Music

Music

Mission Of The Music Department

Music is a great and glorious gift from God! We believe that if there is to be great music in the world, there is no place more appropriate than in the church.

The Music Ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church is committed to musical excellence as our appropriate offering to God in worship. We believe the purpose of music in worship is to lead and assist the congregation in celebrating the liturgy for the day, proclaiming the Gospel, and experiencing the Word. Church Music should exalt God rather than human feelings. Music should be scripturally grounded and reflect the theme and particular Sunday or season of the church year. Church music must involve the people and creatively seek new means to effectively express the eternal revelations and mystery of God. Through music one’s faith and commitment to the church may grow. Music can be one of the best teachers of Christian education and theology for children, youth, and adults. Therefore, Westminster church and its leaders must continue to support, nurture, and develop our choirs for all ages and insist on music with artistic integrity that is theologically sound and liturgically appropriate.

Please find links in the sidebar for details about all of the ensembles that make up our Ministry of Music. There are choirs for all ages. Within those ensemble descriptions you will find the names and links for contact persons should you need more information on any group. Let us make a joyful noise unto God all you lands! Soli Deo Gloria!
Dr. John W. Semingson, Director of Music Ministries, Sally Mae Arnn, Music Assistant

The Music Committee meets each month, generally the 2nd Monday at 6:00 p.m. Music Committee Members: Sam Levine (Chair), Jennifer Barnes (Session Elder), Kelly Christie, Laurie Cooper, Carol Frist, Rita Hood, Karen Johnson, Jennie Renwick, David Wyckoff, and John Semingson, Director of Music Ministries.

Westminster Choir Recordings

All People That on
Earth Do Dwell
Tune: Old Hundredth by L. Bourgeois, 1561; Words: W. Kethe, 1560

Come Ye, Sinners,
Poor and Needy
Tune: RESTORATION from “Southern Harmony”, 1835

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Tune: HYFRYDOL by R.H. Prichard, 1831; Words: C. Westly, 1747

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Tune: EIN’ FESTE BURG by M. Luther, 1529; Words: M. Luther, 1529; trans. F.H. Hedge, 1852

Laudate Youth Choir

Laudate Youth Choir: 7th – 12th grades About the Laudate Youth Choir For all in 7th-12th grades. Laudate serves as the choir for 8:30 am worship every week during the academic year. Every two years, Laudate embarks on a tour with the most recent trip to Spain in 2022. This choir rehearses 5:00-6:00 pm on Sundays. The Senior High Laudate Choir embarks on a biannual choir tour, singing and performing hands-on mission work. Past tours have included singing for morning…

Westminster Choir

The Westminster Choir is primarily a volunteer “parish choir” made up of college students and all ages of adults. While the choir includes some professional singers and others with formal music training, most members are not professional musicians. They are simply people who love to sing, wish to develop their musical skills, and desire to give their gift of song in service to the worship of God. Choir membership is open to all and only requires an initial voice placement evaluation with the…

Children’s Music Program

The objective of our Children’s Choir program is to give an opportunity for young people of all age levels to develop the art of Christian leadership through music. This comprehensive ministry of education and worship prepares our children for a lifetime of service to the church and encourages them to sing with beauty and sincerity so that the singing of each choir might be a truly inspirational part of worship. The Children’s Choir year runs from September through April. The…