|
Overview
Binkley’s congregation loves to sing. Supported by choirs and instrumentalists, the congregation relies on the ability to sing hymns and other songs that give voice to the many human emotions and experiences we encounter as individuals and as a community. The congregation participates as singers, listeners, viewers, and through corporate movement.
Children, Youth, and Adult choirs are an important aspect of musical life at Binkley. All people, age kindergarten through adult, are invited to share their voices in musical leadership. Choirs strive to demonstrate the beauty that can happen when a community operates harmoniously together. They provide a container for each member to experience his or her individual voice in the context of a group. They are instruments of praise, both for those who sing and for those who listen.
Choir members build strong community in the process of rehearsals, and they support the broader community through prayer and care.
Instrumentalists come together at different times during the year to support worship. Handbell players, woodwind and string players, and pianists from the congregation contribute solos and ensemble music both in regular services and for special events.
Music Committee
The Music Committee oversees the music programs of the church, as they relate to worship and as they support the community in other ways. Comments and requests about Binkley’s music program should be directed to the Music Committee members, who work directly with the Minister of Music and Organist.
2008-2009 Music Committee
Jane Walters, Chair
Gretchen Aylsworth
Brian Graves Chuck Hinnant
Myra Knight Lynn Marshall
Hannah Osborne Debby Pyatt Leandra Merea Strope, Minister of Music
Bo Lloyd, Organist
CHOIRS
Expectations of Singers
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is an SATB ensemble charged with weekly leadership of worship music. They present one or more anthems each week and provide leadership of an entire service at least twice each year. This ensemble is a central part of the worship life of the congregation, both being central in the experience of worship and including prayer for the broader Binkley community each week as part of rehearsal.
Music is selected from a varied and ever-expanding repertoire of gospel, spiritual, jazz, and classical of the past five centuries and today. This ensemble sings in various foreign languages.
Members of this ensemble range from professional singers to first-time choristers; repertoire is chosen and rehearsals are run hoping to challenge and draw on the strengths of each singer. All adults, 18 and older, are welcome to sing with this ensemble.
The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 until 9:00, September through June, and leads worship services September through July.
Youth Choir
The Youth Choir rehearses on Sunday evenings from 5:00 until 6:00, and participates in worship leadership approximately once each month, during the academic year. Following rehearsals, youth meet the Youth Group for dinner and a program. Youth in 6th through 12th grades are welcome to sing in this ensemble.
Children’s Choirs
Families of Children’s Choir members eat lunch together each Sunday following worship.
Older Children’s Choir
The Older Children’s Choir rehearses on Sundays from 1:30 until 2:30, and participates in worship approximately once each month, during the academic year. Children in grades 2 through 5 are welcome to sing in this ensemble.
The Older Children’s Choir learns many pieces to present in worship, concentrating on good singing, musical expressiveness, and ensemble. Members develop ability to understand and follow increasingly complex musical scores by reading and discussing notation. This choir is challenged to sing in parts. They also are challenged to develop understanding of and to become more deeply engaged in the process of worship at Binkley.
Younger Children’s Choir
The Younger Children’s Choir rehearses on Sundays from 12:45 until 1:30, and participates in worship approximately once each month, during the academic year. Children in Kindergarten and 1st grade are welcome to sing in this ensemble.
The Younger Children’s Choir focuses on developing a love for singing. Children sing many songs, play games related to counting and musical expression, play instruments, acquaint themselves with aspects of musical notation and begin reading from musical scores.
OTHER ENSEMBLES
Band!
Binkley’s band was developed in the Moravian style. Wind players of all experience levels come together once each month to play outdoors as the congregation gathers at the church. This ensemble is organized and led by Tim Pyatt.
Binkley Ringers
This handbell ensemble has a long history of playing for services and traveling together. Presently this ensemble gathers to play periodically for special events.
Chapel Hill Interpretive Movement Ensemble
Liturgical dance has a twenty-year history at Binkley. Movement provides beauty and gives a grounding in the physical body. It rounds out and completes our experience of worship.
Binkley’s congregation signs the Doxology each week as a way of bringing our bodies into worship and as a way of incorporating another language into our expression.
Hymn Sings
twice each year, giving us a chance to sing old favorites and learn new ones
Women’s Sacred Drumming Circle
meets on the Equinoxes and Solstices
History
services including
Benjamin Britten, Abraham and Isaac
Johannes Brahms, Ein Deutsches Requiem
Benjamin Britten, Rejoice in the Lamb
George Frederic Handel, Messiah
Dave Brubeck, La Fiesta della Posada
Dietrich Buxtehude, Membra Jesu Nostri
Gabriel Fauré, Requiem
Charpentier, Filius Prodigus
Hugo Distler, The Christmas Story
Small operas
Peter Kalusmeyer, Ruth
Gian Carlo Menotti, Amahl and the Night Visitors
Musicals
Godspell
Jesus Christ, Superstar
100% Chance of Rain
Oh Jonah
The Singing Bishop
It’s Cool in the Furnace
Music Outreach
classical concerts - Brooks de Wetter Smith, Caryl Thomason Price, Mike Davis,
hosting Cantari, DCS traveling ensembles, Haitian dancers and singers
coffee house - Jan Smith, Fiddler Dave, Caryl and Mike
Instruments
Handbells
given in honor of Virginia Carver
Schulmerich, four octaves
Organ
in honor of Pearl Francis Seymour, Organist Emerita
Schantz, 21 rank, built in 1987
Sanctuary Piano
in honor of
Kawaii 5’8’’
Staff
Leandra Merea Strope, Minister of Music
Bo Lloyd, Organist
|
