The ministry of music at University United Methodist Church seeks to glorify God through creative interpretation of the church's musical literature; the use of aesthetic means and vehicles to mediate and present the grace and grandeur of God; and the participation of women, men and children of UUMC and beyond, using their own considerable gifts to celebrate, worship and magnify this God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
The music ministry is centered around the Sunday services and other church festivals in which organ, choir, soloists, handbells and instrumentalists provide musical and liturgical leadership for the worship of God. There are also opportunities to offer sacred music to the community through events such as our annual Christmas Love Feast and the various dramatic and large scale productions put on by the children's, youth and adult choirs. And, watch for PipeScreams! around Halloween.

Here is a listing of opportunities within the music ministry.

Chancel Choir
Adults of all ages gather on Thursday evenings at 7:15 to learn to sing the great music of the church. Their diverse anthems and leadership of hymns are a crucial part of UUMC's weekly 10:55 service. Led by Tim Baker, they also present several major choral works with orchestra each year such as the Bach Magnificat or the Brahms Requiem. Auditions are not required.

Youth Choir (for grades 6-12)
A real blessing! This church is lucky to have more than 60 teenagers (grades 6 - 12) willing to rehearse every Sunday evening at 6:45 and then sing for church once a month. Led by Tim Baker, they are often a part of such major celebrations as the Moravian Love Feast and the Christmas Eve service. In the spring they prepare a major musical such as Godspell, Cotton Patch Gospel or Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In recent years their spring tour has taken them to San Francisco, England, Germany and New York City. In 2009 the Youth Choir plans to sing in British Columbia and Seattle.

Jubilee Choir (for grades 2-5)
Second- through fifth-grade children gather each Thursday evening at 5:45 to learn about the great hymns of the church, how to sing and the appreciation of being part of a musical ensemble. Directed by Kindermusic specialist, Rebecca Dyck, they are a blessing to our worship services about once a month. In the spring, the Jubilee Choir presents a musical based on a familiar Bible story with drama, costumes and dancing. The Jubilee Choir is open to all children.

Cherub Choir (for grades K and 1)
Here's a fantastic way for a kindergartener or first-grader to be gently introduced into the life of the church with fun songs that help them learn about who God is, and Rebecca Dyck's expertise on how best to sing them. They meet on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and sing for church several times a year. Sometimes they get to take part in the Jubilee Choir's spring musical.

Covenant Handbells
College students and longtime church members work together with Tim Baker on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. to create beautiful handbell music that adorns our worship services about once a month. They also perform each year as part of the Hillsborough Christmas Candlelight Tour and offer concerts at neighboring retirement centers. Proficient music reading skills are helpful.

Contact Tim Baker at 929-7191 ext. 17 for more information on how you can be a part of this vibrant ministry.