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Music at Little River UCC Music is a vitally important part of our worship. Choirs for adults, junior and senior high school youth, and younger children lead the congregation in worship and provide fellowship opportunities for choir members. The choir and congregation worship with both classical and contemporary music. Special programs are presented several times a year. Choirs   Forever Blessed CD   The Year in Music Summer Music Music Staff Schedule of worship services for 2007-2008, including choir schedules. Choirs Sanctuary Choir The Sanctuary choir is an adult SATB choir which sings a variety of music from the Medieval era to the present day. Service music and an anthem are provided for one of the services each week on a rotating basis. Christian holy days and special events in the life of the church make up the balance of the Sanctuary Choir schedule. Some of the highlights of the last few years have included: The world premiere of Amaral Vieira's Ubi Caritas et Amor, commissioned to commemorate the retirement of Falle Nelson, Little River's Sanctuary Choir Director of 13 years. Vivaldi's Gloria John Rutter's Gloria Mozart's Requiem Amaral Vieira's Missa pro Defunctis Dave Brubeck's La Fiesta de la Posada John Rutter's Magnificat Fauré's Requiem John Rutter's Requiem Mozart's Missa Brevis in C, KV220 Handel: Selections from Messiah The Sanctuary Choir practices on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in the Choir Room and 45 minutes before worship from the last week of August to about the second week of June. Special music is performed during Advent, Lent, at Easter and at Choir Sunday in late May. Youth Choirs Our youth choirs sing on alternate Sundays, providing service music and an anthem for one of the services each week. Joyful Noise Joyful Noise is a choir for youth in grades 7-12. It performs a variety of music from classical to folk, including many contemporary anthems. Singers learn to work with others and develop their musical talents in a Christ-centered environment. Joyful Noise assists at worship twice a month and provides special music on Choir Sunday in late May, at Youth Sunday and for Confirmation. It also supports the sunrise service on Easter. Joyful Noise practices Sundays at 10:45 AM. Salt of the Earth Salt of the Earth is a choir for youth in grades 2-6. It performs a variety of unison and two-part anthems. Choir members learn to share themselves with their church community in an atmosphere of fun. Salt of the Earth assists at worship twice a month, and provides special music on Choir Sunday and Church School Sunday. Salt of the Earth practices Sundays at 11:00 AM. Church School Chorale The church school chorale is a choir made up of students in the LRUCC church school. The chorale uses music as a part of learning, then shares that music with the congregation regularly during worship. Contemporary Choir The Contemporary Choir is a multi-generational ensemble that provides contemporary, traditional folk and world music for liturgy. The Contemporary Choir assists in Worship every month or so, and is usually accompanied by guitar. The Contemporary Choir practices on selected Sunday afternoons at 12:15 . Our Music CD: Forever Blessed To celebrate the Jubilee year of Little River, the music community of Little River released a CD, Forever Blessed. The CD has 75 minutes of music, including all the choirs, a variety of instrumental musicians, and reflects the music of the church year here at Little River. The Year in Music August-September Choirs begin practice following summer break. A chance to greet old friends and meet new friends. "Read" through anthems and service music and prepare for the two-service format beginning the first Sunday after Labor Day. December Special Advent and Christmas programs by all choirs celebrate the Incarnation. Some presentations are accompanied by instrumentalists. One service features the giving of gifts for children in need, "The Service of the White Gift". February The Sanctuary Choir joins the adult choir of Springfield Christian Church, Disciples of Christ for an Ash Wednesday supper and ecumenical service. On Youth Sunday, the Joyful Noise Choir joins with the Senior High Pilgrim Fellowship in leading a youth-developed service of worship. March-April The period of Lent, including Palm/Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day provide a wealth of opportunity for worship in music. May-June The end of the regular season of choir participation is Church School Sunday in late May or early June . Church school students and the youth choirs work together to provide leadership for a special service of worship. Summer Music Program From June through Labor Day, a variety of solo and ensemble music is presented by members and friends of Little River during worship, while the choirs take a holiday. If you are interested in providing some special summer music, please contact any member of the music staff or muic committee. Both instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome, and participants include individual members from the various choirs, as well as members of the congregation at large and people from the broader community. Music Staff Craig Stapert Organist and Sanctuary Choir Director Nancy Huddleston Director, Joyful Noise and Contemporary Choir Kenyon Erickson Director, Salt of the Earth Choir