The Senior Choir

Click here to hear Peter Hawkins (bass) and David Helsel (tenor)
sing a section of The Cross of Christ (704 kb, .wav)

Top row, left to right: sopranos Allison Thorp, Betty Schumacher, Deborah Fortunato, Lois Adkins,
basses Peter Hawkins, Rev. David Hammett, Bob Schumacher
Middle row: altos Linda Sistare, Christina Hammett, Kay Hammett, Virginia Helsel; tenor David Helsel
Front: Nathan Bayreuther

The senior choir, consisting of thirteen vocalists, meets every Thursday at 7:00 in the evening to rehearse. On Sunday we usually meet at 9:15 to practice before the 10:00 service.

When I first started my position as Music Director in 1999, I was very fortunate. I already knew how the choir worked: how they rehearsed, what the schedule was like, what was to be expected. Substituting for five years for the previous music director was most certainly a benefit. However... during the first choir practice I was a nervous wreck. I had no idea how they would react to the choices of music, my way of teaching/directing, and my own expectations.

As the year progressed and we began to become more comfortable with the way we worked together, we truly connected as a choir. More avenues were explored with different styles, composers, and eras. We have found that we have been able to do things we didn't even think possible. And what a treat to discover those aspects!

It has now been four years since I started. Some singers have come and gone, some have been around for decades, and new potential members have expressed an interest in joining us this fall. It is a wonderful experience working with these people, and I look forward to exploring more "avenues" this next season.

Any special performances and other upcoming musical events will be posted on the website calendar, so please check back often.

-Nathan J. Bayreuther
Director of Music