Music

Music has always been very important in our church. Worship services are enriched by strong hymn-singing, beautiful choral anthems and solos, and instrumental pieces played on our outstanding pipe organ.

Along with classic traditional repertoire, we also include new music from contemporary Christian writers and artists. So on any given Sunday, one could hear an organ toccata by Bach, sing Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee as a hymn, hear our Youth Choir offer a Mendelssohn anthem, the Handbell Choir play Be Thou My Vision, the Adult and Youth Choirs together singing Rutter’s The Lord is My Shepherd and end the service with the contemporary song, Shout to the Lord.

One Sunday each year a jazz band leads the worship music. Our approach to worship music is to include excellent music from all styles, so everyone can be touched and inspired.

ORGANIST & DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Peter Niedmann has served as our Organist and Director of Music for 29 years. An award-winning organist and composer, Peter conducts the Adult, Youth, and Handbell choirs and plays organ for all our services.

Click here for his bio

Adult Choir

Our main choir sings all services from September to June. The choir also performs in concert, at Christmas and Spring Pops. Other concerts and services are occasionally presented with various ensembles around the region. An unforgettable performance by the choir was with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at Talcott Mountain Music Festival for an audience of 7,000! The choir rehearses Wednesdays from 7:15 – 8:30 pm. New members are always welcome and encouraged to speak with our music director, Peter Niedmann, about joining. There is no audition required.

Youth Choir

Our choir of young singers who makes music at the highest level, both with the adult choir and independently. Affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music, choristers receive an excellent music education through singing. They also develop self-esteem, team spirit, discipline, and service to others. The Youth Choir sings every other Sunday in worship, as well as concerts with professional orchestra each season. The choir also combines with other youth choirs in festivals and services. Any child, grade 2 or higher, may join the choir at any time. The Youth Choir rehearses Sundays from 11:15 am – 12:00 pm. You are welcome to come with your child to observe a rehearsal and get a sense of what the choir does. Please speak with music director, Peter Niedmann, for more information. There is no audition required.

Handbell Choir

Our Handbell Choir creates a distinctive sound when it plays. Handbells are the tiny cousins to large church bells in a tower. The choir plays once a month in worship and in our concerts. The Handbell Choir rehearses Wednesdays from 6:30 – 7:15 pm. New members are always welcome. Music-reading ability is helpful. Please speak with music director, Peter Niedmann for more information.

Cherub Choir

Our Cherub Choir—children in pre-school through 1^st grade—sings several Sundays each year—including once in Advent and Palm Sunday. Directed by Janet Schneider, the Cherub Choir rehearses a few weeks prior to each appearance in worship.