Music at Westminster

Westminster Church is home to a rich and diverse ministry of music.  At Westminster, musical and artistic experiences are recognized as being vital to the spiritual life of the individual and community.  Whenever we engage in creative activity, through word, music, liturgy, or the material arts, we strengthen our connectedness to each other and to the Creator of us all.

Westminster Adult Choir

The adult choir rehearses on Thursdays at 7:30 pm and sings at the 11:00 service most Sundays from September through May.  The choir's repertoire consists of some of the best choral music from a wide range of styles, from the Renaissance to newly commissioned pieces from contemporary composers.  Twice a year, the choir is joined by an ensemble of talented musicians to present a larger-scale choral work during the Sunday morning services.  Recent musical offerings have included the Vivaldi Gloria, a missa brevis of Mozart, early American Christmas music, and Bach's Jesu meine Freude.  Members of the choir are of many different backgrounds and ages, and fellowship is an important part of the choir's activities.

Sisters in Song

Sisters in Song is a group of women who enjoy singing together and share their talents with the community by participating in programs and worship services outside of Westminster.  They meet monthly on a Saturday morning to rehearse and often participate in vesper services in area retirement communities.

Singers

The Singers is a choir of youth (6th grade and up) and adults.  They meet after the 11:00 Sunday service for a snack and rehearsal.  They sing approximately once a month from September through May and participate in the service of Lessons and Carols during Advent.

Choristers

The Choristers is an exuberant group of children from 2nd grade through 5th grade.  Choristers enjoy a time of fellowship and games before their rehearsal at 4:00 on Thursday afternoons.  During rehearsal they learn how to be leaders in the worship service while improving their vocal and musical skills through games, playing instruments, and songs.  The Choristers often play percussion and Orff instruments in addition to singing.  They sing in the 11:00 service several times during the year and also participate in the service of Lessons and Carols.

Joyful Noise

The Joyful Noise is a choir for kindergartners and first graders.  They enjoy learning to use their voices through games and songs and often have Bible stories and crafts as part of their time together.  Their rehearsal is at 4:00 pm on Thursdays, and they participate in the 11:00 service a few times per year, and also in the service of Lessons and Carols.

Westminster's Organ and Organ Recitals

Westminster's sanctuary is graced with a fine tracker-action pipe organ built by Taylor & Boody Organbuilders of Staunton, Virginia.  The stoplist and pictures are available at the Taylor & Boody website.

The Westminster Organ Concert Series has shared the sounds of Westminster's organ with the community through a series of free high-quality concerts since 1980. Upcoming concerts are listed on the WOCS website.

A Little Evening Music

A Little Evening Music is a series of three concerts in the summer that include performances by musicians in the congregation and friends followed by an ice cream social.  These concerts showcase the talent of our youth and adults in a casual fun program.

Children's Choir Helpers 

Choir helpers are adults who volunteer their time and talents with our Joyful Noise and Choristers on Thursday afternoons and Sunday mornings.  The helpers assist the director and forge relationships with the children during fellowship and rehearsal time.

Minstrels

Minstrels share their love of music and songs with the children during the Sunday school hour.  Each week children sing hymns and songs that help them grow in their faith.  The Minstrels connect the themes from worship and Sunday school in the songs that they choose to enrich the worship and education of the children.