For current and upcoming repertoire, rehearsal schedules, Choir Registration Form, and important information for our church musicians, please click here.

Music Ministry Overview

Our Music Ministry offers opportunities for involvement at any age and in varying amounts of time commitment. All groups are under the direction of Susan Bonito, unless otherwise indicated.

Senior Choir: The Senior Choir is one of the longest continuously active small group ministries at the United Parish of Upton. This talented and dedicated core group of singers leads the congregational singing and offers anthems and service music in a variety of musical styles three to four Sundays per month from September to June. The group is open to high school students (with permission from the Music Director) and adults. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The Senior Choir is currently seeking additional singers of all voice types.

Accord (Praise Band): With the inclusion of guitar and drums, this group offers “a new song to the Lord” through contemporary praise and worship music on the last Sunday of the month (September through May, with the month of December off for good behavior!). Accord rehearses at 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on the two Tuesdays prior to the last Sunday of the month. The group is currently seeking an electric bass player, an additional keyboard player, two tenors and one bass singer.

Junior Youth Choir (Sharon Bliss, Director): The Junior Youth Choir is for youth in 6 th – 8 th grades. They sing a variety of music in multiple parts and often include instruments. They present anthems and praise responses throughout the program year and collaborate with the other choirs of the church, especially for special occasions. The Junior Youth Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. in the Vestry. New singers are welcomed throughout the program year.

Children's Choir: The children's choir welcomes children in 2 nd through 5 th grades. Younger children are accepted if parents accompany them in rehearsals to assist with reading and tracking music and words. Rehearsals incorporate musical games and vocal warm-ups to teach important musical and vocal principals. Singing a wide variety of music in unison and two parts, this group sings for Worship about every 6 weeks and for special occasions. They also present musicals once every year or so to the congregation. The Children's Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. New singers are welcomed throughout the program year.

Festival Choir: The Festival Choir is our expanded choir and participates in worship on holidays and special occasions. Historically, this group has gathered for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Jazz Sunday (Sunday before Lent) and Easter. Festival Singers attend four weekly rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall prior to the holiday or special occasion. There may also be an additional dress rehearsal for Christmas and Easter. Participation in the Festival Choir is an especially joyous way to be involved in the music ministry of our church on a short-term basis. Instrumentalists are also invited to participate and are urged to contact Susan Bonito several months in advance so that appropriate music can be selected.

Men's Ensemble: Our Men's Ensemble performs a couple of times per program year. Singing both a cappella and accompanied music, this group generally sings in close harmony and may include vocal percussion. The Men's Ensemble provides male singers with “changed voices” an opportunity to participate in music ministry with a limited time commitment. Leadership of this group varies from time to time but interested singers should contact Susan Bonito for more information.

Women's Ensemble: This group also performs a couple of times per program year. Historically, the Women's Ensemble has performed for the Longest Night Service in December. Like the Men's Ensemble, the women present music with lush harmonies and sing both a cappella and accompanied works. The group is under the direction of Susan Bonito. Additional instruments are occasionally included.

Summer Soloists: Throughout each summer, soloists, and small ensembles offer special music for worship in our intimate “Summer Chapel” located in the Vestry. Singers and instrumentalists are encouraged to sign up in May and June for one or more services during the summer. Rehearsals with our accompanist, Chi-Chi Chin are arranged at mutually convenient times.

Intergenerational Choir: This choir is in the planning stages with the goal of creating opportunities for entire families and individuals of any age and experience level, to come together in fellowship and service through music. This is not an “I can read music, have a great voice and sing perfectly in tune” kind of choir. It is more of an “I love music, I think it would be fun to sing with family and friends and I would like to add some depth to my worship experience while serving my church” kind of choir. To receive updates on this emerging group, please contact Susan Bonito.

Music Task Force: In 2007, the Music Task Force came together through the process of appreciative inquiry, to ascertain the musical gifts and resources of the church and to plan for the future growth and development of our Music Ministry. One of the strengths we identified was the power of music to reach people out in the community who might not otherwise come through our doors. With the goals of bringing people together in joyous celebration, increasing awareness of our church within our community and raising money to support our ministry, the Task Force produced it's first Community Concert in October, 2008 with great success. The Task Force is actively planning additional concerts and other musical events for 2009 and beyond. The group relies on a wide variety of gifts and talents among it's members, from graphic design (programs, tickets, posters and flyers), to organizational skills (planning refreshments, recruiting helpers, managing/ coordinating various groups/tasks on concert day) to interior decoration, accounting skills, baking talents and more. If you would like to become involved in this group, please contact Susan Bonito.

Music Contact: Susan Bonito, Music Director: msbonito@mac.com

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