Mary Kay Campbell
Director of Music

“When in our music, God is glorified…”

Mary Kay Campbell, Director of Music
Frank Pittman, Organist

MUSIC NEWS

There are many ways to praise here at the Kirk of Kildaire using our unique God-given talents in music. Our church has an active program with offerings for singers, ringers and instrumentalists interested in participating in our many worship services. Consider joining our caring community of musicians!

ENSEMBLE PROFILES

CHANCEL CHOIR meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 for rehearsal in the choir room on the lower level. Our task is to prepare appropriate choral selections to lead the many worship services. Our quality sacred literature includes a variety of musical genres. This choir is open to any interested teens and adults who love to sing and participate weekly in worship from September to June. Music reading skills are helpful but not crucial for participation. We can teach you what you need to know! Newcomers are always welcomed. Certified childcare is available during the Wednesday rehearsal time. This ensemble is directed by Mary Kay Campbell.

CHOIR 101 is offered twice yearly for the months of September and January. This session, which meets from 6:46 - 7:15 Wednesday evenings in the choir room for four consecutive weeks, is new this year. This is designed to meet the needs of people who love to sing, but perhaps don't feel that they are "experienced" enough as ensemble singers. Maybe you would just like a refresher! Come and gain some tips on how to comfortably function in an ensemble even if you are not an experienced music reader. If you can talk, I can help you to sing! We just start from where we are. Certified childcare is available during the Wednesday rehearsal time. Choir 101 is led by Mary Kay Campbell.

PSALM 150 is an acoustic ensemble for teens and adults that sings and plays worship songs in a contemporary style. Singers, guitarists and other acoustic instrumentalists are encouraged to participate. PSALM 150 contributes to worship services several times during the liturgical year. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 and accepting of new members. Certified childcare is available during the Tuesday rehearsal time. This ensemble works collaboratively under the leadership of Ken Purchase.

HOPE CHOIR is an ensemble for children/youth in grades 4 – 8 and meets on Sunday mornings from 9:00– 9:30 in the Choir Room on the lower level. We sing quality choral literature appropriate for the adolescent voice. Care is taken to help the young singer through this crucial time in vocal development. It’s a fun way to learn about our faith as we prepare songs to sing in worship services. This ensemble is directed by Mary Kay Campbell.

PEACE CHOIR is a singing group that meets on Sunday mornings from 9:00– 9:30 in room M-18 (off of Fellowship Hall) for children in grades 1 – 3. The children are led in music to encourage worship skills as they learn the basics of singing in a group setting. Peace Choir participates in worship services several times a year. This choir is led by Elizabeth Luttrell.

LOVE NOTES is a music time for children ages 4 to Kindergarten that meets on Sunday mornings as part of the Sunday School hour. Ms. Lori leads this singing time in 12-15 minute segments as she travels to each classroom to meet the various groups of children. The children are led in songs appropriate to their age on themes of faith. They will occasionally sing at our worship services.

HANDBELL ENSEMBLES

CHANCEL RINGERS is a handbell choir that meets for rehearsal in the sanctuary on Tuesday evenings from 6:15 – 7:15. This group is designed for experienced ringers who prepare worship music offered about once a month and for special liturgical celebrations. The ability to read music is a must for participation in this ensemble and leads to success for the group. We encourage experienced ringers to come and get to know us! Certified childcare is available during the Tuesday rehearsal time. This ensemble is directed by Mary Kay Campbell.

GRACE RINGERS is an entry level handbell ensemble for adults that meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-8:30. If you are interested in learning the skills leading to musical competence on handbells, this is the place for you! The rehearsals are designed for non-music readers and participants with limited experience. Certified childcare is available during the Tuesday rehearsal time. The group is led by Katherine Brekke.

GENESIS RINGERS (Level I) and JOYFUL RINGERS (Level II) are handbell and choirchime ensembles for children in grades 3 – 6. GENESIS RINGERS rehearse from 4:30 – 5:00 on Tuesday afternoons, and JOYFUL RINGERS rehearse from 5:00 – 5:30 on Tuesday afternoons, both in the sanctuary. The children learn the art of handbell ringing as well as music skills by playing music appropriate for worship services. This group is team directed by Liz Pogue, Pattie Stephenson and Gail Jordan.

COVENTRY RINGERS (Level III) is a handbell choir for teens (minimum grade 6) for ringers with experience in music reading. We learn the art of handbell ringing as we prepare selections for worship services. Teens who play instruments are encouraged to join as the actual ringing techniques are taught and refined in rehearsals. COVENTRY RINGERS meet from 3:00 - 4:15 on Sunday afternoons in the sanctuary. This ensemble is led by Mary Kay Campbell.

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

Various brass and woodwind ensembles meet throughout the liturgical year. If you have experience in large or small instrumental ensemble playing and wish to offer music at worship services in this kind of setting, please contact Mary Kay Campbell for more information.

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As our music ministry continues to evolve efforts will be made to meet the wishes and needs of our diverse congregation. Our goals are threefold:

- to make a vital contribution to the life of the Kirk

- to lift up our worship experience

- to allow our participants to praise our Lord with their personal best.

For more information please email Mary Kay Campbell or call her at the Kirk, 919-467-4944 ext. 5.