Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church presents Ralph Vaughan Williams' cantata Hodie (This Day) at the 9:30am and 11:00am services on Sunday, December 4. This is  Vaughan Williams' last major choral work, a vivid setting of the Nativity story interwoven with Christmas poetry by Milton, Hardy, and George Herbert. The music encompasses a wide variety of styles, from serene mysticism and pastoral solos to thrilling brass fanfares and choral climaxes. The work, which was composed for the Three Choirs Festival in England and premiered in Worcester Cathedral in 1954, will be performed by our 65-voice choir and soloists accompanied by full orchestra, all led by Diane Hires.

Please plan a morning with family and friends to celebrate Advent Season and splendid music together. 

Angel, Cherub, Chorister, Connection, Chapel and Chancel choirs will all join voices in the 9:30 and 11:00 services for Choir Dedication Sunday. Choir members and parents will receive specific instructions from their directors regarding rehearsals. Please come to celebrate the wonderful music legacy we enjoy in our church. Combined choirs will be featured on “How Can I Keep From Singing”, arranged by Gwyneth Walker, and Chapel and Chancel choirs will join efforts on “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Giulio Caccini.

Written in 1888, the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré is the most popular European cantata from this period. He wrote it “simply for the pleasure of it.” Fauré, encouraged by his teacher Saint-Saens to write in his own style, created lyrical melodies which are simple and compelling. He was organist at the prestigious Madeleine Church in Paris and served as a teacher of composition and director of the Paris Conservatory.

The Requiem will be performed by the 60-voice Chancel Choir under the direction of Diane Hires. Guest baritone Jeffrey Ray and our own Karen Owen will be the featured soloists. A chamber orchestra of 15 instrumentalists including organist Pattie Barnes will accompany the choir.