The Arts At FCUCC: Music, Dance, Visual
The Arts Commission is a newly formed, fluid group that does not meet on a regular schedule. We do not have a roster of committee members; rather, we open our meetings to whomever in our church community is interested in attending. While the new bylaws have deemed that Arts has a seat on the Executive Board, and to have two subcommittees, Dance and Music, we are working to define a structure and process that makes the most sense for our tasks, and are beginning that by writing a vision statement. We began a dialogue last summer on the formulation of our vision, and we plan to continue discussion until we arrive at a statement that best reflects our dreams for the Sacred Arts at FCUCC. It took our church a good while to arrive at our congregational mission statement and therefore we are respectful about taking our time with the task.
Music
The music of ministry at FCUCC offers members and visitors many varied opportunities to enrich the weekly worship experience through our varied gifts of music. Our musical tastes range from U-2 to the works of Bach and Handel. Our music program is led by Choirmaster/organist Gary F. Mitchell.
Chancel Choir: This non-auditioned group is open to all people and ranges in age from high school – senior adult. We rehearse weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00PM and provide musical leadership in worship every Sunday from Sept. – May. We meet briefly on Sunday mornings at 10:00 to prepare for our 10:30 service of worship. This group sings a wide variety of literature including: world music, traditional choral standards and early accapella church music.
Special musical services led by this group for 2007 include our Organ Dedication Concert on Sunday evening Sept.30, 2007 and our service of the Creche Sunday morning December 16th., 2007.
Prima Voce: This special group is designed for girls grade 6 – high school. They rehearse weekly at the conclusion of the Sunday morning worship service, 11:30 – 12:15.
Children’s Choir: This group is open to all children age Kindergarten – 5th grade. As the group grows they will be split into more age appropriate groupings. They rehearse every Wednesday evening from 5:30 – 6:15pm Sept. – May, and sing in worship once a month. This years Christmas presentation, by Helen Kemp entitled “Calling All Angels” will be presented on Sunday morning December 9, 2007 during worship.
FCUCC Jazz Group: This small group of musicians occasionally lend their special talents to spice up Sunday worship or an evening Vespers. This group has no set rehearsal time.
Summer Pickup Choir: During the summer months anyone wishing to sing in the Sunday morning choir meets at 9:30AM to prepare something for that days service. This group meets June – August and gives folks who have scheduling problems with regular weekly rehearsals an opportunity to participate in the musical life of the church during the summer months.
Choir retreat: The chancel choir does an annual retreat each year in mid August. Some years this will be a one day event held locally, other years it will be a weekend event out of town, (yet within a 50 mile radius). This gives us an opportunity to preview all the new music for the year and get a head start on learning notes. It’s also a good time to bond with new singers and share stories from our summer adventures.
Child care is available for all rehearsals and worship services.
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Dance
The Dance ministry at FCUCC offers members and visitors many varied opportunities to enrich the weekly worship experience through our varied gifts of Dance. The mission os to honor the sacred, shared intimacy, and celebrate creation through movement and dane. Dance is used in worship as a visual art, in Christian Education as a participatory art, and in small groups and on retreats as part of a spiritual discipline. We use many types of dance/movement. All ages and stages are welcome to join us —no experience is necessary. There are two groups involved in dance at FCUCC — Dance Committee and Dancing Circle. Anyone can join either group; all dance committee members are part of Dancing Circle.
Visual Arts
The Arts Commission welcomes all who are interested in art in its many forms. You do not have to be "creative" to be a member of ths group. We are seeking ways to express the joy of creation in worship and special events through drama, dance and other visual arts. All skill levels from none to gifted are welcome. All that is required is a joyful spirit and a willingness to try anything once. The ability to organize and be patient are also valued skills for our group. We are giving shape to a new ministry prossibility in our church.
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