Music Ministry Opportunities

Northminster’s music ministry, under the direction of Dr. Stardust (Dusty) Johnson, is vibrant and offers a full-spectrum program for young, old and in-between. Our mission is to encourage participants to develop and express their musical gifts to the glory of God.

Music opportunities include six groups for adults and children, all of which are led by professional musicians, dedicated to the Lord’s service and to the ministry of music. In addition to lay volunteers who love music, some of the groups include volunteer professionals!

Enriching lives spiritually and musically is an important secondary goal in addition to learning and performing music dedicated to the glory of God.

Participation in one of the music ministries is a way to make music and to make friends, thus feeling a greater kinship within the larger church family.

Adults

• Sanctuary Choir leads the traditional 9:30 and 11:00am services of worship each Sunday. The choir performs music from all periods of church music, from Gospel to contemporary to Bach and Mozart, often with instrumental/orchestral accompaniment in addition to organ. Open to all, no audition necessary. Rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm in the choir loft. Dusty Johnson, Director.
  
  
• The Contemporary Praise Team leads the Contemporary Worship Service each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. The service features a more informal worship setting with more contemporary-style music featuring volunteer vocalists, guitar, percussion, piano and other instruments. The praise team rehearses each Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. Interested persons should contact Julia Higgins, director, at 327-7121 ext. 246 for additional information.
  
  

• Men’s Choir is open to all men who want to lift their voices in praise together with other men. Participates approximately monthly in traditional services of worship. Rehearsals on Thursdays at 6:45pm in the Music Rehearsal Room, Multipurpose Bldg. Dr. John T. Brobeck, Director.
  
  
• Steeple Bells Choir rehearses weekly using our excellent five-octave set of English handbells and participates approximately monthly in the traditional worship services as well as in other special services. Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the Multipurpose Bldg. Arlene Sturm, Director.
  
  

Youth and Children

The life-long value of Christian musical experiences cannot be overstated. Participants learn basic rudiments of music, responsibility in the context of faith, and they have fun! The music and lessons learned will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

• Son Life Singers, for mid high students, focuses primarily on the presentation of a musical with songs, drama, costumes and sets. Beginning in October, rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 6:00pm in the Music Rehearsal Room, Multipurpose Bldg. Director TBA.

• Choraliers is for children in grades 1 through 5. Learning and growing in faith through singing, this choir offers great opportunities for music and fun! Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:15am in the Music Rehearsal Room, Multipurpose Bldg. Gloria Day, Director.

Other Opportunities

Instrumentalists and Accompanists. There is always need for pianists and other instrumentalists to accompany choirs and/or to participate in a variety of services. Please don’t be shy about letting the director of music know that you might like to participate in this way.

The Roy Johnson Memorial Organ

Our music ministry is anchored by the majestic and beautiful pipe organ dedicated to the memory of Professor Roy Andrew Johnson, our organist from 1981 until his tragic death in 1995.

Built by Quimby Organs, Inc., of Warrensburg, MO, the organ is a three-manual instrument of 46 ranks based on an eclectic design. The organ contains 2,709 pipes, of which 653 were retained from the previous instrument and revoiced for the new instrument. The pipes range in size from over 16 feet in length to those smaller than a pencil.

Northminster's Music Ministry is...

. . .Celebration through God’s special gift

When we sing songs, play hymns or listen to Christian music, we become more receptive to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

. . .An offering to God

Whether you participate in its creation or reflect and absorb its power and beauty, you may receive the fullness of God’s grace through musical expression. The gift of music is ours.

. . .A way for God to touch our lives

We can feel God’s power and strength through the pipe organ and brass, while woodwinds and strings may express the lyrical beauty of God’s peace. Our choirs, vocalists and instrumentalists rejoice in the message of hope as we perform and make the music our own.

Music has the power to transport us to an awareness of reality we may not fathom or effectively articulate in words alone.

Music can be, and should be, an expression of the sense of wonder in the grace and goodness of the Lord our God!

God touches our lives through joyous songs, powerful instruments and participation in worship and celebration!