MUSIC MINISTRY

Praise the Lord!  Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament!  Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lyre and harp!  Praise Him with the tambourine and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!  Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord.            (Psalm 150: 1,3-6)

Music is central to our worship here at Severna Park United Methodist Church.  Our Music Ministry, under the direction of Dr. Brian Winter provides an excellent opportunity to sing in a choir from ages 3 and up.  Handbell choirs using 5 octaves of Schulmerich handbells and 5 octaves of Malmark handchimes fill our sanctuary with the sound of music.  We are blessed with a wonderful Wicks/Daffer pipe organ and a Yamaha Grand piano to also fill our sanctuary with glorious music as we praise the Lord.

The SPUMC pipe organ, designed by Wicks Organ Company and upgraded by Daffer Church Organs, has a 3 manuals (3 keyboards) and a full pedalboard with 37 pipe ranks (sets of pipes).   That's a lot of technical jargon that means that our organ produces the full range of sounds from the deep sounds produced by the tall pipes to the tinkle of bells from the smaller pipes.  All working harmoniously together in unison to lift our spirit to God as we praise Him.

Nicola combines her musical talent together with the beautiful sounds of our magnificent pipe organ to enhance the songs of praise of our choir as they raise their voices in praise to the Lord.  Listen as Nicola plays "The God of Abraham Praise"  by Michael Burkhardt

If you enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument, join a choir and share your musical gift.

VOCAL CHOIRS

Sanctuary Choir ~ Under the direction of Dr. Brian Winter
The Sanctuary Choir is a traditional choir which normally sings for 11a.m. service on Sundays and sings many styles of music.  Once a month it sings at the 9:15 worship service and the 8am worship service.  Occasionally the Sanctuary Choir combines with the Contemporary Contemporary Choir and Youth Choir.  The Sanctuary Choir also performs larger choral works with orchestra and soloists.  Practice is on Thursdays from 7:30pm to 9:00pm, no audition is required and all parts are welcome.  Enjoy hearing our Sanctuary Choir as they sing We'll Be There  (MP3 Audio File 3.6MB)

Contemporary Choir ~ Under the direction of Dr. Brian Winter
The styles of music most often sung by the Contemporary Choir are Contemporary Christian, Praise Music, Gospel, Spirituals and Vocal Jazz.  The Contemporary Choir also performs a staged cantata once a year.  The Contemporary Choir alternates Sundays at the 9:15 a.m. worship service with the Youth Choir at 9:15a.m. and occasionally sings for the 11a.m. worship service.  A Contemporary Ensemble also sings once a month at 8a.m.  On occasion the Contemporary Choir combines with the Youth Choir and the Sanctuary Choir.  Practice is on Wednesdays 7:00pm to 8:15pm.   All parts are needed and no audition is required. Enjoy hearing our Contemporary Choir as they sing  In the Name of the Lord  (Helvering/Gaither; MP3 Audio File 4.5MB) and Down to the River to Pray  (MP3 Audio File 2.7MB)

Youth Choir ~ Under the direction of Dr. Marilyn Winter
The Youth Choir, consisting of young men and women in the 7th grade through the 12th grade, alternates each week at the 9:15a.m. worship service and sings once a month at 11a.m.  Occasionally the Youth Choir combines with the Contemporary and Sanctuary choirs.  They perform a musical on Christmas Eve and tour locally at end of each school year. Practice is weekly on Sundays 5:15pm to 6:15pm in Room 110.  All parts are needed. No audition required.  Enjoy hearing our Youth Choir as they sing He Is The Rock  (MP3 Audio File 2.9MB)

Church Youth also form a Praise Band to provide music for Youth Fellowship on Sunday evenings and play occasionally for Sunday morning worship services.  Rehearsals most Sundays at 11:00AM; always looking for singers, guitarists, and especially a drummer!  Enjoy hearing our Youth Praise Band as they perform Jesus Is Alive  (MP3 Audio File 2.1MB)

Junior Choir ~ Under the direction of Joanna Ostrowski
The Junior Choir, consisting of boys and girls in the 4th grade through 6th grade, sing once every six weeks at either 9:15 or 11:00a.m. worship service.  They participate in Good News Festival program in Advent , the Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve and are the leading choir in the Children’s Musical every spring.   They practice weekly on Wednesdays 7:00pm to 8:00pm in Room 208.  All parts are needed. No audition required.  Enjoy hearing our Junior Choir as they sing Sing It!  (Joanne Brown LeDoux; MP3 Audio File 1.4MB)

Primary Choir ~ Under the direction of Joanna Ostrowski 
The Primary Choir, consisting of boys and girls in the 1st grade through 3rd grade, sing once every six weeks at either 9:15 or 11:00a.m. worship service.  They participate in Good News Festival program in Advent , the Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve and and in the Children’s Musical every spring.   They practice weekly on Wednesdays 6:30pm to 7:00pm in Room 208.  All parts are needed. No audition required.  Enjoy hearing our PRimary Choir as they sing Every Day and Night The Lord is With Me  (MP3 Audio File 2.0MB)

Carol Choir ~ Under the direction of April Doss 
Boys and girls, ages 3 through kindergarten have fun learning about music through marching, dancing, rhythm imitation and of course singing.  They sing once every six weeks at 9:15 or 11a.m. worship.   The Carol Choir participates in Good News Festival during Advent as well as the Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve and the Children’s Musical in the spring.  They practice Weekly on Wednesdays from 6:45pm to 7:15pm in room 202  All parts are needed. No audition required.  Enjoy hearing the Carol Choir as they sing O Lord Open Our Lips
(MP3 Audio File 1.3MB)

HANDBELL CHOIRS

Adult Handbell Choir ~ Under the direction of Dr. Brian Winter
Adult handbell players practice every Tuesday evening from 7:30 - 9:00 pm in Room 112 during the months of September through May. The group plays during Sunday services once a month. We have 5 octaves of Schulmerich handbells and 5 octaves of Malmark handchimes. We could use a few more ringers and substitutes.  Please see Brian Winter if interested.  If you can read sheet music and would enjoy ringing with a group, you should try it!    Enjoy hearing the Handbell Choir as they perform Hymn to Joy (MP3 Audio File 4.3MB)

For further information call Dr. Brian Winter 410-987-4700.