MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD.
MUSIC MINISTRIES
Music is a vital expression of praise and prayer to God, and therefore an integral component of our worship. Whether you choose to join our Music Ministry Team, sing or ring with one of our choirs, or prefer to listen from the congregation, each week we offer music that is diverse and designed to inspire, from classical music to jazz, from contemporary Christian songs to traditional hymns and anthems, accompanied by organ and/or our Steinway piano. We also enjoy and encourage music played by instrumentalists within our congregation, as well as music played by professionals on special occasions and from time to time in weekly worship.
Our Choirs
Each of our choirs is comprised solely of volunteers, and there are no auditions. All that is required is a willing heart and a desire to make music to the glory of God. Our choirs are open to you whether you read music or not, whether you last sang or played in high school thirty years ago, or have never joined a choir or band but long to experience the fellowship and exhilaration of being in a musical ensemble. There is a place for you in the Music Ministry at UCC Norwell.
Contact Karen Harvey for more information or to join.
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Sanctuary Choir
Open to high school-aged youth through adults, this 50-member volunteer ensemble provides a wide variety of inspiring choral music for our worship services. More than merely a musical group, the Sanctuary Choir is perhaps the most enduring ministry team in the church, sharing common bonds of friendship, fun, and love of singing while uniting in the call to praise and pray to God through music. Open to high school youth and older. No experience or music ability is necessary.
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Cherub Chimes
Designed to teach our youngest musicians (Grades K-3) the basics of reading music while using our Malmark chimes, it is hoped that these children will go on to play with the Rockin’ Ringers and eventually graduate to the Celestial Ringers. Like all other choirs, the Cherubs participate in Music Appreciation Sunday and the annual Christmas Celebration Concerts, and occasionally play during worship.
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Celestial Ringers
Our adult handbell choir utilizes four octaves of Schulmerich handbells, supplemented at times by a three-octave set of Malmark chimes. Like all other choirs at UCC Norwell, this is a volunteer, non-auditioned group of people of various skill levels. In addition to the Christmas Celebration Concerts each year, the Celestial Ringers play during worship, and are featured in our Easter services and on Music Appreciation Sunday.
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Rockin' Ringers
Our youth handbell choir is open to young people in Grades 4 through 8. The Rockin’ Ringers learn to play on Schulmerich handbells and this group loves to play in worship as often as possible. Rehearsals include rhythm and music-reading exercises as well as practicing repertoire for worship.
ADDITIONAL MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Memory Lane Singers
Created and organized by UCC Norwell member Kay Spurr, the volunteer members of the Memory Lane Singers visit local nursing homes, delighting residents with their hymns, seasonal favorites and “oldies but goodies!” There are no rehearsals and no singing experience is necessary. Singers are encouraged to participate when their schedules allow. Singing is good for your soul! Bring a friend! Listen to a recent feature here.
Summer "Pick-Up Choir"
During the summer, our Sanctuary Choir takes a break, and various instrumentalists, soloists, and small groups take their place. In addition, we have “Pick-Up Choir” Sundays when anyone is welcome to come to rehearsal at 8:00am and then sing for our 9:00am service. No prior choir experience is necessary; the music is accessible and the choir is “user-friendly.”
Christmas Celebration Concerts
The UCC Norwell Annual Christmas Celebration Concerts are a wonderful tradition enjoyed by the entire community. Joined by instrumentalists on trumpet, string bass, piano, and organ, concerts featured all the church’s ensembles including our children’s chime choir, youth handbell choir, the Celestial Ringers, and our adult concert choir.
ABOUT KAREN HARVEY
Since she joined the staff at UCC Norwell in 1994, Karen has grown the Music Ministry from one choir to four, including the Sanctuary Choir, Cherub Chimes, Celestial Ringers, Rockin' Ringers and Summer Pick-Up Choir. She also created Musical Meditations, 30-minute programs of seasonal keyboard music every Wednesday during Advent and Lent.. Over the years, Karen has composed numerous pieces for the church, many of which have been premiered and used by the ensembles at UCC Norwell; several have been published and many others are currently under consideration.
An accomplished pianist with two piano performance degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, Karen is a two-time recipient of fellowships to the Tanglewood Music Center, has been a featured soloist with many local orchestras, and served as pianist for the Boston Pops Holiday Chorus, the Boston University Opera Institute, and the Boston Ballet Company. Since 1999 she has been an Affiliate Artist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, serving as pianist and assistant conductor of the Chamber Choir.
Karen passionately believes that inspirational music can, and often does, transport us to another realm. Working with amateur musicians and choirs to create such music for worship is her life's ministry.
Contact Karen Harvey or call 781.659.2887 ext.16 if you have questions or are interested in joining any of the music groups.
