Our Music Ministry is a cherished and vital part of our church. We recognize that music allows for expression that words alone cannot always convey; worship through music enriches our faith. Sharing breath and sound through hymns and songs is a holy practice. It is such an important part of worship that an entire book in the Bible is dedicated to it, the Psalms.
Our service music is “blended.” We offer a variety of musical styles that flow together through common themes. Whether you sing in one of our choirs, play an instrument, share your talents in a small group, or sing hymns duinrg worship, you are a valued part of our music ministry. We have a variety of musical opportunities for every level of ability and interest.
Below are some of the ways we share our music:
The Adult Choir is composed entirely of volunteers who are dedicated to supporting the worship experience through music. There are no auditions to join. It is a welcoming, supportive, close-knit community. We welcome people of all skill levels, and the ability to read music is not a requirement. Many choir members have learned to read music over time through their participation and developed close friendships with their informal mentors and other choir members. We sing a wide range of musical selections from traditional to contemporary. It is open to all adults and youth in 6th grade and older. The Adult Choir participates in Sunday morning worship services from September through June, as well as in special services like Good Friday and Christmas Eve. We meet for regular rehearsals in Fellowship Hall on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00. Consider joining this welcoming, supportive, close-knit community.
Our children gather for music time during Sunday School. We use a combination of contemporary music, traditional songs, and child-appropriate anthems. The Joyful Noisemakers periodically participate in the church service by singing or playing percussion on some of the songs they have been learning.
Our informal Family Choir provides music during the summer. This group offers a more flexible opportunity for people who want to sing outside of the Adult Choir. The Family Choir meets at 9:15 each summer Sunday morning and rehearses an easy song or two to sing that morning. Everyone reading age and older is welcome!
HUCC Finn is our church’s “garage band” that periodically participates in Sunday worship throughout the year. The band also offers a fun, free coffee house performance and potluck dinner in Fellowship Hall once or twice a year, featuring the band members’ odd assortment of secular selections. It’s a crowd-pleasing evening!
We encourage people to share their talents, and we create opportunities for vocalists and instrumentalists throughout the year.
Our pipe organ is a 3-manual instrument built here in New Jersey by the Peragallo Organ Company. It is a hybrid instrument, featuring not only 24 acoustic ranks of pipes, but also includes 10 digital ranks to accommodate space considerations and add versatility. The console is in the English drawknob style and incorporates over 200 levels of memory, a transposer, and midi interface capabilities. The pipe organ project originated in 1997, when the Council affirmed its commitment to the strong music ministry of our church and recognized that an investment in a quality instrument would enhance our worship experience and leave a legacy for future generations.
In 1998, thanks to a sizable bequest from the estate of John Zweig, Jr., the organ project began taking shape. The cost of materials was significantly reduced through the purchase of 14 ranks of pipes from a church in Lakewood. They were incorporated into this new organ, along with 10 new ranks and 7 digital ranks. 3 more digital ranks were added later, thanks to a gift from Bob and Bette Reinhold.
Peragallo completed its installation in the winter of 2002. A valued treasure, this instrument will serve and enrich the music ministry of the Holmdel Community United Church of Christ for many, many years to come.