Music at Church of the Good Shepherd
Winter-Spring 2007
As of September 2007, we have choirs and handbell groups for both children and adults, and a handbell group for adults.
(We also have a marvelous Hook and Hastings pipe organ.
To learn more about it, click here.)
For Children
Discovery Choir (pre-K - grade 1)
Junior Choir (grades 2-8, unchanged voices)
Junior Bell Choir (grades 3-8)
For Adults (high school and above):
Hymn Choir
Anthem Choir
Senior Bell Choir
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Discovery Choir: Grades preK-1
This is a place to discover what music is all about. Children in this group sing, march, listen, and play instruments, but they do not "rehearse" for events— it's all about exploration, based on the Kodály method of music teaching. First meeting: 9/11/07.
Junior Bell Choir: Grades 3-8
This is a fun group for active children who can focus well. We play in church 5-6 times a year, and practice reading music, rhythm, coordination, and teamwork. First rehearsal: 9/19/07, 5:00-5:45.
Junior Choir: Grades 2-8
The Girls' Choir and the Boys' Choir are both open to all people in grades 2-8 who can read most words in the hymnal easily (boys with unchanged voices only).
In their rehearsals and services, choristers learn:
Reading music
Using the hymnal
Singing in tune
Leading the service
Teamwork
REHEARSALS: Wednesday afternoons, 4:00-4:45, beginning 9/12/07.
SERVICES: The choristers sing on "multigenerational" Sundays,
leading the 9:00 and 10:30 services alternately.
They also lead the family services on Christmas Eve
and Easter.
Hymn Choir: High School and above
The Hymn Choir leads the singing at the 9:00 AM service. If you love singing hymns, this is the group for you! Both beginners and more experienced singers are welcome. We strive to sing the hymns confidently and clearly, so that the congregation is comfortable in song.
Besides learning the hymns fast—we only have half an hour!—we work on blending, phrasing, and diction. Join us any Sunday morning throughout the year; we meet at 8:30 AM in the library.
Anthem Choir: High School and above
The Anthem Choir leads the singing at the 10:30 AM service, sings an anthem every Sunday, and sings at special services such as Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, and the Easter Vigil. We strive to support the congregational singing well, and to make our own offering of choral music.
We work on harmony, blend, and diction, and we typically sing anthems in four- to six-part harmony. Join us for rehearsal on Wednesday nights from 7:15 to 9:00, and on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 10:25. Note: Our first two rehearsals for 2007 will be on Thursdays, 9/6 and 9/13.
Senior Handbell Choir: High school and above
The Senior Handbell Choir is a fun, low-stress way to make music in church, and it can be a great family activity, too. You don't need to know how to read music—if you can count to four and reliably tell your right hand from your left, we'll teach you everything else! We play in church 5-6 times a year. Let go of some of the stress in your life and do something completely different for an hour a week!
REHEARSALS: Monday evenings, 7:15-8:15, beginning 9/10/07.