Music Ministries

We are currently searching for a new Director of Music Ministries. If you are interested in applying, click here for more information.

CHANCEL CHOIR

CHANCEL CHOIR is open to college-age through adult singers. This choir leads worship in the 10:30 AM service each week and presents two to three major programs or concerts each year, including the annual Christmas Cantata and a Holy Week/Easter presentation. Contrary to popular opinion, reading music is not a requirement for singing in the Chancel Choir (most of our members say they do not "read music"), but a willingness to learn is a must! Auditions are not required but the ability to "carry a tune" is a prerequisite. (The way we say it is: "We provide the tune; you provide the bucket!") Current enrollment in the Chancel Choir is 19 singers.

REHEARSALS

During the school year from September through May, Chancel Choir rehearsals are held on Wednesday nights from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m., and in the summer months a little earlier, from 6:00 until 7:15 p.m. Nursery care is available for all rehearsals and services. Rehearsals are held in a beautiful music suite and rehearsal area, dedicated to the memory of the beloved Earle Cooke, who faithfully served FUMC Minden as choir director for a record 50 years! The Music Suite is conveniently located directly beneath the sanctuary choir loft.

CHILDREN'S CHOIRS

The FUMC Music Ministries offer music learning and service opportunities for children from ages 3 through 6th grades in three singing choirs and one hand-chime / handbell choir. The activity and scheduling of the groups depend upon the interest and demand indicated during the annual music ministry enrollment campaign, this year conducted mid-August to mid-September. The goal in all children’s music groups is to evidence the love of God to all children while providing quality, fun education in a nurturing Christian environment.

All children’s music groups meet on Wednesday evenings immediately before or after the weekly Family Fellowship Supper, served from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

THE CHERUB CHILDREN

Ages: 3 and 4 year-olds

Rehearsal: Wednesdays, 5:45 – 6:15 p.m., Children’s Building, Room 7

Director: Dyann Jones

Accompanist: Dianne McGuire

Assistant: Mary Pickett

Contact: 377.1499 (Director) or 377.1483 (Church Office)

The musical emphasis in this choir is making music fun for all children in engaging and creative ways, such as through tone-matching and rhythmic games, nonsense songs, choruses, and hand motions. The Cherub Children sing in the 10:30 AM worship service two to three times a year and participate in the Palm Sunday processional and end of the year children's musical/program each May. Current enrollment is this choir is 8 happy children.

THE SONSHINE SINGERS

Ages: K5 through 2^nd Grade

Rehearsal: Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m., Children’s Building, Room 4

Director: TBA

Accompanist: Mattie Daniel

Assistant: Trista Hortman

Contact: 425.4498 (Director) or 377.1483 (Church Office)

Children in this choir are introduced to musical notation concepts, dynamics, and rhythmic coordination while learning songs appropriate for worship. The Sonshine Singers sing in the 10:30 AM worship service two to four times a year, participate in the Christmas musical/pageant, the Palm Sunday processional, and the end of the year musical/program. Biblical and doctrinal truths and Christian concepts are presented and reinforced through all music and music activities. Enrollment in this choir is 18 enthusiastic children.

THE CARPENTER’S CHILDREN

Ages: Grades 3 through 6

Rehearsal: Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m., Children’s Building, Room 5

Director: TBA

Accompanist: TBA

Assistant: Stephanie Sanders

Contact: 425.4498 (Director) or 377.1483 (Church Office)

Emphasis in this older elementary choir is on finding and developing the singing voice, matching pitches, learning rhythmic patterns, and transitioning to parts singing. Additional goals include music skill development, personal growth, confidence building, leadership training and self-esteem enhancement.

The Carpenter's Children sing in the 10:30 AM worship service about four times a year and present a Christmas and/or Spring musical each year. A highlight is the "Flashlight Rehearsal" the week of Halloween. Current enrollment in the 2009-2010 Carpenter's Children is 14 exuberant youngsters.

HANDBELL CHOIRS

CHIMETIMERS

Ages: Grades 3 through 7

Rehearsal: Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:00 p.m., Education Wing, Handbell Room

Director: TBA

Accompanist: TBA

Contact: 425.4498 (Director) or 377.1483 (Church Office)

A handchime choir for children, 4^th- 7^thgrades, with planned transition to handbell ringing. Emphases include music reading development, rhythmic concepts, hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and team building. So far this season, only one child has registered for ChimeTimers (way to go, Madeline!)... so there'd be room for your child!

EXCELSIOR ENSEMBLE

Ages: Experienced Adult Ringers

Rehearsal: Mondays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Education Wing, Handbell Room

Director: TBA

Contact: 425.4498 (Director) and 377.1483 (Church Office)

New in the 2009-2010 season, this is a four-octave ensemble handbell choir of five experienced music-reading adults. Admittedly an attempt to rejuvenate our adult handbell ministry, this ensemble will seek to keep the ministry alive at FUMC Minden until additionally-needed ringers enlist for the full Excelsior Handbell Choir of 10-11 ringers.

The Excelsior Ensemble will ring several times during the coming year for 10:30 worship services and may make an appearance or two with the Minden Community Chorus, sponsored by our church’s music ministries. Nursery care is available for all rehearsals, services and performances.