Chancel Choir
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The FUMC Chancel Choir is a non-auditioned choir for those who want to explore music as a part of their spiritual life in a more active way. This choir provides music for the 10:30am Sunday service and prepares music with brass and string ensembles for Easter and Christmas. This choir also builds community through various events like a choir retreat, meals together during certain seasons, parties and more!
This choir is open to high school students and adults, no prior experience required.
Sharing your voice with our community is a gift and we would love for you to join us!
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Chancel Choir
September-MayRehearsals: Every Thursday, 7-8:30pm
Service: Sundays at 10:30 am; arrive at 9am
Additional rehearsals during Christmas and Easter seasonsSummer Choir
June-AugustService: Sundays at 10:30 am; arrive at 9am
No Thursday Rehearsals -
Anyone who would like to volunteer their time to be a choir member as a part of their spiritual life at FUMC is welcome to join us! All we ask is that members do their best to attend rehearsals when they are able and communicate absences so the director can plan ahead with appropriate music selections or can find substitute singers when necessary. To learn more about joining the choir, click the button below!
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FUMC regularly hires interns to sing with our choir year round. These members do not have to be members of the church but currently enrolled as a student in the choral program at Portland State University. They must possess exemplary musicianship skills and sight reading abilities and must be regularly available for rehearsals and Sunday Services. If you are interested in becoming a paid intern, please reach out to our Director of Music & Chancel Choir Director; Allison Cottrell or Ethan Sperry at PSU.
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FUMC hires professional singers at times to allow our choir to provide the congregation with musical experiences that enhance their spiritual life. These instances might be the singing of a large sacred work, singing pieces with brass or strings, for challenging repertoire requiring large choirs, or as substitutes for our regular section leaders.
If you are interested in being on our call list please contact Allison Cottrell to audition and fill out this form. Singers will be called at least 2 weeks in advance and are paid per service/rehearsal.
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All positions are currently filled.
Groundswell Singers
Rising Together, Voice by Voice
The Groundswell Singers is our new choir for kids and teens - ages 3 through high school. Whether your child is just learning to carry a tune or has been singing for years, there's a place for them here. Rehearsals will mix musicianship with genuine fun - kids will learn to match pitch, sing in harmony, read music, and perform with confidence, all while building friendships across a wide age range.
Groundswell Singers will sing regular Introits at our 10:30 services, perform anthems throughout the year in worship services and as we grow, sing at community events! Rehearsals will be on Sundays from 9:45-10:15am in room 133 and/or the Chapel.
Parents: we know an early start can be tough. While your kids rehearse, feel free to check out our adult education options happening at the same time, or head to the narthex for coffee and fellowship!
Chancel Bells
Intergenerational Bell Choir
The Chancel Bells Handbell Choir at First United Methodist Church of Portland serves to enhance our worship experience, provide opportunities for musical growth, and work together to present challenging repertoire in each service in which we ring. We also meet to have fun together! Chancel Bells rehearse for one hour every Sunday just after Coffee Hour from 12:00-1:00 pm in room 130. We are an inter-generational group, with ringers from age 9 and up ringing together! FUMC has a full five-octave handbell and chime set. Ringers prepare selections for four worship services each year, playing for the Prelude and the Offertory. No experience is necessary- we’ll teach you! Please contact Ricky Mitchell If you have any questions about joining!
Chancel Chimes
Bell Choir for Young Ringers
Chancel Chimes are new!! Beginning September 27, Chancel Chimes are for younger, less experienced ringers ages 9 and up who wish to learn more about ringing techniques, gain experience in reading and performing handbell music, and have fun! Chancel Chimes will meet starting September 27 with the Chancel Bells from 12:00-1:00 pm Sundays in the Bell Room (Room 130). Chancel Chimes members learn using handchimes and ring the same music as the Chancel Bells. For more information, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Ricky Mitchell!
Music Committee
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The work of the Music Committee at FUMC is “To support the Director of Music and the FUMC choirs, assist with the music ministry of the church, and recommend long-range physical and spiritual needs of the music program and the congregation.”
The Music Committee has three areas of focus through the following sub-committees:
> Events
> Outreach
> Friends of Music
Friends of Music “exists to sustain, strengthen, and financially support the music at FUMC and community outreach music programs through fundraising activities and events.”
If you are interested in being a part of the Music Committee,
please talk with Kirk Wimmer, any committee member or call the church office.
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Music Committee Chair
Kirk Wimmer
Event Sub-Committee
Gail Douglas
Outreach Sub-Committee
Ronnee Edwards
Friends of Music Sub-Committee
Janet Brockman
Kayla Carruth
Shelly Edwards
Pam Mitchell
Ricky Mitchell
Kelly Qualls
Jeanne Teisher
Carol Young