Music

musicWestminister Presbyterian Church enjoys a rich and enthusiastic music program led by a talented staff of musicians. If you are interested in any of our music programs, please contact the church office at 936-564-0203.

Adult Choir
Deborah Dalton, DMA, Director
James Pitts, Organist

The Adult Choir sings anthems, responses, and special music for Sunday Worship. This 32-member choir is open to anyone who wants to “Make a joyful noise!” There are no auditions and everyone is welcome.

This community of believers is quick to welcome newcomers into the fold, and many college students from SFA have sung with us during their years in Nacogdoches.

Rehearsals are Wednesday nights in the Sanctuary from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and Sunday mornings in the Choir Room at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday night rehearsals are suspended during the summer months and our rehearsals on Sunday are moved to 10:15 a.m.

The Adult Choir presents two major works during Worship each year: one during Advent and one on Maundy Thursday. Examples are Faure Requiem, Rutter Requiem, Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio, and Vivaldi Gloria.

Children’s/Cherub Choirs
Parents interested in children’s choir should contact the church office. In the past, our children’s choir sang during Sunday Worship a few times a year including Fall, Christmas, Winter, Palm Sunday, and May. Parents often join the group or they simply enjoy and extended time of fellowship while the children are rehearsing.

Westminster Hand Bell Choir
Myra McNellie, MA, Director

Enjoying music, preparing for worship, and having fun are the goals of the Westminster Hand bell Choir. Several of the group’s members have been playing together since Westminster purchased hand bells in 1999. The ringers play three octaves of Schulmerich bells.

Hand bell members rehearse each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. from mid-August through mid-May. An Introduction to Hand Bells class meets at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. This class will include some music reading and technique methods for those who are interested in moving into the hand bell group at a later time.

The Westminster Hand bell Choir is grateful to members of our church who have provided funds and support for the opportunity to worship through music.

For further information, please contact the church office at 936-564-0203.

James Pitts, Organist
In 1979, the congregation purchased a 17-rank Schantz pipe organ to replace the worn out four-rank Kilgen organ that had served the church for 30 years. The Schantz family, who founded the organ company in 1873, is descended from the original German family that came to America and began making organs 135 years ago in Orrville, Ohio.

The organ has a good deal of handwork that complements the benefits of its modern tooling. The instrument has greater tonal resources than smaller organs and can create a wider range of sounds and moods.

Special Events
Mid-Day Noels
On the first three Thursdays of December, Westminster Presbyterian Church presents the Mid-Day Noel Concert Series during the noon hour. Various artists and groups present a short concert of seasonal selections in the Sanctuary. The concerts are free but a small fee is charged for the luncheon. These concerts are a “Christmas Present” from Westminster to Nacogdoches and folks look forward to the concerts each year.