The Chancel Choir is the keystone of our church’s music ministry. The 70+ voice adult choir sings weekly for the 9:45 and 11:00 AM worship services and also participates in special concerts throughout the year. The requirements for membership are enthusiasm, energy, and effort;  no audition is required. We work together to develop a collective sense of community — musically and spiritually — that enables us to share God’s love through music with one another and with our congregation.

The choir has commissioned and debuted works by nationally acclaimed composers, including René Clausen, Dan Forrest, Raymond Liebau, Jeremy Bankson, and Stephen Paulus.

In addition to our regular Sunday services, our Chancel Choir has led worship at Duke Chapel, Wesley Chapel (London), and Evensong at Bristol Cathedral (UK). Making their European debut in the summer of 2013, followed by a second tour in 2015, the Chancel Choir presented full concerts at Christ Church (Oxford), Bristol Cathedral, and Bath Abbey in the United Kingdom, Salzburg Cathedral and St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna) in Austria, and St. Giles Church (Nymburk) and The Church of the Holy Savior (Prague) in the Czech Republic.  In 2016, the choir performed Haydn’s Creation, which included the commissioning of seven new pieces of art, representing the seven days of creation, in support of UMAR, a United Methodist organization which works with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.  In 2017, the choir mounted a production of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man:  A Mass of Peace, with chamber orchestra and lighting effects, which they took on the road to The Riverside Church of the City of New York.  The choir has also been an active participant in local recitals sponsored by the American Guild of Organists. Other musical offerings include our annual Christmas Concerts and providing special music for high holy day services.

The choir is planning a tour to Scotland in May 2019, with concerts scheduled in Iona Abbey and St. Giles Cathedral in Edinbourgh.

The Women’s Choir offers its members an opportunity to experience sacred music of varying styles while enjoying a group rich in fellowship and joy. Open to women of all ages, this choir provides monthly music leadership in worship services and performs concerts at various venues throughout our community and North Carolina, as well as our annual Christmas Concert with the Charlotte Symphony.

The choir was formed by Walter Ball in 1994 as a choir for the UMW banquet. Later that year, Doris Edwards and Cissy Shull agreed to serve as director and accompanist. As it grew the choir continued to provide leadership in worship and music for UMW events and other groups. In 2010, Doris and Cissy were honored with a commission of an anthem, “The Hands That First Held Jesus”, by Dan Forrest, as they retired from the leadership of the ensemble. Jimmy Jones, Director of Music, assumed the role of director at that time.

In addition to “The Hands That First Held Jesus”, the choir also commissioned Dan Forrest to compose “Arise, My Soul, Arise.” Both of these commissions have proven to be best sellers and have earned a permanent place in church and collegiate music.

The Women’s Choir maintains an active social calendar, with weekly lunches every Monday after rehearsal, and an annual Christmas Party in early December. The choir has also performed in concert at Aldersgate, at the annual memorial service in Ramseur, NC, and at the UMW Spiritual Retreat at Lake Junaluska.

Chamber Singers is an auditioned, small vocal ensemble which performs in worship services, church events, and at selected events in the community. Additional voices may be invited to participate on musical works that merit a larger group or if substitutions are required. To be considered for the group, you must continue active involvement in the Chancel Choir, have great sight singing abilities, possess a competent understanding of foreign languages, and be able to function well in a collaborative environment. Prior vocal training, participation in a professional-type, auditioned choral ensemble, or equivalent experience is required. Auditions are scheduled at the beginning of the season upon request to the Director of Music.

In addition to singing in our regular Sunday services, the Chamber Singers has led worship at Duke Chapel and Evensong at Bristol Cathedral (UK). The ensemble has also been an active participant in local recitals sponsored by the American Guild of Organists. Other musical offerings include our annual Christmas Concerts and providing special music for high holy day services.