Chancel Choir Guide
September 2016 The Chancel Choir is the keystone of our church's music ministry. The 70+ voice adult choir sings weekly for the 9:45 and 11:00 AM worship services and also participates in special concerts through- out the year. The requirements for membership are enthusiasm, energy, and effort; no audition is required. We work together to develop a collective sense of community -- musically and spiritually -- that enables us to share God's love through music with one another and with our congregation.
Here’s what you can expect when you join the Chancel Choir:
Wednesday Night Rehearsals • Look for the list of the rehearsal music and any instructions for the evening on the whiteboard. • Collect new music and your practice folder from the robing room. • Make sure you have all your music before the rehearsal begins. • Have your pencil (no pens, please!) ready to go.
• If you miss two consecutive rehearsals, we ask that you not sing the following Sunday. For excep- tions, please check with the Director of Music.
• Please make every effort to arrive on time for rehearsals and to receive a seat assignment so as not to disrupt your fellow choristers.
Sunday Morning Services • You are encouraged to sing at either the 9:45 or 11:00 service. On High Holy Days or other spe- cial Sunday services, you may be asked to sing at multiple services. • Rehearsals begin 30 minutes prior to the service. • Collect your bulletin, music, hymnal, and performance folder, and robe up prior to the start of re- hearsal. • Seating may be assigned following the rehearsal. Note that the choir rehearsal space is set up in the same arrangement as the chancel. • Following rehearsal, line up in procession order in the side hallways leading to the sanctuary. • If the choir is processing down the main aisle, enter the sanctuary via the side aisles. Remain in the sanctuary until first hymn begins. • Follow the leader through the narthex and file down the main aisle two by two, keeping a distance of three pews behind the preceding couple. Stay with your partner. Pause at the first step of the chancel before the crucifer, (do a small bow to the altar, if you like) and then proceed to the top of the stairs, again staying with your partner. At the top step, turn and make your way to your seat. • If the choir is not processing, enter the chancel back row first. • Following the service, exit front row first. • The choir is invited to remain seated after the 11:00 AM service to listen to the closing voluntary.
Other odds and ends • Please report any planned absences in advance via the sign-out list posted in the Choir Room. • If you have a last minute absence, please notify the Director of Music and the Music Ministry As- sistant via an email message. • You will be assigned two robes (red and blue) and a surplice. We ask you to wash them as needed and report any issues to the Robing Team Leader. • You will also be assigned a numbered slot, practice folder, performance folder, and hym- nal. Please keep track of them. • Please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes, aftershaves, or scented lotions. The close quar- ters of the chancel can play havoc with allergies. • We aspire to a level of conformity in appearance appropriate for our traditional services, but with- out a rigidity of spirit in practice. With this in mind, we ask that you avoid wearing large earrings, jeans, sandals, and tennis shoes for the services. Dark, closed-toed shoes are preferred.
Myers Park UMC Chancel Choir, preparing to lead evensong service, Myers Park UMC Chancel Choir
In Bristol Cathedral, England, 2013 in Nymburk, Czech Republic 2015