Sunday Morning
Services
10:30 am
|
Musicians needed! Children's Choir: A fun and enriching musical experience for children ages 6 to 12! Click here to download the pdf flyer Youth Handbell Choir: Young players are required (age 7-13/14). Some music reading experience an asset. Rehearsals follow the Service of Worship on Sunday mornings. Adult Choir: singers required in all sections but most urgently in the tenor and bass sections. Sanctuary Band: 1 drummer req'd (equipment provided), also acoustic guitar and electric/acoustic bass players. Our Choirs offer tremendous music leadership in a congregation. Their importance cannot be overstated. Our Choirs empower, inspire, reflect a congregation's positive attitude toward the importance of music in its worship, and offer a great measure of pleasure and enjoyment, and friendship. Anyone interested in any of the above opportunities is asked to contact Ray Grant at 423-8498 or by e-mail at raygrant@eastlink.ca or in person on Sunday mornings. Adult Choir - Thursday, 7:30 - 9:30pm. The ministry of music provided by the adult choir at St. John's United is vibrant and multi-faceted. The choir prepares anthems for the Sunday morning worship services, offering the congregation the praise and contemplation found within the music. As well, the choir serves in a leadership role with additional music in the service, such as sung responses and hymns. 
Throughout
the year, the adult choir participates in other musical activities,
most notably Christmas and spring concerts, Holy Week services, the
RCCO carol service, and fund-raising cabarets.
Members of the choir form the base
of volunteers organizing the behind-the-scenes work for the St.
John's Series. Through these efforts, the choir has been able to
make artistic and financial contributions to the life of the church. Part of the fun and challenge of being in the adult choir is learning and singing the wide range of music prepared through the year. From Renaissance to gospel, classical to modern, all is offered to the glory of God. Membership is open to anyone. Previous singing experience is an asset, but not a prerequisite. Please contact Ray Grant - 464-8574 or 423-8498. Our Adult Choir performs
on Sunday, September 21, 2008.
Our Director of Music Ray Grant conducts the choir as they perform 'Come Sing Alleluia', accompanied by Nancy Nelson /piano, and Chad Barkhouse /drums. Handbell Choir - Thursday, 6 - 7:15pm. Glance up to the south side of the balcony and you will see a collection of tables, music stands and large black boxes. This is the home of the St. John's Handbell Choir. Opening the boxes reveals the 5-octave collection of hand bells and hand chimes used by a small but faithful group of ringers.
 Youth Handbell Choir - Sunday, 11:45-12:30pm. This new ensemble welcomes young people, ages 7- early teen, who have some music reading experience. Rehearsals are held on Sundays, following the Service of Worship, from 11:45- 12:30p.m. Members of our Adult Handbell Choir are available each week to give new ringers hands-on help in reading the music and handling the assigned bells. Because of the nature of a handbell choir, ringers are expected to attend rehearsals as regularly as possible. New members are always welcome! 
Sanctuary Band is an ad hoc group of musicians including djembe, flute, guitar and piano, who play at our "less formal" Services of Worship.  The Sunday Strings + Flute This ad hoc ensemble of string players (5 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello) with flute which offers an opportunity for orchestral players in our congregation to use their musical talents in our worship practises. It meets for one rehearsal during the week prior to the Sunday Worship. New members with a reasonable degree of playing ability are welcome. St. John's United Church Scholarship for the Performing Arts- Several years ago a fund was established to honor Ray Grant and his contribution to music in the Church and to the community at large. To date this fund totals approximately $3,600 and will be used to grant scholarships to studies in the Performing Arts. A committee has been established to oversee the review and selection of applications for scholarships. The scholarship is usually $400.00. Applications and guidelines for a scholarship from The St. John’s Scholarship For The Performing Arts are available from the Church Office and must be returned not later than July 31st for possible award in mid September. The scholarship application will be open to members of St. John’s Church or resident children of parents/ grandparents who are members or adherents. A Sunday in the early fall is planned to announce the award and to solicit additional contributions to the Fund. |
||
| |
||
Two
traits that are assets in bell ringing are the abilities
to read the rhythmic component of music notation, and to have fun.
Bell choir members share a strong sense of camaraderie and accomplishment
after working on complicated pieces, particularly in light of the
fact that the individual notes must fit smoothly together despite
being played by several players.