Music Ministry

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19

UUMC offers a vital music ministry through the Chancel Choir, the Chapel Choir (youth), the Asbury and Wesley Choirs (children), the Youth Band, the Agape Ringers (handbell), and the Cherub singers (3-4 year olds). Participating in a choral or instrumental ensemble builds unity and community and all are welcome to join!

The Asbury & Wesley Singers

Children's Choirs

Our two children’s choirs meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:10 AM. The children who attend the 8:30 church service leave during the singing of the last hymn and are escorted by their Choir Volunteers to practice. Those children attending Sunday School and the 11:00 AM church service should meet us in the Children’s Choir room (Room 203) upstairs in the Children’s building at 9:30 AM.

Membership in The Asbury Singers is for children from kindergarten through 2nd grade. This group learns songs that they share with both services on one Sunday each month during the school year (usually the 2nd Sunday of every month). The Asbury Singers also prepare to participate in the Christmas Program and the Spring Musical along with the Wesley Singers. They meet upstairs in the Children’s Building in Room 203.

Membership in The Wesley Singers is for children in the 3rd through 6th grades. They prepare anthems to sing once a month during the school year (usually the 2nd Sunday of each month) at both services in our main Sanctuary. The Wesley Singers perform in the Christmas Program and Spring Musical each year with the Asbury Singers. The Wesley Singers meet on the second floor of the Children’s Building in Room 203.

We encourage each child to get involved in our two main programs by participating in singing in a small group or solo, having a reading part, or even through dance. We believe in providing children the opportunity to learn about their faith through music, song, dance, and performance.

The Chapel Choir

The Chapel Choir, grades 6 through 12, sings one Sunday a month (usually the 3rd Sunday) at the 8:30 a.m. worship service. This choir has a rich history with a legacy spanning over 35 years. The choir sings a variety of music including traditional hymn arrangements, classic choral works, and more contemporary compositions.

In addition to participating in worship, the Chapel Choir produces a musical performance each year in the spring. Within the last several years, the choir has produced a musical review wit dinner for Valentine’s Day with members of the congregation. In the past, the choir has produced full musicals to learn about faith through music, song, dance, and performance. Our past musicals include Children of Eden, Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, Cotton Patch, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

If you have any questions about our youth choir, please feel free to contact the Chapel Choir Director, Dr. Susannah Fowler Craig, by phone at 225- 936-0768 or by email at susannah@universitymethodist.org.

The Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir at University United Methodist Church provides heartfelt music selections every Sunday during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. The Chancel Choir rehearses every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In addition to weekly worship offerings, the Chancel Choir provides several large-scale music programs throughout the year. Special music services include LSU Sunday, All Saints Sunday, Lessons and Carols, Home for the Holidays, The Longest Night, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and Easter. All adults are invited to join.

University United Methodist Church offers stipends to section leaders for participating in the Chancel Choir. Section leader positions are selected by the Director of Music.

If you would like additional information please contact Dr. Johnnie Bankens, Director of Music, at johnnie@universitymethodist.org.

The Agape Ringers

Handbells

The Agape Ringers, our handbell choir, provide service music once a month for both worship services (8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.). In addition, the Agape Ringers occasionally prepare pieces to be performed along with the Chapel or Chancel choirs. Weekly rehearsals take place in the sanctuary every Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. We are always seeking out new ringers to join our choir! There is no prior experience or musical knowledge required; everyone is welcome to come and learn. Training will be provided! If you would like additional information please contact agaperingers@universitymethodist.org.