Music at United Church

Mary Beth at the organ 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 have ideas or music you would like to offer, you may speak with Mary Beth Petersen, Music Coordinator and Organist.

Chancel Choir

Jenny Anderson, director
Contact: jennyandalex@yahoo.com

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 pm on Wednesdays in the music room and meets for a warmup 45 minutes before the Sunday service.

United Voices of Praise Gospel Choir

Charles Bradshaw, director
Contact: WilliamSiddall@gmail.com

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 piuctures, see the UVoP web page.

Chancel Bell Choir

Bob Lawton, director
Contact: bjlawton515@nc.rr.com

The Chancel Bell Choir is open to all adults, especially those with music-reading ability. This choir rehearses Mondays at 7:30PM in the Music Room. The Chancel Bell Choir is scheduled to participate on the fourth Sundays of each month during the 8:45AM and 11AM services and on special occasions.

Bronze Voices Handbell Choir

Bob Lawton, director
Contact: bjlawton515@nc.rr.com

This advanced level for highly experienced handbell ringers is an expansion out of the Chancel Handbells in order to accommodate a growing church and a growing handbell program. This group was organized September 2006 and rehearses in the music room Mondays, 6:00-7:30PM. They are on call for the fourth Sunday of the month and will have an ambitious schedule of appearances through the Triangle area as well as at regional AGEHR handbell festivals.

Children's Choir

Paige Barnett, volunteer director
Contact: pbarnett2@nc.rr.com

The Children's Choir 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, provide instrumental accompaniment.

Youth Music and Drama Program

Jeff Crawford, director
Contact: jgcrawdad@hotmail.com

A Youth Music and Drama production The Youth Music and Drama Program serves children and youth in grades 6-12, and is open to all youth in this age group. They meet on Sunday mornings at 8:45 am in the Senior High School room downstairs. This group's activities include participating in some worship services, going on retreats, and taking field trips. This group presents a major drama/musical in the spring.

Taizé Service

Every fourth Sunday at 5:00PM we offer a special Taizé prayer service. A Taizé service features communal signing, prayer, and silent meditation. The service lasts about 45 minutes. For more information, see our Taizé page.

Joyful Noise Handbells

Bob Lawton, director
Contact: bjlawton515@nc.rr.com

This handbell choir is open to all young people, grades 4-8. They rehearse each Sunday 6:15-7:15PM and play at various times each year in church.

United Church Brass Ensemble

Bob Lawton, director
Contact: bjlawton515@nc.rr.com

The United Church Brass Ensemble This is an adult group that participates in worship services as a quartet, quintet, etc., up to a nine-piece ensemble. This group plays in Church an average of one Sunday per month, at both services, and also plays on various special occasions such as Palm Sunday, Easter and Christmas Eve.

They are much in demand by various community organizations outside the church throughout the year and rehearse on Sunday evenings, alternating with the Ambassadors at 7:30PM

United Church Chamber Singers

Milo Fryling, director
Contact: rmann1@nc.rr.com

The Chamber Singers - Photo by Sonia Katchian 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

Bob Lawton, director
Contact: bjlawton515@nc.rr.com

The UCCH Ambassadors is a jazz band of fifteen 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 Sunday evenings, alternating with the brass ensemble at 7:30PM.