Music at Westminster

Everything Glorious

Sunday, December 9, 6 pm

Everything Glorious, by Travis Cottrell, is a praise and worship musical for Christmas, full of seasonal favorites, best-loved praise and worship choruses and a host of stunning new songs. Featuring Westminster’s Celebration Singers, dance groups and contemporary band H.Y.P.E., the evening will inspire and invigorate all with great joy at the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Choral music is a highlight of the Advent season

On Music Festival Sunday, our Westminster choirs will provide a high point in our celebration of the Advent and Christmas seasons with the following repertoire.

The Advent anthem Tell Out My Soul by Birmingham composer Kayron Lee Scott will showcase the Chancel Choir and handbells, as well as flutist Debbie Ash. This setting arranges a 15th-century French secular song and uses an Advent hymn text based on The Song of Mary (or Magnificat) from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, written by Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926). Designed to be done “with graceful energy,” it is possessed of both vigor and solidity.

The combined adult choirs will present the quiet and gentle Mary’s Lullaby with words and music by Gale Richard Price. Jessie Harvey will accompany on the violin.

The children’s choir will sing Song of Good News, a traditional Israeli tune with Advent words by the Rev. Willard F. Jabusch.

Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain, offered by the combined Chancel Choir, Celebration Singers and children, is an anthem by Carolyn Jennings, longtime faculty member and music department chair at St. Olaf College. With text adapted from Isaiah 40, it provides a pleasingly fresh, new musical look at Advent.

The Celebration Singers will sing Glory to God in the Highest by Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt and Sue C. Smith. On a blog, Mr. Cottrell writes, “I am passionate about Jesus, and about my family. And I love my life as a worshipper of the Most High God. And I love my job . . . my calling . . . as a worship leader. I travel with Beth Moore and lead worship at her Living Proof Live conferences.” This piece is a driving, rhythmic piece from the December Good News at 6:00 musical (December 9), and it includes a minor mode version of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and also contrapuntal sections that represent the angels singing “gloria.”

Vocal choirs

Chancel Choir (adults)
Rehearses Wednesdays, 7:30–9:00 p.m., from the first Wednesday after Labor Day until the second week of June; rehearses also one half hour prior to the worship service.
Sings at the second service (11:15).
Conducted by Carroll Hart. No audition required. The ability to read music is helpful.

Celebration Singers (adults)
Rehearses Thursdays, 7–8 p.m., from the first Wednesday after Labor Day until the second week of June; rehearses also one half hour prior to the worship service.
Sings at the first service (8:45).
Conducted by Shawn McDonald. No audition or music reading required.

Children’s Choir (grades 2–5)
Rehearses Wednesdays 6:30–7:20, during the first semester.
Sings every third Sunday, alternating between the first and second services, during the first semester.
Conducted by Carroll Hart. All children are encouraged to participate.

Handbell choirs

Alleluia Ringers (adults)
Rehearses Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m., from the first Wednesday after Labor Day until the second week of June.
Rings every third Sunday, alternating between the first and second services.
Conducted by Michelle Borton. No previous handbell experience is required, but the ability to read music is helpful.

Ringing Praise
(advanced high school students)
Rehearses Wednesdays, 5:45–6:20 p.m., from the first Wednesday after Labor Day until the second week of June.
Rings whenever prepared.
Conducted by Michelle Borton. Members must be able to read music well.

Westminster Chimes
(grades 6–high school)
Rehearses Wednesdays, 6:30–7:20 p.m., during the second semester.
Rings every third Sunday during the first semester, alternating between the first and second services.
Conducted by Michelle Borton.

Joyful Noise (grades 2-5)
Rehearses Wednesdays, 6:30–7:20 p.m., during the second semester.
Rings every third Sunday during the second semester, alternating between the first and second services.
Conducted by Michelle Borton.

Kingdom Kids
(Age 4 through first graders)
Rehearses Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Singing, playing bells and crafts.
Contact Patsy Gregory or Eileen Helm.