Music Ministry

Chancel Choir

 

 

The Chancel Choir is the most visible choir in the music ministry, offering an anthem almost every week at the 10:45 service. The choir is open to all adults who have a love of music and willingness to serve, and is also open to senior high youth by audition. The choir sings a varied repertoire of traditional music. On a given Sunday, one can expect to hear anything from a Mozart motet to a William Dawson spiritual. In addition to weekly worship, the choir participates in special services and community events throughout the year. Women's Choir is an occasional extension of the Chancel Choir. All choirs at FUMC participate in the annual Festival of Christmas Music, held in mid-December. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:15.  

Heritage Ringers

 

Handbell choirs regularly ring in worship during the school year, adding a unique and inspiring component to our worship services. The Heritage Ringers is the flagship choir in the handbell program, and is open to adults with either previous ringing experience or by audition. The choir has performed in various festivals, competitions, and community events in both Gainesville and the greater DFW area. For those adults who lack ringing experience or wish to practice techniques, a handbell class is available on Sunday  afternoons at 1:30. FUMC owns four and a half octaves of Schulmerich handbells and three octaves of hand chimes. The Heritage Ringers rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 6:10 in the sanctuary.

Youth Choirs

 

We have two youth choirs at our church: Ring of Fire (bells) and Revelation (vocal), both of which lead worship on select Sundays during the school year. The youth choirs are open to both junior high and senior high students. In addition to the music learned in the choirs, this experience offers a time for fellowship between the two age groups. Ring of Fire rehearses Sunday afternoons at 4:00 in the sanctuary, and Revelation rehearses immediately after at 4:30 in the choir room.

Children's Choirs

 

Our children’s choirs are an extension of the Children on Wednesday (“COW”) program. Information about that program is readily available through the church office. In the children’s choir program, young people are given the opportunity to sing and ring in several worship services during the school year. Preschoolers begin learning to ring and sing through the Cherub Bells.  Children in Sonshine Choir (grades K-2) learn the basics of both vocal and instrumental music. Children in Disciple Choir (grades 3-5) focus on anthem singing, hymnody, worship leadership, and hand chimes. Additionally, a week-long Music Camp is held during the month of July for children ages 8-12, culminating in the performance of a musical on the last day. Recent musicals have captured the imagination of our children by taking them on a cruise, to court, on a mountain hike, to the baseball field, and even on a game show! Registration begins early in the spring, so be sure to watch for information as it becomes available.   

Concert Series