Music is a gift from God, and all of us offer our music to God in thanksgiving and praise. Music speaks to the soul and uplifts the spirit. It deepens our worship experience and helps us express ours thanks, joy and praise.

United Church of Chapel Hill recognizes that its community of worshipers and friends brings a rich variety of talents and experiences, and it seeks to provide as many opportunities as possible for adults and children of all ages to express their faith with music.

Members and friends of United Church find expression in large and small vocal groups and as soloists, and on instruments as diverse as Orff percussion, handbells, strings, brass, woodwinds, organ, piano and pennywhistle. And, if you have an idea for music making that lies beyond the scope of existing groups, we'll help you start a new one!

If you would like to participate in any of the musical groups or have ideas or music you would like to offer, please email janderson@unitedchurch.org.

Chancel Choir

Listen to a sample:

Jenny Anderson, director
Chancel Choir rehearsal and performance calendar

 The Chancel Choir leads the music in worship, usually at one service every Sunday, during the school year.

The Chancel Choir also sings for several special services in the church year and at least once a year performs a major work with orchestra. Its repertoire encompasses a wide variety of literature, including classic choral pieces from the 16th to the 20th centuries, spirituals, early American music, and traditional music from many cultures.

Membership in the Chancel Choir is open to anyone in the congregation of high school age or older; the only requirements are a love of singing and a willingness to commit the necessary time. The choir rehearses from 7:30 to 9:15 pm on Wednesdays in the music room and meets for a warmup before the Sunday service.

United Voices of Praise Gospel Choir

Listen to a sample:

Charles Bradshaw, director
UVoP rehearsal and performance calendar

United Voices of Praise is a Gospel Choir whose members worship regularly in several Durham and Chapel Hill congregations, principally United Church of Chapel Hill and Fisher Memorial United Holy Church in Durham. The choir provides a rare opportunity to sing traditional African American gospel music and develop friendships. Ability to read music is not required. New members are welcome at any time.

The choir rehearses once or twice a month on Thursday evenings at 7PM. Rehearsal locations alternate between United Church and Fisher Memorial United Holy Church in Durham. United Voices of Praise sings regularly at the 8:45 service at United Church on the third Sunday of the month and at the 11:00 service at Fisher Memorial on the first Sunday. The choir also sings at events in the community.

For more information and pictures, see the UVoP web page.

Chancel Bell Choir

Listen to a sample:

Jenny Anderson, Director

Chancel Bells rehearsal and performance calendar

The Chancel Bell Choir is open to all teens and adults interested in learning the art of ringing handbells.  Music reading skills are helpful, but not required and no prior ringing experience is required. This choir rehearses Tuesdays 6:00-7:30PM in the Music Room. The Chancel Bell Choir is scheduled to participate in worship about once a month and at some special services throughout the year. 

Bronze Voices Handbell Choir

Listen to a sample:

Dan Harder, director
Bronze Voices rehearsal and performance calendar

This advanced level group is for experienced handbell ringers who wish to sink their teeth into some challenging repertoire. This group rehearses in the music room Mondays, 6:00-7:30PM and participates in the music in both services one Sunday every ohter month, alternating with The Chancle Handbells. They also appear in special events in the church and give concerts in the community. Each year they attend a Triangle area handbell festival, such as the Capeital Area Handbell Festival.

Children's Choir

Listen to a sample:

Paige Barnett, volunteer director
Rehearsal and performance calendar

The Children’s Choir is open to all children in grades 1-5. Younger children may participate if they can manage the hour rehearsal. The emphasis is on vocal music of various styles with the incorporation of Orff tonal and rhythm instruments.

Rehearsals are held in the music room following the children’s message at the 8:45AM service. Children are escorted from the service to the music room and are dismissed at about 9:55AM to proceed to their Sunday School classes. Regular attendance is encouraged but new selections are introduced regularly so, if your schedule is tight, come when it is possible! Copies of the year’s rehearsal schedule are posted at the bulletin board next to the music room (west end, top floor).

The Children’s Choir sings provides worship music for the 8:45AM service once a month, occasionally singing at both morning services. Adult Volunteers are always welcome! Adults act as sectional support and provide instrumental accompaniment.

United Church Brass Ensemble

Listen to a sample:

Jenny Anderson, Coordinator

 The Brass Ensemble is open to adults and high school students who want to play chamber music in church.  The ensemble plays an average of one Sunday per month and also contributse to special events and occasions.  The group rehearses every other week, usually on a Sunday afternoon.  Whether you are an accomplished player or want an opportunity to brush up your skills, you are welcome to participate.

 United Church Chamber Singers

Listen to a sample:

Milo Fryling, Volunteer Director
Chamber Singers rehearsal and performance calendar

The Chamber Singers is a small ensemble of singers whose goal is to provide music to enhance the worship experience for members of the congregation at United Church. The a cappella group sings a repertoire ranging from 16th century polyphony to contemporary pieces. The Chamber Singers, organized in the spring of 2004, sing about once a month in Sunday services and for such special services as Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday. Membership is by audition.

UCCH Ambassadors

Larry Triplett, Volunteer Director

The UCCH Ambassadors is a swing band of twenty members, including some UCCH members as well as other musicians from the community. This group provides entertainment in the "big band" style for several church social functions as well as outside community group invitations. They rehearse every other week on Sunday afternoons, alternating with the brass ensemble, from 2:30-4:00.

Youth Choir

Jenny Anderson, Director
Youth rehearsal and performance calendar

The Youth Choir welcomes all middle and high schoolers to participate in the music program at United Church! The rehearsals take place on Sunday evenings during Youth Group tiem: The Middle School Choir from 6:30-7:30 and the Senior High Choir from 5:00 to 6:00. Dinner is available from 6:00 to 6:30 for those involved in the Sunday evening youth group meetings as well. Besides singing there will be opportunities for youth choir members to offer instrumental accompaniment with the group. In the past we've had guitar, saxophone, trumpet and flute, and we're always looking to provide a place for youth to share their special skills and talkents. The Youth Choir provides leadership of music in Sunday worship 2 to 3 times per semester. 

Other music groups open to youth are Chancel Handbells, UCCH Brass Ensemble, and UCCH Ambassadors Jazz Band.

For worship music schedule, click here.