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Music has long been an important part of the Moravian worship experience. Whether it is an instrumental piece, an organ prelude, a choir anthem, a congregational hymn, or ringing of hand bells our services would not be complete without music being included. New Philadelphia Moravian Church is fortunate to have a wonderful music program that includes a large number of participants who are proud of their contributions to our worship services.
Steve Gray brings many years experience in church music, serves as the church’s choir director and leads our Choir. David Teague uses his experience as a school band teacher to lead our band and low brass ensemble. Michael Westmoreland is our organist.
The Choir leads the congregational singing and special anthems for the 9:30 am traditional service and the 11:30 a.m.. For the 11:30 a.m. service, a smaller ensemble usually sings music that includes a wide range of songs, anthem, and hymns ranging from the traditional to more contemporary. The praise band accompaniment utilizes the sanctuary piano and guitars. The Choir also sings for special occasions such as the Christmas Eve services, Lenten services, and the wonderful Easter morning celebration.
Choir practice is at 7 p.m. each Monday in the Choir Room. Membership is open to all in the congregation. Basic sight-reading is helpful, but not required. Our choir is full of dedicated and fun-loving people. Come join us to sing praises to our Lord.
Whether soprano, alto, tenor, bass, high school age through senior adult, we welcome any person who wishes to join the choir and have open arms for you.
Our Children’s Choir performs at the Sunday morning services on occasional Sundays and at other special services. You may also contact Evie Blum if you are interested in your child participating in the choir 336-765-2331 ext. 1304 or evie@newphilly.org. All children are welcome to participate!
The Bells of Joy meet every Thursday evening to practice and enjoy fellowship with each other as we work through a variety of music to enhance the worship experience for the NPMC congregation. The members of our hand bell choir come from a variety of musical backgrounds, but each of us enjoys creating music as a part of our ministry to the church. Our director, Terri Queen, is a delightful leader, always eager to guide and challenge us. Music is a wonderful way to worship our Lord and Savior, and we are so happy to be a part of the music program at New Philadelphia.
The records kept by the early Moravian settlers in Forsyth County record the arrival of a shipment that included brass horns that were immediately put to use in the Bethabara community. New Philadelphia continues the tradition of using instrumental music as a significant part of the worship experience. The church band provides a prelude before the 9:30 a.m. worship service each Sunday. Worshipers enjoy hearing the traditional hymns of the Moravian Church as well as other more recent hymns as they arrive and are seated. The band also provides special music on Church Festival occasions particularly during the Christmas and Easter seasons. The Band is also committed to supporting funeral services of members within this and other Moravian congregations by playing music in the graveyard before, during, and after committal services.
Beginning and intermediate band classes are also offered Home Church on Tuesday evenings for those who might be interested in learning to play a band instrument; check the Home Moravian Church website for details.
The low brass ensemble is a group of band members using trombones, baritone horns, and tubas to perform. This carries on a tradition where trombone choirs playing the traditional four-part harmony were a common ensemble in the Moravian Church. The New Philadelphia low brass ensemble usually provides a prelude for the 11:30 a.m. service and performs at other special services during the year.
