallelujah Ringers

This is a handbell choir for ringers in grades 4 through 12. Rehearsing from approximately 12:15-1:00pm on Sunday afternoons. The Choir will be presenting musical selections during the 10:00am worship service about once a month. As with all choirs, musical growth and understanding are key elements in the preparation process.

Choir News

Well, the season is upon us and it’s time, once again, to think about joining that choir. Now, I know you’ve thought about it in the past, but this is really the time to do something about it — the choirs aren’t getting any bigger or any younger. And if you know someone who you believe should be in one of our choirs, then a little friendly prodding wouldn’t hurt and, probably, in the end, someone will be grateful to you for your persistence.

We all know the “why nots” about joining a choir, let me give you a couple of “why to’s”. Music is fun and rewarding. Almost everyone is less tired and frustrated after a rehearsal than before. It’s a team sport without pain or fear of physical injury (occasionally I throw chairs, but that’s rare). It’s fun and rewarding. Sometimes you learn stuff. Did I mention it is fun and rewarding (Festival Choir members get lollipops at the end of rehearsals.) It brings joy to the congregation. (Of course, if a piece doesn’t go well, it brings a smile or a chuckle—but that’s almost as good!). There is a sense of satisfaction in accomplishing something (ask the members of the Sounding Brass Ringers — it’s happened a couple of times!). Saint Thomas Aquinas said, “He who sings prays twice,” and that goes for playing the bells or any other instrument, and Aquinas knew what he was talking about. Victor Hugo said, “Music expresses that which we can not speak, and upon which it is impossible to remain silent.” And it speaks not just to those that give it voice, but to those that give it ear.

People say, “I don’t have time to make that commitment.” But no one is asking for a full-time commitment. We are well aware that many of you have lives, but, if you have a talent (big or small), think about sharing it with the rest of us — even once in a while. Coming up is a listing of the various choirs and their rehearsal times. No one of these choirs is any better or any worse than the other, they all perform a function and they are all open to all of you. See which one suits you and give some real honest thought to joining. We can do it without you, but it would be better with you.

  • The Chancel Choir rehearses Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 PM High School & up
  • The Sounding Brass Ringers rehearses on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. High School & up
  • The Festival Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings after the 10:00 service.

If you have any musical experience, and would like to try your hand at playing the bells, we will have a beginning bell class after the Festival Choir rehearsal on Sunday mornings starting this Fall. This class is open to everyone from the 4th grade up (up to senior citizen).

Anyone interested please contact Ron after church or call 651-2277 or e-mail ron@hotopera.com