Ensembles
We offer opportunities in which you and your family may participate or experience our diverse music program including choirs and guest musicians.
Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir is comprised of members from the congregation
who share their musical gifts on a weekly basis from September through June.
The choir rehearses Thursday nights from 7:30-9:00, and sings at the 9:00
service every Sunday, as well as the 11:00 service once a month. The choir
performs music ranging from medieval chant to contemporary choral music.
They often perform with Gaudete Brass, the in-residence brass quintet, the
Bell Choir, and other guest instrumentalists. Every Christmas Eve they
participate in the Service of Lessons and Carols, and once or twice a year
they sing an extended choral work with orchestra.
Bell Choir
The Bell Choir is an ensemble that plays for Sunday worship seven
or eight times per year, and rehearses on Thursdays from 6:00-7:00. The
choir utilizes a three-octave set of hand bells made by Schulmerich. During
rehearsals members learn how to read music, play with proper bell technique,
and ring with expression. The choir often performs on Christmas Eve for the
Service of Lessons and Carols and during Holy Week. They also perform
occasionally with the Sanctuary Choir and Children’s Choir.
Children’s Choir
The Children’s Choir was formed in 2006 in order to provide
children the opportunity to learn proper singing technique, musicianship
skills, ensemble etiquette, and the role that music plays in worship. The
choir is open to children ages 6-12 and meets Sunday mornings from
10:15-10:45. The choir sings about four or five times per year and
participates in the annual Messiah “Sing-Along,” as well as the Service of
Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve. Throughout the year the children have
the opportunity to sing with a variety of instruments, and learn to
accompany themselves on Orff instruments.
Gaudete Brass –
Ensemble-in-Residence
The
Gaudete Brass Quintet is the realization of a passion for brass chamber
playing and a desire to perform music in a way that excites and engages
audiences. They are a group of professional musicians who have formed the
quintet, with members of the group living in both Chicago and Milwaukee,
splitting rehearsal time in those cities, and performing across the entire
region. They have toured around the country, recently visiting Ohio,
Tennessee, and Georgia. They also perform educational clinics to encourage
younger musicians to find creative expressions in chamber music. In addition
to playing for Sunday services throughout the year, Gaudete plays several
concerts a year at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington.