Choral Programs Adult Choirs Our adult choirs provide a wonderful opportunity for all people of varying ages and abilties to praise the Lord and experience friendship and fellowship with one another. For more information about any of our choral programs, contact Director of Music Ministries Jon Stuber. The Chancel Choir, nearly 40 members strong, is a diverse mixture of professional and amateur singers with a wide background of experience and training. The choir sings a variety of choral music in worship and usually presents one or two major works per year. Past works have included Louis Vierne's Messe Solonnelle; John Rutter's Gloria; Charles-Marie Widor's Mass, Op. 36; Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols and Rejoice in the Lamb; Joseph Jongen's Mass, Op. 130, and Josef Rheinberger's Mass in F Minor, Op. 159. The choir has also participated in community concerts and events, which have included singing Franz Josef Haydn's Messe In Tempore Belli with the First United Methodist choir and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah oratorio with FUMC and the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and joining other singers in a citywide ecumenical choir which performed at the Oregon Holocaust Memorial dedication service. In 2005, the choir sang at the Blessing of the Rose Festival service at FPC. The Chancel Choir sings during worship every Sunday and rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 9:30 pm and on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the Choir Room (200). The Chamber Choir is a smaller group of singers auditioned from within the Chancel Choir. Performing more technically demanding literature, this choir sings during worship as needed, rehearsing in individual members' homes. The Chamber Choir typically holds a formal recital as part of the annual Celebration Works series of music performances and art exhibits. Other choral groups are sometimes formed for special occasions. Jon and the choirs believe that music is a gift from God. Each singer brings his or her own experience and gifts to the group to work together for the glory of God. Jon says, "Church music allows the musician to return that gift to God through hard work, dedication and concentrated effort. Music is prayer. Music takes work. Music is a physical as well as a mental art and requires the artist to use all of their being to relate ideas, concepts. When the church musicians pull all of these efforts together, it is a powerful, exciting and rewarding act of worship." Jon has high goals for the choirs he leads. He wants them to "constantly improve their sound as a choir, to become better readers, intelligent musicians and authentic interpreters of the music and text." Even more important than the technical aspect of music is the worship aspect. He says, "We always glorify our Creator in our efforts. We strive to communicate and help those that worship in this space to experience the beauty of holiness." For Jon and for the choirs, music is a transcendental worship medium: "When all the technical aspects of producing beautiful sounds are set in place, then the choir is able to move beyond the notes and communicate through emotion in music. This is always a joy." Chancel Choir section leaders Anita Lundgren Soprano Kristen Buhler Alto Daniel Burnett Tenor Ben Kinkley Bass Cherub and Children's Choirs FPC provides opportunities for many age groups to sing in our choral program. All choirs rehearse weekly and perform monthly during worship services. The choral program operates on the Portland Public Schools calendar (September through May), following the calendar in terms of holidays and inclement weather policies. The choirs are always open to new members but by the nature of the program require a continuing weekly commitment. Children involved in the choral program learn to love using their own voices in beautiful choral music of all styles as well as the joy of making music in a beautiful setting with wonderful people. The Cherub and Children's choirs have collaborated to present several children's musicals. The 2005 musical was "Daniel." In 2006, the groups sang "Oh, Jonah!", 2007 featured "David and the Giants," and in 2008 the groups presented "Elijah!" Cherub Choir Director: Ben Kinkley Grades: K (age 5) - 3 Rehearsals: Wednesday, 5:00 - 5:40 pm in Room 204 Children's Choir Director: Kristen Buhler Accompanist: Anita Lundgren Grades: 4 - 7 Rehearsals: Wednesday, 5:00 - 5:40 pm in the Choir Room (200)