music ministry
A variety of music is offered in both our Sunday 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. services as we celebrate musical gifts from members of our congregation and welcome professionals from the greater community. Through hymn singing, choir anthems, and instrumental music, we have a rich opportunity to be moved to a deeper understanding of God and our Christian faith.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir presents anthems for Sunday 10:00 a.m. worship services from September through mid-June and for two services on Christmas Eve. Chancel Choir rehearsals are held weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in Unity Hall. If you are interested in being a part of the choir, please contact Jessica Allen, Director of Music.
Listen to a virtual choir piece, created in June 2020. You can find many more Chancel Choir pieces on our YouTube Channel!
Sing for Social Justice!
“Sing for Social Justice!” consists of singers and instrumentalists that have a heart for social justice. Led by singer Jessica Allen and guitarist Steve Abbott, the group works on a mix of sacred and popular social justice and protest songs.
Rehearsals are held weekly on Thursdays from 6:15 - 6:45 p.m. in Unity Hall, and the group presents music on the first Sundays of the month during the 4:00 p.m. New Light services during the program year. We all have a voice in this world. Let yours ring out for social justice! Contact Jessica Allen for more information about how you can be involved.
Listen to a virtual Sing for Social Justice! recording, created in May 2020.
TaizÉ
Using songbooks of meditative music for reconciliation that come from the Taizé ecumenical monastic community in Taizé, France, our Taizé Choir sings among the congregation at the New Light Taizé worship service held on the last Sunday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in Unity Hall.
Rehearsals take place two times per month, typically one Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. and one Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Unity Hall. If you are interested in being a part of this choir, please contact Jessica Allen for more information.
Handbell Choir
Our Hand Bell Choir of adults and youth rehearses in the sanctuary after Sunday morning services at 11:30 a.m. (following Fellowship Hour) and presents music in worship services a few times throughout the year, usually including Christmas Eve and Mother’s Day. If you are interested in becoming a ringer, please contact director Jessica Allen.
Instrumental Music
There are opportunities for instrumentalists to play solos or ensemble pieces during worship throughout the year. Contact Jessica Allen for more information on how you can get involved.
The Organ Awakens
On July 16th in 1862, the organ was installed in The Congregational Church of Middlebury, VT. The instrument had been silent since late March 2020, but in July 2020 it awakened for more frequent use again by our organist, Jeffrey Buettner. Here is a brief tour of the instrument led by the music staff.
