Music Ministry

Through our incredibly rich music program, we extend an extravagant welcome to allpeople of all ages, backgrounds, musical tastes, and abilities – to participate in our ministry. We have seven ensembles that meet weekly (or almost weekly), each seeking to feel how the Spirit is working through us to inspire and move people, bringing people together, and engaging us to feel God’s presence in our daily lives. Whether singing a hymn during worship or listening to the Bozeman Organ in concert, we hope you will be uplifted and nourished, feeling better for having attended.

All of our ensembles are overseen by Cathy Meyer, Minister of Music and Michaela Barczak, Director of Youth Choirs. Scroll down for ensemble info and our Music Program calendar. Interested? Questions? Click here to email Cathy.

The youngest members of “The Bee Suite” music program are our HoneyComb Wednesdays (formerly Cherub Choir) for children ages 0-5 along with their parent or caregiver. Kids can join us on Wednesdays 4:00-4:45PM (with Homework Club from 4pm-5pm for other children K through 5th grade), singing and playing with director Cathy Meyer.

As part of “The Bee Suite” music program, the The Nectar (formerly lower-elementary from Carol Choir) is designed for children in kindergarten through 2nd grade to sing and play at 5:00pm each Wednesday with Homework Club at 4:00pm. This choir will meet with director Michaela Barczak.

The Hive (formerly upper-elementary from Carol Choir) welcomes children in grades 3-5 to “The Bee Suite” music program as they begin to learn how to sing in parts while they play games and instruments with director Cathy Meyer at 5:00pm each Wednesday with Homework Club at 4:00pm.

The oldest members of “The Bee Suite” music program are the Sting (formerly Youth Choir). Youth in middle- and high-school join each Sunday, 2:30-3:30PM to sing music from a variety of styles as well as play ukulele and other instruments. Ukuleles are available to borrow from the church and no prior experience is necessary.

All are welcome to join the main Sanctuary Choir, Low Voice Choir and/or Treble Voice Choirs in providing music for worship, whether you are a professional singer or just finding your voice.

Interested? Questions? Click here to email Cathy.

  • The Sanctuary Choir inspires and encourages congregational participation through strong leadership and enhancement of hymns and service music, whether we are worshipping in-person or virtually. Our repertoire encompasses a wide variety of styles, including everything from the great works in the classical canon, to spirituals of the twentieth century, to fresh arrangements of favorite hymns. The Sanctuary Choir often collaborates with guest musicians and other ensembles from within the church.
  • The Low Voice Choir is a committed group of tenor and bass singers who love to gather and sing anthems with rich harmonies, often new arrangements of favorite hymns. They sing for worship about 4-5 times a year and are very welcoming to new members. Reach out to [email protected] for more information.
  • The Treble Voice Choir invites all sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, and altos to join in singing beautiful, uplifting songs for treble voices approximately 2-3 times a year.
  • The Chamber Choir offers a cappella anthems for worship approximately 6 times per year, often pulling from Renaissance and 20th century British repertoire.

Click to hear our Sanctuary Choir!

Click to hear our Low Voice Choir!

Click to hear our Chamber Choir!

All are welcome to join our SC Ringers handbell ensemble in providing music for worship, whether you have experience or are picking up the bells for the first time.

Interested? Questions? Click here to email Cathy.

The South Church Ringers (adults/high schoolers) play a 5 octave set of English handbells and handchimes, sometimes using mallets and additional percussion instruments, playing for worship approximately six times each year. Members range in age from high school students to retirees and everything in between, providing a true intergenerational experience. All are welcome to join in the fun, regardless of musical background or knowledge.

Click the video to see our ringers! “Exuberance” by Margaret Tucker (C) 1996 Jubilate Music Group/Alfred Publishing. All rights reserved. Used with permission: OneLicense #A-736671.

Youth Bells  We have plans to start a handbell program for youth in grades 3-8. High Schoolers are always welcome to ring with South Church Ringers, and children younger than 3rd grade will gain some experience with bells and other instruments in HoneyComb and The Nectar choirs. If you are interested in learning more, please email Cathy.

South Church is fortunate to have many fine instrumentalists in our congregation who specialize in a wide variety of genres. If you (adults/high schoolers) are interested in offering music as a soloist or would like to join (or create!) an ensemble to provide music for worship, please contact our Minister of Music.

The Crossroads band is an eclectic group of adult musicians with influences ranging from Noel Paul Stookey and The Beatles to Alison Krauss and Lauren Daigle. Crossroads draws upon a diverse musical repertoire to find the place where music and scripture meet, complementing the message of worship using a combination of folk and acoustic contemporary Christian music.

The Recorder Ensemble plays instruments of different sizes, from nine inches to three feet, including sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorders. They play for worship services at South Church and at Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover. This group is open to all recorder players who are at an intermediate or advanced level.

South Brass provides celebratory music for special Sunday services throughout the year, including Homecoming Sunday, Joy Sunday (the third Sunday of Advent), and Easter. This group is made up of professional musicians, and includes trumpet, trombone, and timpani.

South Strings includes violins, violas, cellos, and double bass, offering soothing and uplifting classical and modern repertoire approximately four times a year, including the late service on Christmas Eve. This group is open to all youth and adult musicians who are at an intermediate or advanced level on their string instrument.