MUSIC AT EMMANUEL CHURCH

Music at Emmanuel Church is a very active ministry, with vocal and handbell choirs providing leadership at 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.

Cherub Choir, is open to singers from ages 4 years through 2nd grade. The Cherub Choir presents a musical offering at the 10:00 service about every six weeks.  They also participate in the annual Christmas pageant and other special services and Parish events.

Youth Choir, is open to singers from 3rd grade through 8th grade. The Youth Choir presents a musical offering at the 10:00 am service about every six weeks. They also participate in the annual Christmas pageant and other special services and Parish events.

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 plays annually at the Free Church Homecoming service, a community celebration of our common Christian heritage.

The Piedmont Singers is a musical outreach ministry of Emmanuel Church, founded 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 2009, The Piedmont Singers were privileged to be invited to be the "visiting choir" at Canterbury Cathedral, where they were in residence August 4-10, singing Evensong every day and at Sunday services. Interested singers are invited to contact Wendy Oesterling for rehearsal and performance information.

 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.