Music Ministry

at

Steele Creek

Presbyterian Church

Choirs for Adults

Chancel Choir

Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 PM

The Chancel Choir is our main Adult Choir and is comprised of members who exhibit a deep commitment to the ministry of music and worship at Steele Creek. They lead the worship of the 11:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning and provide music for the church’s festival days and special liturgies. The Chancel Choir begins its season with  a retreat each year in the Fall. Anyone interested in singing with the Chancel Choir should schedule an appointment with the Director of Music.

Gloria Dei Ringers

Thursdays, 6:30 –7:30 PM

The Gloria Dei Ringers is an Adult Handbell ensemble designed for those individuals who read music, although no previous experience in handbell ringing is necessary. Rehearsals incorporate learning basic techniques in ringing and maintenance, along with preparing music for regular use in worship and other church events.

Choirs for Youth & Children

Covenant Ringers (grades 6-12)

 Sundays, 4:00 –4:30 PM

The Covenant Ringers is for middle school and high school youth that have an interest in ringing handbells. Music reading abilities are desired but not required. Rehearsals precede the Covenant Singers and take place in the Bell Room.

Covenant Singers (grades 6-12)

 Sundays, 4:30 –5:30 PM

The Covenant Singers is for middle school and high school youth who enjoy singing and are able to make a commitment to regular attendance. This choir participates in worship services throughout the year, including Lessons & Carols and Youth Sunday.

Carol Choir (Grades K, 1 & 2)

Wednesdays, TBA

The Carol Choir is for our younger children and their parents in which we celebrate our faith through singing, moving, story-telling, playing instruments and dramatic play. As a result of these musical activities experienced in a faith community, children will grow to give voice to their developing musical expression of faith and praise of God.

Chapel Choir (Grades 3—5)

Wednesdays, TBA

The Chapel Choir is the first “formalized” ensemble for singers in our program and blend together principles of the Royal School of Church Music, Orff-Schulwerk and Kodály. Each rehearsal provides a creative learning environment for musical development in which children will sing, play instruments, study hymns and begin to read music. The Chapel Choir sings occasionally in worship at the 11:00 a.m. service.

Additional Ensembles

Summer Singers

 June thru August

The Summer Singers Choir is comprised of individuals who have a passion for singing, but yet are unable to commit to regular rehearsals during the choir season. Open to all singers high school age and above, this choir meets the first Thursday evening during the summer months to rehearse anthems for each month.

Bereavement Choir

 Rehearsals—As Called

The Bereavement Choir is a special ministry of Steele Creek that seeks to provide a prayerful environment through the use of God’s gift of music for funerals. This ad hoc choir rehearses prior to the service. As called upon by the Director of Music

Men’s Chorus

Rehearsals— Saturday’s (As Called)

The Men’s Chorus is a musical opportunity for those who have a heart for singing. This ensemble is comprised of men from the congregation who may not be able to commit the necessary time to be a member of other choirs. The Men’s Chorus meets for short term projects and occasionally sings for worship throughout the year.

Women’s Choir

Rehearsals—Saturday’s (As Called)

The Women’s Choir is open to all the women of the church. This choir provides occasional leadership for worship services throughout the year.  Fashioned similarly to the Men’s Chorus, the Women’s Choir is designed for singers who are unable to commit to regular rehearsals, yet, are able to attend concentrated rehearsals in preparation for singing in worship.

The Organs  and Instruments of

Steele Creek Presbyterian

     The organ is central to the Church’s music ministry. It supports congregational singing, accompanies the choir, and provides repertoire drawn from the centuries of sacred music written specifically for the organ in worship. Steele Creek is fortunate to have two pipe organs housed in the Sanctuary and in Gwynn Chapel.

     The Sanctuary organ is the first mechanical action organ of builder, Ralph Blakely. Originally installed in 1978 the organ underwent renovation in 1996 at which time the action was modified to electric action with pull-downs and a detached, moveable console was installed. The organ consist of two manuals and forty-one ranks and is ideally placed on the central axis of the Sanctuary for maximum projection.

      The organ in Gwynn Chapel was built 1987 by the W. Zimmer & Sons Organ Company of Charlotte, NC.  Ideally suited as a practice instrument, Opus 405, is a unified instrument of three ranks over two manuals and pedal and serves the intimate space of Gwynn Chapel perfectly.

      Additional musical instruments of Steele Creek include numerous pianos made by the Yamaha and Mason & Hamlin companies.  The Handbell Ensembles of Steele Creek ring on a four octave set of Malmark Handbells and a three octave set of Malmark Chimes.