♦ Children & Youth Choirs ♦ Chancel Choir ♦ Handbell Choirs ♦ Tuesday Music ♦
♦ Summer Music Camp ♦ Music Ministry CDs & DVDs ♦ Special Dates ♦

Here at West Market Street United Methodist Church, we feel that the music...

	whether it is a gospel song,
	a great masterwork by Bach or Handel,
	an arrangement of a Southern folk tune,
	or an African-American spiritual,

is a blending of musical styles with a commitment to integrity and spirituality. The music ministry is a vital part of our worship and fellowship activity. We offer five different choirs based on age and musical interest. Please come and join us in our music ministry!  If you are interested in participating in our music ministry, contact Alice Ann Johnson at 336-275-4587, vm 18.

Music Programs of West Market Street United Methodist Church

Children & Youth Choirs (4 years - 12th grade)

Our children's choirs sing approximately once a month in worship service and are designed to encourage our children's love of music and increase their understanding of music as a part of our worship to God. Our groups belong to the Chorister Guild and occasionally participate in festivals with other churches in our community. Please contact Alice Ann Johnson if you are interested.  Our children's choirs meet Wednesdays (Cherub Choir) and Sundays (Joyful Noise Choir) during the school year.

  Cherub Choir - Open to all 4 year-olds thru first grade children.  Meets 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in Room 303.  Directed by Susan Bates & Lee Willard.

  Joyful Noise Choir - Every 2nd - 5th grader is invited to participate. Meets 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. on Sunday evenings, in the Leak Chapel.  Directed by Hannah Lloyd & Caroline Miller.
 

Chancel Choir

Open to all people from Senior High and up who wish to worship God through music. Our choir is comprised of people at all musical levels who like to sing. Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights in Room 317, September - June  6:45 - 8:00 p.m.  Summer rehearsals are on Sunday mornings.  Members of the Chancel Choir may choose to sing at one or both services. In the fall our choir also hosts a benefit concert, entitled Choir Follies, for the music fund.  For more information, contact Alice Ann Johnson.

Handbell Choirs

Our bell choirs ring five octaves of White Chapel handbells, among the finest made.  These choirs meet September thru April and are directed by Alice Ann Johnson.

Market Bell Ringers - Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Room 316 - This is an intergenerational handbell choir that is committed to worship through music. This choir performs during our worship services at various times of the year and also participates in activities in our community. Our handbell choir is a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers and attends the annual adult festival.

 

Tuesday Music

Tuesday Music in our sanctuary features area musicians offering recitals and concerts from 12:30 - 12:55 pm each Tuesday (except during July and August). Whether it is music performed by a Slideshow - Music Camp 2007symphony soloist, a choral group from an area college, or professional jazz musicians at our "Jazz in June,"  you will be refreshed and inspired by this midday offering.  Music for meditation begins at 12:25pm.  Lunch is served in our fellowship hall prior to (11:45am - 12:30pm) and immediately following (1:00 - 1:20pm) the performance for a cost of $5.00.  Park at the metered spaces on Commerce Place or in our Early Childhood Center lot located at Eugene Street and Friendly Avenue.  For information, contact Alice Ann Johnson.

Annual Summer Music Camp

Held every summer and is open to all who have finished 2nd thru 5th grade in our church and community. Each day the campers rotate through four learning blocks (music, biblical story, costumes, props, staging and theatre games). At the conclusion of the week the campers participate in two performances of the chosen musical for that year. 

Music Ministry CDs & DVDs

West Market Street organist, Susan Bates, has recently recorded a CD of "Postludes" on our glorious, world-class Dobson-Rosales organ.  Offered as a legacy of the church and in celebration of the spiritually empowered music ministries of the church, the CD features a joyous Bach organ concerto; Susan's husband, Jim's Variations on "All Things Bright and Beautiful"; two hymn improvisations along with some fiery French symphonic pieces.  Bill Oden made this recording possible, and we thank him from the depths of our hearts. The CD is available through the church office for $15, which will benefit the Music Fund of the church.  It is Susan's prayer and hope that this gift of hers to the church will bless you and bring glory and honor to God alone.

Click to listen to these sample tracks from Postludes:  (All sample tracks are MP3 files)

• Track 1 - J. S. Bach - from Concerto I in G Major (3:25)
• Track 9 - James Bates - from Variations on "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (2:53)
• Track 27 - Louis Vierne - Symphony I: Finale (5:52)

A variety of choral music favorites sung by our Chancel Choir, and three organ solos by Susan Bates are available on a CD...Sing Out My Soul.  CDs are available in the church office for $15.00.  Contact Alice Ann Johnson at 336-275-4587, vm 18 or ajohnson@wmsumc.org.

Click to listen to these sample tracks from Sing Out My Soul: (All sample tracks are MP3 files)

• Track 16 - I Want to be Ready (2:51)
• Track 20 - When In Our Music God is Glorified (3:16)
• Track 21 - Charles-Marie Widor - Toccata from Symphonie V (5:14)

All sales of CDs benefit the Music Fund.

Special Dates Planned for 2008: