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VUU Music Ministries

Kellie Walker

Kellie Walker -- Director of Music Ministries 

What kind of music program do you have at VUU?
The music program here is considered a ministry, and is probably one of our strongest programs, built up over many years.  I started volunteering with music at VUU in the fall of 1991, and have been officially on staff here since about 1993.

We have an adult choir of about 35 members and they rehearse on Wednesday evenings in the sanctuary from 7:30 to 9:00 pm and sing for church services about twice a month, as well as some evening special events.  They sing mostly 4-part music in a variety of styles, including classical, gospel, world music, folk, jazz, and pop.

  Adult Choir
 Children's Choir Our Children’s Choir, the Chalice Singers, is open to 1st-6th graders and rehearses from 6:15 to 7:00 pm on Wednesdays, also in the sanctuary.  They usually begin the end of September and rehearse until mid-December.  Then, after a long break, they rehearse again February through usually sometime in April.  They perform about once a month for church services and also on Christmas Eve and the Seder Dinner. 
Music is an important part of our worship services and besides the choirs, we use the gifts of many different people (mostly volunteer church members) through solos and small groups, both instrumental and choral.  I also think that congregational singing is very important, so spend time teaching and encouraging the congregation to feel comfortable with group singing.  Kellie Drum
What makes the music program a ministry? 
We think of the musical offerings during services as more than just performances, but as integral parts of worship.  They can help set a mood, facilitate transition, build community, enhance a theme, and communicate emotion in a powerful way that often words do not.  Also, various musical offerings allow members to serve the community by developing and using their special gifts.  I particularly like to help develop the gifts of children or those who have not performed much, and help them become more comfortable and skilled at sharing their talent.

We are also developing more music outreach programs.  I have occasionally visited the sick or dying to sing with them, and hope to train others to do more of this, so that we can really offer this as a music ministry.  We are also looking for ways to provide more music in the community, either as small groups performing at places such as nursing homes, or providing community music and arts classes and special events here at our church.

How does one become involved in Music Ministry at VUU and do I have to be a performer?
The best way is to talk to me or someone else from our Music Ministry Team.   And no, you do not have to be a performer.  For some of our special events, such as our annual fall Cabaret, we are looking for people that like to cook, have artistic talents for making fliers or posters or helping with décor, or have other skills such as computer skills.  And we are often in need of people to help work on publicity.  Volunteering to help with set-up and clean-up are always good ways to have fun and meet other people without making a large, on-going commitment of time.

And, of course I am always looking for musical performers, but also for dancers and actors.  And even if you are not comfortable as a solo performer, there are several groups that welcome relatively inexperienced performers.  For instance, we even have drumming for the high school class once a month.  Feel free to talk to us more about ways to become involved!  Contact Music Ministries.