The Music Committee

The Music committee works with the music director to organize and oversee the musical portion of Sunday services and all musical programs in the church. It coordinates with the minister to choose music that supports her message for each service. The committee meets at least four times per year and divides a portfolio of tasks to be carried out between meetings. Members enjoy inviting musicians to participate in the non-choir Sundays, and facilitating other music related activities such as special concerts.

Traditional special events are the Messiah Sing In just before Christmas, when singers and listeners from Harvard and neighboring communities join our chamber orchestra and professional soloists, and the Music Sunday in the spring, when guest musicians join our ranks to perform longer masterpieces.

Senior Choir

This non-auditioned choir welcomes all who enjoy singing in a group. Varied styles of music are sung, tying texts to the theme of the service. This past year we have rehearsed on alternate Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Every other Sunday morning when we sing during the service, we meet at 8:30 a.m. for rehearsal.

Our choir often performs larger choral works as part of the worship service. In the past we have performed the Britten Ceremony of Carols with Harp, J. S. Bach’s Easter Contata with string orchestra, the Requiem of John Rutter and the Earth Mass, Missa Gia with jazz ensemble. This year, the choir will present the Christmas Cantata of Daniel Pinkham on December 5, with Brass Quartet and Organ. All singers are welcome to join in assisting with this performance.

Director: Ted Johnson

Junior Choir

All interested youth in grades 1 through 6 are welcome to join the Junior Choir. Rehearsals are from 11:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. most Sundays (except school holidays and the month of November during Pageant rehearsal time). We are excited to be in our own room this year, in the new Fellowship Building, with our own piano, donated by Kit Jorrens.

The Junior Choir traditionally sings for the intergenerational Thanksgiving service, the Winter Solstice service, Marin Luther King service, Easter, Religious Education Day, and possibly other occasions. Music is chosen to be relevant to the service and enjoyable for the singers. In the past the Junior Choir has joined the Chimers to perform at nursing homes.

Director: Eleanor Toth

Chimers

The chime choir is for anyone interested in being part of a musical team. You don’t need to be able to sing on pitch or read music, although the latter is helpful. Rehearsals (announced in the Belfry) are on most Sundays from noon to 1 p.m. We have three octaves of chimes, which means we usually need 11 ringers for each rehearsal. We often need substitutes to fill the parts of regulars who take occasional Sundays off. We frequently choose music that involves an additional instrumentalist, adding varied dimensions.

Director: Eleanor Toth