Sanctuary Choir
Our Sanctuary Choir of 40 voices rehearse on Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:15pm and on Sunday morning at 9:30 am. An expansive repertoire of composers and arrangers are incorporated into our worship. Handel, Mozart, Hanson, Hogan, Courtney and Copland bring our hearts and minds to a deeper understanding of our faith, our world and our place in it. Voice building, musicality and community building are the primary focuses.
There are no auditions and you are welcome to see if we are a place that you want to be with no strings attached.
Handbell Choirs
Religion and bells have always been intertwined. From adorning the robes of Biblical priests, to using bells to announce religious feasts, to ringing tower bells to summon worshippers to the cathedrals, to playing hand-held bells for worship, man has used the impelling sound of bells to connect with and worship God.
Walnut Creek United Methodist Church continues this tradition with a handbell program that began in 1976. We play with five octaves of Malmark handbells and 5 1/2 octaves of Malmark choirchimes. Through the years we have played in our own worship services, in many other churches, in schools, for local civic and professional organizations, for convalescent and retirement homes, in massed ringing at regional and national handbell conferences, with the Diablo Symphony Orchestra, for the Christmas Tours at The White House, and at the 9th International Symposium in England.
There are currently two adult handbell choirs which practice weekly to prepare music for worship services once a month, occasional community events and an Annual Spring Concert. We are members of the Handbell Musicians of America.
You are invited to be part of our Handbell Program. It’s a wonderful way to get acquainted, share friendships and mutual musical interests, and to participate in the musical ministry of this church. Most important is a love of music, an excitement about a unique musical instrument, and a willingness to work as a team.
Instrumental
Brass, woodwind, string and percussion players are warmly welcomed in our congregation. Soloists often accompany the choirs and a full orchestra plays with the Sanctuary Choir’s Christmas Concert. We have a marimba, drum set and three timpani. Soloists and instrumentalists who enjoy Taize style meditative music are welcome to become part of the music team. Our Swain & Kates 13 rank pipe organ, a Yamaha grand piano and a Roland RX300 keyboard provide great support to the music services and events in our church.