Music at COHS
Church of the Holy Spirit has made a high priority of investing in music as an integral ingredient of worship, praise and community building since its founding. This has had a great impact on the integrity of the liturgies we celebrate together, church growth, outreach, community building and a vibrant and continually growing music program for all ages.
We are blessed by excellent music which uplifts, and gives depth to, our worship. Our music ministry is highly regarded under the creative and dedicated leadership of Sue Ellen Echard and associate musician Seth Trumbore. We have multiple volunteer choirs that embrace the gifts of children to adults, as well as a 5-octave handbell choir, and many volunteer instrumentalists who offer their talents. The music repertoire is broad and diverse, including traditional Anglican hymns and anthems as well as more contemporary offerings. We are members of the Royal School of Church Music in America . Each year, members of our youth and adult choir members attend the Royal School of Church Music Kings College Course held at St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem). The adult choir has been invited to sing at many locations, including the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City, St. Thomas Episcopal Fifth Ave and also as in-residence choir at Cathedrals in the UK at Bristol, Winchester, Lincoln and at Exeter in 2023. In addition, the choirs have undertaken an intentional outreach ministry and regularly sing for local senior centers, assisted living facilities and nursing homes and at community events.
Our music programs continue to grow and welcome newcomers to our lively and loving choir family. If you are interested in joining any of the choirs please contact our music director, Sue Ellen Echard in the church office.
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Adult Choir Rehearsals Wednesdays 7:30-9:00pm
Our adult choir sings most Sundays from September through early June and at Evensongs throughout the year. We are currently preparing for another UK Cathedral Residency at Exeter summer 2023. The choir welcomes new members every year. Our singers are all very committed volunteers of varied skills and backgrounds from lifelong choristers, adults new to choral singing and those who have studied music in college and been staff singers at other parishes. Contact our music director for more information and to join us.
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God’s Children Sing
Our youngest children now that the opportunity to experience musical formation as part of their Sunday School Experience. You can find more information in our Christian Formation section.
Grades 2 through High School Wednesdays 4:30-5:45pm
Our children and youth choirs rehearse in groups appropriate to the ages of the current group of choristers. Younger choristers generally have a shorter rehearsal while older choristers in middle through high school stay longer. We adapt our Wednesday rehearsals each year to the needs of the group. We follow the training scheme of the Royal School of Church Music for developing well rounded musicianship including music reading, sight singing, Christian education as it pertains to understanding why we sing, service to one another and to our community. Contact our music director, Sue Ellen Echard for more information!
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Handbell Choir
Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pmIn 2008 we added handbells to our growing music ministry. The purchase of these bells was done in memory of a beloved choir member, Chaz Hunsdofer. We started with 4 octaves of Schulmerich handbells. With the successful fund-raising campaign in Chaz’ name and the addition of the Meleny Miller Memorial funds we were able to order our fifth octave of handbells. This group of ringers are experienced players who want the challenge of continuing to improve their skills. The choir has begun to get out in the community and to go to workshops and festivals.
We now have two ensembles, one for adult beginners that meets during the day on a weekday selected by each current group and our more experienced ringers who rehearse on Wednesdays 6-7pm.
