The role of the Crossing Chorale is to sing choral music for our worship services…to create beautiful music; enhance the topic of the month and/or sermon; offer different genres and diverse cultural music; give the opportunity for listening, joy and reflection; and to support the singing of the entire congregation during a service. Another important part of our music ministry is to be caring and supportive of each other through this fellowship. Many friendships have begun, and been deepened and strengthened, by participating in UUCWC’s Music Ministry.
Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00pm. Each choir member receives a schedule of when the choir will be singing in worship services a few months in advance. There are occasional changes/exceptions in music, however, the scheduled Sundays are planned with the ministers and worship associates.
On scheduled Sundays, the choir sings at both services, 9:00am and 11:00am. Members are asked to be in the Sanctuary between 8:15 and 8:30am (depending on what we’re singing) for warm-up and rehearsal. Crossing Chorale also sings on Christmas Eve at an 8:00pm service.
Choir members are asked to make a serious commitment to this ministry and to miss rehearsals/Sundays only when necessary. Consistent attendance is important because we learn music well in advance and there is a cumulative effect of several rehearsals for the music to be learned. It’s not just singing a song on Sunday that we just learned the previous Thursday!
It may be helpful to think of the choir as a team sport and the director as the coach. If a team member who plays a certain position (sings a certain part) is absent from practice, then the team (the choir) will be less prepared for the “game” (Sunday morning services) and the experience of the other team members (and congregation) will not be as positive as it can be.
Of course, if a musician cannot join the choir, there are many other opportunities to share their music. Crossing Chorale sings twice a month. Individual musicians are scheduled for the other Sundays by participating in small groups, duets or solos.
We’d love to have you join the UUCWC’s Music Ministry! Contact me at music@uucwc.org.