Vocal and Handbell Choirs practice and perform regularly September through May, and visiting artists are often featured during the summer months and special holidays. A variety of instruments may be heard, including organ, piano, guitar, woodwinds, bells, trumpet, percussion, and others.

 

Our instruments include two Casio Privia PX350 stage pianos, a Rodgers 900 three-manual, four-division classical organ with PR-300S sound module, and a Gulbransen baby grand piano.

 

Choir membership is open to all, with no previous musical training required. While participation ideally requires a weekly commitment (excluding summer months), there are plenty of other opportunities for involvement in our music ministry. We are always in need of lay worship hymn leaders, guest instrumentalists, and short-term choir members for special events and seasons such as Christmas and Easter.

 

New voices and bell ringers are always welcome, as are persons who play any type of musical instrument. We encourage students to perform!

 

Music Director Tom Stein studied at Berklee School of Music, where he focused on jazz composition and jazz/contemporary arranging before earning Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education at Northern Illinois University.

 

His primary instrument at NIU was the organ. He comes to us with several years of experience as a church musician and leader of vocal and handbell choirs.

 

He has also worked as a K-12 music teacher in public and parochial schools, and is active as a pianist and music teacher in the northern Illinois region. 

 

Tom assumed the role of our music director on January 1, 2018, and we appreciate the creativity and energy that he brings to this vital ministry.