Music
MUSIC AT EMMANUEL CHURCH
The 8.5-rank tracker organ at Emmanuel Church
was built by the Rieger Orgelbau in Austria and
installed in 1976. The organ is perfectly voiced for
the sanctuary and is an important part of our weekly worship.
weekly worship services, an annual concert series, an outreach choir called The Piedmont Singers, special
music for parish events, and many opportunities for participating in the musical life of the parish. The most
important function of music at Emmanuel Church is in enhancing worship, praising God, praying, and
expressing our faith in ways that words alone cannot do. St. Augustine is noted for saying,
"Those who sing, pray twice."
Singers and others interested in music are cordially invited to explore whether they are called to offer their
gifts in this special ministry area. No previous musical training or audition is required. Following
is a description of some of the ways to participate:
Senior Choir, Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, is open to all
singers high school age and older. The Senior Choir leads worship at the 10:00
am service every Sunday from September through June and provides special music
for services during the summer. The Senior Choir is a close-knit dedicated
community of faith with a very special ministry that also includes presenting
music for worship celebrations throughout the church year such as Evensong,
services during Holy Week, Christmas festivities, and community worship
services.
Emmanuel Ringers, Wednesdays, 5:00-6:30 pm, is a handbell choir that provides special music for
services throughout the year. They play solo pieces and accompany the congregation and the vocal
choirs using three octaves of handbells and three octaves of tone chimes. This choir also playsannually
at the Free Church Homecoming service, a community celebration of our common Christian heritage.
in 1999 to present a sacred concert including major choral works at the close of the
annual Christmas in Middleburg celebration the first weekend in December. The choir
also presents a special musical offering during Holy Week each year. Comprised
of singers from many area churches, the Piedmont Singers have become known for
excellence in sacred choral repertoire and worship services. In August 2009, The
choir" at Canterbury Cathedral, where they were in residence for a week,
singing Evensong every day and at Sunday services. In December 2010, the choir
performed Mozart's beloved Requiem with the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra.
They are looking forward to serving another "choir residency" at St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin, Ireland, July 23-29, 2012. Interested singers are invited to contact Wendy Oesterling for
rehearsal and performance information.
In addition, there are many opportunities for young musicians to participate in worship
services, the annual Christmas Pageant, and other special events in the parish.
As children and their families express interest and availability, a Cherub Choir for
singers age 4 years through 2nd grade, and a Youth Choir for singers from 3rd grade
through 8th grade are offered.
Feel free to contact Wendy Oesterling by phone at
540-539-7646, or by e-mail at musicdirector@emmanuelmiddleburg.org for
additional information about Music at Emmanuel Church.
