Music Ministry

As part of “The Bee Suite” music program, The Nectar is designed for children in kindergarten through 2nd grade to sing and play together. We have two sections of Nectar choir, and ask that families register for one:

• Sundays, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM with Ms. Michaela
• Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 PM with Ms. Michaela

The Hive 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. Hive choir is led by director Shannon Eldridge and meets on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 PM.

Click here for information on our youth handbells program for grades 3-8.
Click here for information on our youth string ensemble for grades 5 and up.

Sting is for the oldest members of “The Bee Suite” music program. Youth in middle- and high-school gather 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. Sting meets on Sundays from 2:30-3:30 PM and is led by director Michaela Barczak.

Click here for information on our youth handbells program for grades 3-8.
Click here for information on our youth string ensemble for grades 5 and up.

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 worshiping 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. Led by Cathy Meyer.

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. Led by Cathy Meyer. Email Cathy 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. Led by Michaela Barczak. Email Michaela for more information.

The Noteworthy Choir is a new small group (SATB with 3 on a part) that focuses on singing music from Tom Fettke’s book With One Voice. Led by Vic Olmstead, who brings experience of singing and directing these selections from his time as Musical Director at his previous congregation.

The Chamber Choir offers a cappella anthems for worship approximately 6 times per year, often pulling from Renaissance and 20th century British repertoire. Led by Cathy Meyer.

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 6-8 times each year. SCR also attends events sponsored by the Handbell Musicians of America, including the annual Spring Ring and biennial Festival Conference. Each fall, SCR also hosts the Andover Bell Festival. 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. Led by Cathy Meyer.

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.

South Church Ringers TOO (3rd-8th grade) is a new ensemble for youth who are interested in playing handbells. South Church Ringers TOO meets for several 3 or 4-week sessions over the course of the year. The ensemble meets on Sundays after worship, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM and alternates sessions with South Strings TOO. Led by Cheryl Kraley and Laura Rex.

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. Crossroads plays for worship 4-8 times a year as well as many of our outdoor worship services.

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 and are comfortable with playing one to a part.

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. South Strings plays for worship approximately 6 times per year.

South Strings TOO is a string ensemble for students grades 5+ with basic proficiency on a string instrument. This ensemble meets for several 3 or 4-week sessions over the course of the year. The ensemble meets on Sundays from 11:30-12:30 PM and alternates sessions with South Church Ringers TOO. Led by Julie Diehl, with assistance from Sally Lincoln-Vogel, both of whom are music teachers in the public school system. is a string ensemble for students grades 5+ with basic proficiency on a string instrument. This ensemble meets for several 3 or 4-week sessions over the course of the year. The ensemble meets on Sundays from 11:30-12:30 PM and alternates sessions with South Church Ringers TOO. Led by Julie Diehl, with assistance from Sally Lincoln-Vogel, both of whom are music teachers in the public school system.