DGFUMC Music

Chancel Choir

Chancel Choir Spring Cantata

The Chancel Choir is the adult choir of the First United Methodist Church, Downers Grove. It provides music each week for the 11:00am service and performs two cantatas each year at Christmas and in the spring. New members are most cordially invited!

The Chancel Choir goals are to:

  • Provide music for Christ-centered worship that stimulates the hearts and minds of singers and congregation.
  • Provide service opportunities for singers to give of their talents to the church community.
  • Include a variety of choral styles of quality choral literature which accommodate the talents and limitations of the choir membership.
  • Feature anthems and responses that address sermon themes and liturgical seasons.
  • Provide two special services (cantatas and themed programs) annually.
  • Provide a supportive, friendly social community for choir members.
Age Range: 
Adult
Choir Director: 
Diane Hires
Rehearsal Time: 
Beginning September 4, 2019 - Thursdays, 7:30pm to 9:10pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Fellowship Hall
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 09/08/2019 - 10:00
Sun, 09/15/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 09/22/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 09/29/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 10/06/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 10/13/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 10/20/2019 - 10:00
Sun, 10/27/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 11/03/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 11/10/2019 - 10:00
Sun, 11/17/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 11/24/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 12/01/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 12/08/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 12/08/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 12/15/2019 - 11:00
Tue, 12/24/2019 - 21:00
Sun, 01/12/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 01/19/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 01/26/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 02/02/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 02/09/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 02/16/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 02/23/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 03/01/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 03/08/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 03/15/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 03/29/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 04/05/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 04/12/2020 - 09:30
Sun, 04/12/2020 - 11:00
Sun, 04/19/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 05/03/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 05/10/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 05/17/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 05/24/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 05/19/2019 - 10:00
Sun, 05/24/2020 - 10:00

Chapel Choir

Chapel ChoirThe Chapel Choir has a rich history at First United Methodist Church. Since 1960, this choir led Sunday worship at the 9:30 service during the school year. They now collaborate with other choirs during the 10:00 a.m. service. The Chapel Choir is open to all high school youth regardless of musical abilities or background. You can start at any time throughout the year! 

For the past 48 years, the choir has participated on a week-long Spring Break musical trip spreading God’s message in words and song to congregations throughout North America, including such places as New York City, Boston, Denver, St. Simon’s Island, Memphis, Pensacola, Nashville, Toronto, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Ft. Worth, New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Wilmington, and many communities in between. The 2020 tour was suspended due to the coronovirus pandemic and will likely not take place in 2022. 

Choir members practice Sunday morning after the 10:00 a.m. worship service in preparation for concerts. Members also give their time through fundraising and mission trip activities at church. The youth are actively involved at their schools in athletics, speech, band, choir, dance, and many clubs.

The Chapel Choir goals are to:

  • Share our faith in Jesus Christ through our music and our actions.
  • Learn to participate in the leading of a Worship Service.
  • Grow in our music skills through our rehearsal and performance schedule.
  • Develop new relationships within our own group
  • Learn to participate in and contribute to a large, diversified group.

The Chapel Choir typically rehearses on Sundays from 11:15 to 12:00 p.m.

Choir Director: 
Nick Loos, Director
Rehearsal Time: 
Sundays, 11:30pm to 12:15pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Chapel Hall
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 09/26/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 10/03/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 10/10/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 10/17/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 10/24/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 10/31/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 11/07/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 11/14/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 11/21/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 11/21/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 11/28/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 12/05/2021 - 10:00
Sun, 01/09/2022 - 10:00
Sun, 01/16/2022 - 10:00
Sun, 01/23/2022 - 10:00

Connection Choir

Exceptions to Normal Rehearsal Times are:

Feb. 26, Mar. 4, 11 and 18  - Extended Rehearsal for Cantata - 5:00 - 6:30 pm rehearsals

Age Range: 
Grades Six, Seven & Eight
Choir Director: 
Nick Loos
Rehearsal Time: 
Wednesdays, 5:45pm to 6:30pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Fellowship Hall
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 09/25/2022 - 10:00
Sun, 10/23/2022 - 10:00
Sun, 11/13/2022 - 10:00
Sat, 12/24/2022 - 07:00
Sun, 03/19/2023 - 10:00

Chorister Choir

Exceptions to normal rehearsal times are:

Feb. 26, Mar. 4, 11 and 18  - Extended Rehearsals for Children's Cantata

Warm Ups when Chorister Choir sings in worship are 1/2 hour before the worship time

Age Range: 
Grades Four & Five
Choir Director: 
Nick Loos
Rehearsal Time: 
Wednesdays, 5:00pm to 5:45pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Fellowship Hall
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 10/06/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 10/20/2019 - 10:00
Sun, 11/10/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 12/08/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 12/08/2019 - 11:00
Tue, 12/24/2019 - 16:00
Sun, 02/02/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 03/01/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 03/22/2020 - 10:00

Cherub Choir

Cherub Choir Rehearsals are 5:00 - 5:45 pm every Wednesday

When the Cherub Choir sings in a service, they will warm up in Chapel Hall 1/2 hour before the service.

Age Range: 
Kindergarten and Grades One & Two
Choir Director: 
Debbie Phillips
Rehearsal Time: 
Wednesdays, 5:00pm to 5:45pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Chapel Hall
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 10/06/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 10/20/2019 - 10:00
Sun, 11/10/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 12/08/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 12/08/2019 - 11:00
Tue, 12/24/2019 - 16:00
Sun, 02/02/2020 - 09:30
Sun, 03/22/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 04/12/2020 - 11:00

Chorister Choir

Chorister Choir Rehearsals are 5:00 - 5:45 pm every Wednesday

 

Exceptions to normal rehearsal times are:

October 31, 2018 - Halloween - No Rehearsals

November 21, 2018 - Thanksgiving Eve - No Rehearsal

December 5, 12 and 19, 2018 - Christmas Eve Family Service Reading Rehearsals for children with reading parts  - 4:30 - 5:00 pm

December 5, 12 and 19, 2018 - Extended Rehearsals for Christmas Eve Family Service

December 26, 2018 - No Rehearsal - Christmas Break

January 2, 2019 - No Rehearsal - Christmas Break

March 28, 2018 - No Rehearsal - Spring Break

April 10, 17 and 24 - Extended Rehearsals for Children's Cantata for Cherub Choir - Time TBD

Chorister Choir will warm up in Chapel Hall 1/2 hour before they sing in worship.

 

Age Range: 
Grades 3, 4 and 5
Choir Director: 
Becky Kriz
Rehearsal Time: 
Wednesdays, 5:00pm to 5:45pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Fellowship Hall
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 09/30/2018 - 11:00
Sun, 10/28/2018 - 10:00
Sun, 11/18/2018 - 09:30
Mon, 12/24/2018 - 16:00
Sun, 02/03/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 03/17/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 05/05/2019 - 11:00
Sun, 05/05/2019 - 09:30
Sun, 12/02/2018 - 09:30
Sun, 12/02/2018 - 11:00

Angel Choir

If your child has turned 3 years of age on or before September 1, 2019, we invite you to let them join the Angel Choir.

Registration Information

The first rehearsal for our Angel Choir will be on Wednesday, September 11h at 4:30 pm. Debbie Phillips will be returning as Angel Choir director and Dave Sandfort as our accompanist.

Your family should have received a Sunday School and Choir information letter which included a choir registration card. If you don't receive it, please contact Andi Kinsella.

When you receive the Information Packet in August, mail or bring the registration card, along with the $10 choir fee, to the church office before September 11th or bring to the Parlor on September 11th between 4:00 – 4:20 pm.  Rehearsal will begin that day at 4:30 pm.

Age Range: 
Pre-Kindergarteners (3, 4, and 5 year olds)
Choir Director: 
Debbie Phillips
Rehearsal Time: 
Wednesdays at 4:30 to 5:00pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Room 16
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 10/20/2019 - 10:00
Tue, 12/24/2019 - 16:00
Sun, 02/23/2020 - 10:00
Sun, 04/12/2020 - 11:00

Westminster Ringers

Performs periodically at the 9:30 and 11:00am services throughout the school year. The Westminster Handbell Ensemble travels to play preconcert and intermission music for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Concert, as well as performing at home for our own FUMC Handbells Christmas and Spring Extravaganzas.

If you are interested in ringing handbells, this is the place to be!

Handbells Mission Statement:

The Westminster Handbell Ensemble and Chancel Ringers of FUMC worship God through music.

We celebrate teamwork and imagination in handbell ringing.
We play a wide range of styles.
We love to share in morning worship.
We love to worship through concerts presented ~~
             Annual Hanging of the Greens Christmas and Spring Ring Concerts.

Choir Director: 
Pattie Barnes
Rehearsal Time: 
Sundays, 5:15 to 7:15pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Bell Choir Room #117
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 09/17/2017 - 11:00
Sun, 11/12/2017 - 09:30
Sun, 11/12/2017 - 11:00
Sat, 11/18/2017 - 19:00
Sun, 01/28/2018 - 09:30
Sun, 01/28/2018 - 11:00
Sun, 03/18/2018 - 09:30
Sun, 03/18/2018 - 11:00
Sat, 05/19/2018 - 19:00
Sun, 09/17/2017 - 09:30

Chancel Ringers

Performs at the 9:30 and 11:00 am services periodically throughout the school year. The Chancel Ringers have performed as preconcert and intermission music for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Concert and for the last 12 years have joined the West Towns Barbershop Chorus in their captivating and elaborate multi-performance Christmas Production at the Tivoli Theater. The Chancel Ringers also perform a home Christmas Concert as well as Spring Extravaganza.

If you are interested in ringing handbells, this is the place to be!

Handbells Mission Statement:

The Westminster Handbell Ensemble and Chancel Ringers of FUMC worship God through music.

We celebrate teamwork and imagination in handbell ringing.
We play a wide range of styles.
We love to share in morning worship.
We love to worship through concerts presented ~~
                Annual Hanging of the Greens Christmas and Spring Ring Concerts.

Choir Director: 
Pattie Barnes
Rehearsal Time: 
Wednesdays, 7:00 to 9:00pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Bell Choir Room #117
Performance Dates: 
Sun, 09/24/2017 - 09:30
Sun, 09/24/2017 - 11:00
Sun, 10/15/2017 - 09:30
Sun, 10/15/2017 - 11:00
Sun, 11/19/2017 - 19:00
Sun, 02/18/2018 - 09:30
Sun, 02/18/2018 - 11:00
Sun, 04/08/2018 - 09:30
Sun, 04/08/2018 - 11:00
Sat, 05/19/2018 - 19:00

Worship Band

Worship Band

The Worship Band brings a contemporary flavor to the music at the 10:00 a.m. service on occasional Sundays, adding some rhythm and soul to the worship experience. The Worship Band is made up of volunteers from the congregation community, with Carolyn Donnelly (flute) directing.

Choir Director: 
Carolyn Donnelly

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9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

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God, as known to us in Jesus Christ, welcomes all.

We welcome people of any race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social or economic status, employment status, or life situation; including people with physical or mental illness or disability.

We practice loving acceptance of each person and respectful discussion
Reconciling Ministries Network of our differences.

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Upcoming Events

Worship Service

April 2, 2023 - 8:30am

Maundy Thursday Service

April 6, 2023 - 7:00pm

Good Friday Tenebrae Service

April 7, 2023 - 7:30pm

Easter Egg Hunt

April 8, 2023 - 9:00am

Easter Worship Service

April 9, 2023 - 10:00am

more events...

First United Methodist Church 1032 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 - Phone: 630.968.7120 - E-mail: dgfumc@dgfumc.org

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