Youth this Week
We are excited for the upcoming year with our youth!
Welcome to the music program at The Congregational Church. Whether you are a singer, a handbell ringer, a keyboardist, an instrumentalist, or a listener, our church welcomes and nurtures your talents! The church is a safe place for everyone from ages 2 to 100 to participate. We encourage everyone to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” either in a choir or as a member of the congregation. New members are welcome at any time!
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir, led by Nerva Altino, is the adult choir which sings weekly in the 10:00am service and in special services throughout the year. Each Advent and Lenten season a major work, with a small instrumental assemble, is featured at the 10:00am service. Special services include a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and the Mary Bradley Clarke Benefit Concert. Six section leaders assist with the vocal support of the choir. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:30 – 9:00pm and Sundays at 9:00am for the 10:00am service. The varied repertoire includes anthems that are classical, hymn based, gospel, and contemporary. These may be accompanied by the organ, piano, instruments, or a cappella.
Joyful Ringers
Joyful Ringers began during COVID and has continued to enhance the worship services. This adult choir has five octaves of bells: four octaves of White Chapel Bells and one octave of Schulmerich bells. Music reading skills are essential in this choir. Weekly rehearsals are to be announced in the near future.
The Mary Bradley Clarke Fund
Mary Bradley Clarke was the wife of The Reverend Merrill Fowler Clarke, minister of The Congregational Church of New Canaan from 1922-1950. Mrs. Clarke sang in the Chancel Choir, and was vitally interested in the ministry of music. During her time here, much was done to improve the quality and interpretation of the heritage of church music, and to introduce appropriate new forms of musical worship into the worship services. In her last will and testament, Mrs. Clarke bequeathed monies to the Music Ministry of The Congregational Church designated to provide singers and instrumentalists for special musical programs. The Mary Bradley Clarke Memorial Fund was established in 1973.
In May of each year, a concert is held in celebration of her continuing legacy to this church and to the wider community. The concert is free and open to the public.
Music Ministries News
The Disciples Deck
Pick up your deck at church this Sunday! The Disciples Deck is a year-long journey of faith.
Family Playground Pizza Meet Up
Our Children Ministries will be hosting an informal family meet-up on our playground on Wednesday, September 17, from 4:00-6:00pm!
Our Aeolian-Skinner Pipe Organ
Built in 1956. Originally the Great was in the right-hand chamber. In 1996, a new chamber was built behind the choir loft and a new Austin Great windchest installed with the original pipes, plus a 2’ Fifteenth and 8’ Trumpet. (Note the flourescent lighting in the chamber in the photos).
The original Great windchest is still there, called Enclosed Great. Only two flute (8’ & 4’) ranks are installed on this chest. Mr. Feldhaus also changed the expression shades from horizontal to vertical – a good change.
Otherwise, the organ is as original. The Aeolian-Skinner console was rebuilt by Mr. Feldhaus at this time.
