CHOIRS & MUSIC MINISTRY

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: Instrumentalists often provide special music to enhance worship at Our Father. Those with gifts enabling them to be proficient on a musical instrument may volunteer to play in an ensemble or serve as a soloist for worship. In addition, a band is often assembled for occasions like Easter, which gives many instrumentalists an opportunity to play in a group. Information about rehearsals for these groups will be published in the newsletter. Those who play musical instruments should make an indication on their time and talent forms as well as providing such information to the Minister of Music.

ADULT CHOIR: Our Father Adult Choir assists in leading worship by providing special music and support for congregational singing at worship services. The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and is open to anyone of confirmation age and above. The Adult Choir alternates singing at the early and late service and provides music for special services. The Adult Choir also prepares music for special events throughout the year.

CHILDREN'S CHOIRS: Children's choirs called "SonShine Singers" (Grades K-3) and “Our Father's Kids” (Grades 4-6) rehearse on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. (Times vary slightly during Advent and Lent). These groups sing regularly for worship, alternating between the early and late services. Rehearsal time is held in conjunction with the children’s handbell ringers.

FLUTE CHOIR: Our Father Flute Choir is comprised of experienced flute players of confirmation age or older. They meet on Saturdays approximately every three weeks as announced in the newsletter. Flute Choir plays in church about every six weeks.

BRASS CHOIR: Brass Choir features the musical gifts of trumpet, trombone, tuba and french horn players. They normally play for festival services and rehearse as announced in the newsletter.

PRAISE BAND: Praise Band is a contemporary vocal and instrumental group that leads worship on a monthly basis. From September through May (excluding Lent), the Praise Band usually leads worship at the 10:45 service of Holy Communion on the third Sunday of the month. In June, July and August, they lead worship at 10:45 a.m. on the third Sunday of the month and 8 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month. The group welcomes new members who sing or play guitar, flute, drums, bass or keyboard.

HANDBELL CHOIRS: Our Father currently has three handbell groups which cover most age levels in the congregation. The SonShine Ringers and Our Fathers Ringers meet on Wednesday evening (following children’s choirs) from about 7:20-8:00 p.m. (except during Advent and Lent). This group is for young ringers in grades K – grade 6. Adult Ringers rehearse on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The group is open to anyone confirmation age and above who can read notes. Each of these handbell choirs performs regularly for worship.

MEN'S CHORUS: Periodically through the year, a group of males gather to rehearse as the "Men's Chorus." Rehearsals are usually on Saturday mornings. The church newsletter carries times of rehearsals when the group meets. They sing seasonally, providing music especially for Advent, New Year’s Eve and Lent. This group is open to men of confirmation age and above.

SPECIAL MUSIC: In addition to the ongoing musical groups at Our Father, we also feature outside music groups that occasionally provide special music. Recent examples of this are the St. Olaf College Choir, The "Mariachi San Pablo" and "Mariachi Adelante" (an intergenerational musical ensemble from Ysleta Lutheran Mission of El Paso, TX), and Queen City Jazz Band (a traditional jazz and Gospel ensemble that has been playing for Our Father's Oktoberfest for the past 16 years).