Membership in the choir is open to all volunteers in the congregation. There is no audition. A pleasant singing voice and a willing spirit are all that is needed. Basic sight-reading ability is helpful, but not required. Some members have more extensive background and training in music. Consequently, the group is made up of individuals with varying degrees of both ability and experience. The choir of dedicated and fun loving people provides anthems for many, but not all, 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship services from August through May. In addition, the choir provides a program of music for several Lovefeasts at Christmas and the Good Friday Lovefeast as well as other special services during the church year. Occasionally the choir participates in a special event, the Song of Salem Concert, which is presented at the Old Salem Visitor Center. Rehearsal are held from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings, August through May.
The Men’s Chorus consists of tenors and basses singing two, three, and four part anthems.
Men’s Chorus sings once a month (September through May) and every Sunday during the month of June. In addition, the chorus sings for Lovefeast at Christmas and during Holy Week. Rehearsal is generally held on two Thursday nights each month, scheduled according to the presentation schedule. The Men’s Chorus wears a dark suit, white shirt, and tie.
The Women’s Chorus is made up of all the women in the Choir and is open to participation by all women in the congregation. The chorus sings on an occasion basis. Rehearsals are held as needed on Sunday nights along with the regular rehearsals of the Choir.
This group of volunteers provides hymn leadership for funeral services held in the church and at funeral homes at the request of families. There are no rehearsals, and only rarely does this group sing a prepared anthem in the funeral service. Only occasionally, the regular Choir is requested to participate in this activity.
Anyone may volunteer to participate in this choir by notifying the Director of Music or by calling the church office and asking to be put on the list. Members receive notification of funerals or memorial services via email. Those who do not have email receive a telephone call. All are asked to respond to these contacts as to their availability each time. Singers arrive 20 minutes prior to the service, robe, and gather in the hall outside the robing rooms. If there is an anthem, singers will be contacted about an earlier time to arrive for a brief rehearsal.
Established as an outreach program to the inmates at the Forsyth County Jail, the Jail Choir provides music leadership at their Sunday afternoon worship services about twice per year. Before joining, singers are required to complete a training session provided by the jail administration. The training is offered at different churches in the city, and lasts about 2 hours. Interested singers may contact Paul Morse, coordinator, for information about upcoming training.
The Sanctuary Ensemble is a small group of invited singers who participate in at least one of the other choirs. Other small ensemble opportunities are offered to other choir members on a time by time basis.
Fellowship and fun are an important part of the choir membership
experience. The choir holds Christmas parties and
other potluck gatherings during the year. In addition,
all singers gather for a Retreat in the fall. This “kick-off” for
the music year is a day of singing and fellowship - often with
a guest speaker to set the tone for the coming year.
September Music Calendar
Any necessary changes which must be made after this schedule is published will come in an email notification or a call to those who do not have email. The material in the newsletter is generated by the 15th of the previous month.
Choir - Rehearsals held each week in the Rehearsal Room from 5:15 - 6:30 p.m. except 9/5 (no rehearsal).
Services: (New 9:25 Warm up time!)
9/5 - Hymn Leadership (come to robing area by 9:40 a.m.)
9/12 - The Lord is a Mighty God - Mendelssohn
9/19 - Choir off/Men’s Chorus sings
9/26 - Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word
10/3 - World Communion (Anthem to be announced)
10/10 - Anthem to be announced
Men’s Chorus - Rehearsals are held twice a month on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Rehearsals will be on 9/9, 9/16, & 10/14.
Service - 9/19 (New 9:25 Warm up time!)
Children’s Choir and Orffestra - (1st through 5th graders)
Begins on Wednesday, September 15th! Watch for a detailed email which will be sent to all homes with children in this age group.
Thank you, choir members, for indicating expected absences from rehearsals and services as soon as possible via the sign out book, phone, or email to lalexander@homemoravian.org
Gregor BellChor -
The Gregor BellChor will rehearse on the following dates: Tuesday, September 7: NOTE….new day just for this rehearsal! September 20 and 27 (both Mondays). All rehearsals will be at 5:30-6:30 p.m. in RB-5. There will be NO REHEARSAL on September 13.
Our next two playing dates for the Fall will be October 10 and November 7. If you have questions about the Gregor BellChor, please call Paul Knouse at (336) 765-1704 or e-mail at pknousejr@triad.rr.com.
Band - Sun. Sept. 5 9:30am: First Sunday Prelude, Tunes selected from Blue Book: 22Gg, 32P, 552C, 582T, 590N; Green Book: 22F, 22G, 151L, 151O, 167A, 167G, 195A, 205A, Cannonbury, Maryton
Death Announcement tune 151A and Choir Tunes as necessary.
Looking ahead: Sun. Oct. 3 Home Church Day at Laurel Ridge - play on the mountain.
Salem Congregation Band Classes
Beginning Band -For those who have never played an instrument &/or
need to learn to read music - Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Orientation - September 7 & 14 - Leaders - Robah Ogburn & Connie Merritt, RB 5
Second Year Band -For those who have played for at least 1 full year
Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. Starting Date: September 7 - Leader - Connie Merritt, Stage of Fellowship Hall
Third Year Band (Chorale Techniques Class) -For those who have played 2 or more years - Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. Starting Date: September 7 -
Leader - Robah Ogburn, RB 5
Questions? Call Robah Ogburn Home 983-9018 or Work 985-3267
Contact Connie Merritt at kapwing@triad.rr.com
Children from fourth grade and up are invited to participate along with Youth and Adults. Parents of fourth and fifth graders are asked to attend and sit with their children.
Chapel Choir - by Jeannine Smith
I have been a member of the Chapel Choir for many years and have found it to be a very rewarding experience. Our Choir provides hymn leadership for funerals and memorial services held in the church and at funeral homes at the request of families. We occasionally sing for some of the Lenten services also. There are no rehearsals and rarely do we sing a special anthem for a service.
A Moravian funeral is truly a celebration of the life of our departed brothers or sisters. I have been inspired by their memoirs and learned a lot about our Moravian faith. I know that the families of the departed truly appreciate our leading the congregational singing, and I’m always pleased when we have a good size choir.
I hope that those of you who enjoy singing hymns and wish to honor our departed members, and comfort their loved ones will join the Chapel Choir. You may do so by notifying the Director of Music, Lynda Alexander, or by calling the church office and asking to be put on the list.
Band Instruments Available
Home Church is fortunate to have band instruments available to loan through a new instrument loan policy recently formulated by the Band Ministry Team composed of Nola Reed Knouse, Art Sorensen, Max Brady, Allen Goslen and the Music Committee.
The instruments are available for:
a) Members wishing to learn to play an instrument by attending the beginner program sponsored by Salem Congregation and held at Home Church.
b) Members wishing to learn to play another, second instrument, attending at least one year of the band classes.
c) Home Church members already able to play an instrument but not owning their own, who play in the Home Church Band.
d) A Home Church member can serve as the responsible party for the loan of an instrument for one year to a prospective band and church member.
These instruments have recently been refurbished and are available by contacting Allen Goslen.
We also ask that if you or your family have an instrument that is not being used, that you consider donating it to Home Church so that it might be made available to loan through this program.
Thank you,
The Band Ministry Team
