Treble Choir
The First UMC Treble Choir is for our youngest singers, from kindergarten through fifth grade. This group rehearses during the school year on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Choristers in this group can expect to learn the fundamentals of music theory and church teachings through song and other interactive games and activities. The Treble Choir sings on the first Sunday of each month in traditional and contemporary worship. A small group for parents, coordinated by Rev. Denna Hornby, is also available during rehearsals.
Parish Youth Choir
First United Methodist Church has a longstanding tradition of strong youth choirs. This choir for youth grades 6-12 leads the 8:45am traditional service. Rehearsals are held every Sunday at 5:00pm in the choir room with the option to get dinner and participate in youth activities afterward. If you or someone you know in grades 6 through 12 enjoys singing, please contact Josh Sumter at jsumter@fumcor.org to express interest in joining the Parish Youth Choir.
Parish Adult Choir
The Parish Adult Choir, consisting of approximately 35 singers, has performed at the Holston Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Tennessee American Choral Directors Association Conference, the Washington National Cathedral, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The choir has commissioned anthems by David L. Brunner, Austin Lovelace, Alfred Fedak, and Alice Parker.
The Parish Adult Choir leads worship at our 11:00 a.m. traditional services and contributes to other services, including Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, an Advent service of remembrance, and one or two services of evensong each year. The choir also presents Christmas concerts and masterworks. Anyone who loves to sing is welcome to join this hard-working group. Rehearsals take place every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., except during June and July. Contact Josh Sumter at jsumter@fumcor.org for more information.
Wesley Singers
This chamber choir, part of the Parish Adult Choir, leads worship at the 8:45 a.m. services and typically includes 12 to 15 singers. The Wesley Singers lead the 8:45 a.m. service and continue singing through most of the 11:00 a.m. service. As a subset of the Parish Adult Choir, they have the same repertoire and meet at the same time on Wednesday evenings.
Schola Cantorum
This ensemble is a new addition to our music ministry in an effort to increase the scope of choral music offered at First United Methodist Church. The Schola Cantorum takes its name from a choir of highly trained singers formed by Pope Gregory I in medieval Rome and is a small ensemble of eight singers, including our four staff singers. The remaining four slots are open for auditions by any current member of the parish adult choir.
Repertoire for this ensemble is to include medieval and Renaissance polyphony, Gregorian and plainsong chant, as well as other music that lends itself to small groups with tight harmonies. As of now, this group will contribute to worship with Psalm chanting in Advent and Lent, with an occasional anthem, and will offer one or two services of Compline each year.
Festival & Christmas Choirs
The FUMC Festival Choir, also known as the Christmas Choir in the fall, is a seasonal choir that typically presents one or two concerts each year with a full orchestra. It is an extension of the Parish Adult Choir and is open to anyone in the Oak Ridge area. This choir is an excellent option for those who love to sing but cannot commit to singing every Sunday or for those who attend other churches. The most recent performance featured Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living with the choirs of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal and United Church: Chapel on the Hill. When in session, the choir meets each Wednesday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the choir room. To find out about the choir’s next performance, contact Josh Sumter at jsumter@fumcor.org.