Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir is a group of diverse adult singers. This dedicated choir rehearses each Wednesday night and leads the music for the 8:15 and 11:00 services each Sunday. Rehearsals are fun, fast-paced and productive. The choir started with 5 members rehearsing in a living room in late July of 1995,and has continued to grow to include over 140 members. The friendships that have been created, the prayers lifted up at the end of rehearsal for praises and concerns, and the bonding following successful projects has brought this group together in a special way.

Composers range from John Rutter, Jane Marshall and G.F. Handel to Mark Hayes and Tom Fettke. Songs include traditional hymns like “For the Beauty of the Earth,” “O Be Joyful in the Lord” and more contemporary pieces such as “Midnight Cry” and "Giving My Best” by Carol Cymbala. Traditional to classical, contemporary to spirituals the choir strives to provide a variety of musical styles so that those who hear them might experience God through song.

In addition, the CUMC Sanctuary Choir hosts annual clinics with renowned composers and clinicians; such as, Joseph Martin, Mark Hayes, David Schwoebel and John Leavitt. They often sing for neighboring church services and lead revivals. The choir has performed concerts at the Meyerson Concert Hall in Dallas, at Carnegie Hall and with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. Their Christmas Cantata each year welcomes both church and community members.

Youth Choir

Prime Time Youth Choir is now practicing on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Christ UMC’s Youth Choir and the small ensemble of Crosswind are two outlets for youth to be involved in the music ministry of CUMC. Get ready for a fast-paced hour of practice and fellowship. A number of instruments accompany this group each week. We cover a variety of styles from contemporary composers to modern arrangements of more established songs. There are also many solo opportunities. We include choir tours, camps, field trips and an increased emphasis on music education. These choirs consist of 7th through 12th graders.

Children's Choir

All children’s choirs rehearse 4:10 - 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Sanctuary Building. We offer pick-up services to College Station elementary schools and provide a snack and structured activities for those children prior to rehearsal time.

SonShine Choir is our children's choir for age 4 through kindergarten. They learn about the Bible through songs, games and crafts. The children sing in worship services several times throughout the year. Director: Ileen McCullar

Kids of the Kingdom is for children in 1st, 2nd or 3rd grades. They meet on Wednesday afternoons and learn basic vocal skills as they sing. They incorporate hand signing, movement and rhythm instruments with their songs. In addition to singing for worship, they participate in a children's musical each year and sing for holidays and special events.

Spirit Song is for 4th, 5th and 6th graders. They experience a fast-paced rehearsal. Solos are encouraged and vocal skills are stressed. In addition to the songs they sing during Sunday worship, holidays and special events, they are introduced to hymns and choruses that are used regularly in church worship. They present a musical each year and are strongly encouraged to attend the summer Texas Conference Choir Camp in Palestine, Texas. Director: James Faith

Handbells

Canticle Bells
(Directed by James Faith)
The Canticle Bells are Christ UMC's advanced adult handbell choir, covering five octaves. All of our members are advanced music readers and have several years of bell ringing experience. They play regularly in worship and throughout the community for holiday programs and special events.

Started in 1999, the Canticle Bells have made a name for themselves. They have represented CUMC at the following events in just the past few years:
*George Bush Presidential Library Christmas Program
*Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, St. Joseph Health Center
*Texas Annual Conference, First UMC, Houston
*City of Bryan 150th Anniversary Christmas Party
*Old-Fashioned Christmas - Downtown Bryan
*Christmas in the Park, City of College Station - Central Park
*A Holiday Festival, Rudder Auditorium, Texas A&M University, featured guests along with The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Brazos Valley Chorale

Kyriokos Handbells
(Directed by Polli Satterwhite)
The Kyriokos group is a three to five octave intermediate adult handbell choir. Some experience in ringing is preferred, but not required. The group shares in worship and has performed at St. Joseph's Hospital and Bush Library. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Child care provided

Genesis Handbells
(Directed by Polli Satterwhite)
The Genesis group is a beginner's adult handbell choir - no experience necessary! We learn basic music reading and bell ringing skills. The group contributes occasionally in Sunday morning worship services. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings. Child care provided upon request.

Ringers for Christ
(Directed by James Faith)
Our children's handbell group meets on Wednesday afternoons at 5:00. It is made up of 4th - 6th graders. They learn the techniques of both hand chimes and handbells while learning the basics of reading music. This group of young musicians has performed during the morning worship services at Christ UMC and participats each year at the St. Joseph's tree lighting ceremony at Christmas.

Gloryringers and Chimettes
(Directed by Ileen McCullar)
These two groups are the newest additions to our handbell ministry. The Glory Ringers are children in 3rd - 6th grades who are just beginning their study of handbells and handchimes. This group moves quickly through basic music reading and beginning chime/bell. The Chimettes are children in 1st - 6th grades who are learning music fundamentals such as reading notes and rhythms, and beginning chime techniques. Their rehearsals include games, singing, and chime playing. They meet each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

The Festival Orchestra

(Directed by Jennifer Day, jenniferdaycs@aol.com)
This group is comprised of a variety of instruments ranging from strings to woodwinds, brass to percussion. The group often accompanies the Sanctuary Choir or Handbells on special arrangements and plays about once a month. Each year, the orchestra plays on special occasions and events special to the life of Christ UMC. Most notable of special projects is the annual Christmas Musical, which has over 200 participants from the music ministry. Most importantly, there is no age limit. If you played an instrument in high school or if you simply play now and then, you are welcome to join. This ensemble, like all of our musical groups, is very young. The orchestra needs instrumentalists (especially adults) with at least one year of experience to play one Sunday a month during the 8:15 and 11:00 services. We rehearse once or twice a month from 6:15 -7:00 on Wednesday nights.

Ensembles

Christ UMC currently has four established ensembles that regularly share their gifts of music in worship. There is room for you in some of the groups listed below and the possibility of forming new groups is always open!

Gloryland-This sixteen to twenty member ensemble, directed by James Faith, is a group that has a real flair for gospel music. They have several of the gospel standards in their repertoire and can be heard and enjoyed in worship. If you have a passion for gospel and having fun singing, contact James Faith, 690-4673 to see how you can be a part of this group.

Jublilate-This fourteen member, auditioned group offers a wide variety of literature and musical styles ranging from compositions by traditional composers to modern spirituals. This group is committed to effective communication of the message in music through intense preparation. Jubilate’s signature sound is grounded in its tight harmony, the result of dedication to the art of music, and faith in each other. We strive to let excellence meet faith in all we do, and all for the Glory of God. Jubilate is directed by Mike Wright, Associate Director of Choral Music.

Voices Four-Voices Four is the latest edition to the Christ UMC ensemble family. This men’s quartet has enjoyed sharing music in worship here at Christ UMC as well as making appearances in the community and beyond.

Trinity-this women’s trio, directed by Madalyn Frederick enjoys working up a variety of gospel pieces to share with those worshipping at Christ UMC.

Christ UMC - A Church in Mission
Participating in Missions and Outreach through the Music Ministries

The Music Ministry of CUMC is very mission minded. We focus on touching lives beyond the walls here at CUMC. Each member strives to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ out into our community and to the world by reaching out to those who need to hear the Good News. The Sanctuary Choir sings for numerous revivals throughout the year, they also tour frequently to places like New York, Dallas and Washington DC. The Youth Choir takes a tour is summer to bring music to people in nursing homes, hospitals and other churches. Our children host a Fine Arts Camp during the summer and invite children from all over our community to participate. The Music Ministry provides scholarship for college students majoring in music and for college students with any major as long as they are active in a choir. These are just a few of the ways we enjoy reaching out.

For more information on the Music Ministries of Christ UMC contact

James Faith
Director of Music and Worship
jamesfaith@christ-umc.org

Mike Wright
Associate Director of Music and Worship
wright@kbtx.com

Ileen McCullar
Administrative Assistant Music and Worship
illeenmccullar@christ-umc.org