Chancel Choir Helpful Info

Why not consider becoming a part of our choir? It could be fulfilling to you in building your faith, developing close friendships, and using and expanding your musical talents. We look forward to getting to know you.

There are a few things it will help you to know right away so that you will be immediately comfortable with the choir and its procedures. Read these over before Sunday and please let someone know if you have any questions.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are every Wednesday, 7:15-9:00 p.m. in the choir room. We work on 6 to 8 weeks worth of music each week plus portions of the upcoming major work. Thus, it is to everyone's benefit to be here as often as possible, even if they will not be here on the upcoming Sunday.

Child care is available in the education wing.

On your first Wednesday, fill out an information sheet (a choir officer will give it to you), complete and wear a temporary name tag (located on the board at the back of the choir room) and check with librarians Paul Dean or Billene Andrews to get a music folder. There are also membership directories available. Please take one.

Music Folders

Each member is assigned a 3-part music slot in the shelves at the back of the choir room. The folder numbers are above the slots. You should have a brown rehearsal folder, a black performance folder with bands to hold the anthem and clear pockets for the bulletin, and a hymnal. The slots are designed specifically for the items to go in this order:

brown folder/ black folder/ hymnal

Upon first arrival, check with the librarians to find out which folder # to use (a permanent one will be assigned later) and pick up the brown folder and any loose music in that slot. Put the music in the order listed on the chalkboard, and check the back table for any titles not in the slot. Sometimes sharing music is unavoidable.

Sunday Mornings

All new members are encouraged to sing the first Sunday after joining - just jump right in!

The procedure for Sunday morning is as follows:

10:30 a.m. - Arrive at choir room, get music organized and put robe on. Bulletins and extra music are on the back table. It is preferred that choir members in Sunday School leave their class at 10:30; however, if that is not comfortable please come as soon as class is dismissed.

10:40 a.m. - Warm up begins

10:55 a.m. - Line up for processional

11:00 a.m. - Worship service begins

After church, please hang up the robes and take that week's music out of the folder and put it on the back table.

Robes

Your section leader will help you find a robe that fits. Upon selection the robe will be stored in the brown closet in numerical order.

Processional and Recessional

A designated choir member assigns seats and orders the processional into the service each week. They will tell each person who to follow. The processional is generally during the first hymn. The choir walks down the aisle in pairs during the introduction or on cue, and stops at the first pew. The first verse is sung in the aisle standing in place to help lead the congregation. When the second verse starts, begin walking to the choir loft while continuing to sing. It is important to sing assertively! Everyone is to sing unison on the melody while processing, once arriving in the loft sing in parts until the final verse. Walk slowly and carry yourself in a stately manner.

The recessional occurs during the closing organ voluntary. The choir splits in the middle, pairs up at the aisle, and goes out in pairs up the side aisles.

During the Service

The middle and last hymn and communion hymns should all be sung in the following manner unless otherwise announced:

Verse 1 - unison on the melody

Interior verses - parts

Final verse - unison on melody

The Doxologies #94 and #95 should be sung in parts as indicated in the hymnal. Use the music until the part is memorized.

The benediction response changes each week and is listed on the board on Sunday mornings. The "Blue Book" is a collection of service music that we sing from occasionally. They are kept on top of the folder racks and since there are not enough copies for everyone, please turn it in after each use.

Please let your section leader know if you have to miss choir for an extended length of time.