Music
The music program is an integral part of Westminster. Its primary purpose is to enhance the worship experience through inspiring and artistic expression of service and praise to God. Examples of our ministries include:
Our five singing choirs and three handbell choirs. Anyone who wishes to learn, to grow, and to serve can find a place in the music program here.
MADD Days at Westminster, a Christian music, art, dance, and drama day camp for children and youth from the Miami Valley and beyond.
Meditative Taizé Services of songs and prayers in candlelight.
Special events such as noonday concerts, choral vespers, recitals, etc.
Annual Memorial Organ Recital
Sunday, October 8, 4:00 p.m.
James O’Donnell, Organist
Formerly Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, Mr. O’Donnell now holds the post of Professor in the Practice of Organ at Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in New Haven
Connecticut.
In his tenure at Westminster Abbey, Mr. O’Donnell was responsible for all musical aspects of the Abbey’s work, training and conducting the Abbey Choir in its daily choral services, recordings, concerts, and broadcasts and at the great national occasions for which the Abbey is known, including directing the music for the September 2022 State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which was broadcast live throughout the world to an estimated audience of over 4 billion people.
Members and friends of Westminster will once again be given the opportunity to memorialize a loved one by contributing to the Memorial Organ Recital Fund. Those wishing to contribute to the Memorial Recital Fund are asked to use the form below. Donations may also be made using the online form on our website (www.westminsterdayton.org).
The recital will be livestreamed. There will be no on demand streaming after the recital.
The organ console will be visible by way of a large-screen projection system.
The recital is open to the public at no charge.
Choirs
Westminster Choir (Adults)
Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Choir Room
John Neely, Director
Knox Choir (Grades 7-12)
Sundays, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Choir Room
John Neely, Director
Supper and Youth Fellowships follow.
Calvin Choir (Grades 3-6)
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Choir Room
John Neely, Director
Cherub Choir (Grades K-2)
Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Theater
Rachael Boezi, Director
Genesis Singers (Pre-K, ages 4 and 5)
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Room 104
Holly Martin, Director
Knox Ringers (Grades 7-12)
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Room 301
Brent Manley, Director
Westminster Ringers (Adults)
Thursdays, 6:15-7:15 p.m., Room 203
Brent Manley, Director
Music Events
ORGAN RECITAL BY JAMES O'DONNELL
Sunday, October 8, 4:00 p.m.
Formerly Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, Mr. O’Donnell now holds the post of Professor in the Practice of Organ at Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in New Haven Connecticut. In his tenure at Westminster Abbey Mr. O’Donnell was responsible for all musical aspects of the Abbey’s work, training and conducting the Abbey Choir in its daily choral services, recordings, concerts, and broadcasts and at the great national occasions for which the Abbey is known, including directing the music for the September 2022 State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which was broadcast live throughout the world to an estimated audience of over 4 billion people. The recital is open to the public without charge.
NOONDAY ORGAN RECITALS
Thursdays in October, 12:10-12:35 p.m.
October 5 – Trent Sims
October 12 – John Sherer
October 19 – Brent Manley
October 26 – Victor Kovacs
Lunch follows each recital. $7.00
CHORAL VESPERS
Sunday, November 19, 4:00 p.m.
Chichester Psalms – Bernstein
Westminster Choir with Organ, Harp, and Percussion
Handbell Music by the Westminster Ringers
Freewill Offering
5:15 p.m. - Harvest Dinner -Reservations Required
DAYTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS CONCERT
Saturday, December 2, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Kathy Clark, Artistic Director
Members of The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus are committed to living their mission by challenging themselves to continually reach for excellence in choral music.
For ticket information visit www.daytongaymenschorus.org.
ADVENT DINNER, CHORAL PROGRAM
Sunday, December 3
5:00 p.m. – Potluck Dinner
5:45 p.m. – Informal Choral Program Genesis Singers, Cherub, Calvin, and Knox Choirs
SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 10, 10:00 a.m.
All choirs participating.
CONCERT BY THE GEM CITY RINGERS
Sunday, December 10, 4:00 p.m.
Margaret Dill, Director
NOONDAY CAROL SING
Friday, December 15
12:00 Noon—Handbell Music-Westminster Ringers
12:10-12:40 p.m. – Carol singing by all and choral music by the Vocal Ensemble of Xenia High School - Travis Matson, Director
Lunch Follows
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Sunday, December 24
10:00 a.m. – Christmas in the Stable Family Oriented Service Genesis Singers, Cherub, and Calvin Choirs
9:20 p.m. - Prelude
10:00 p.m. – Christmas in the Cathedral Traditional Candlelight Service Westminster Choir, Knox Ringers
PRESBYTERIAN HERITAGE SUNDAY
Sunday, January 21, 10:00 a.m.
With the Miami Valley Pipes and Drums
LENTEN CHORAL VESPERS
Sunday, March 17, 4:00 p.m.
Messe Solennelle – Vierne (for two organs and choir)
Messiah (Selected Choruses) – Handel
Westminster Choir with Organ
Handbell Music by the Westminster Ringers
Freewill Offering
5:15 p.m. - Fellowship Dinner Reservations Required
EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Identical Services – 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Westminster Choir, Oakwood Brass with percussion
NOONDAY ORGAN RECITALS
Four Thursdays in May, 12:10-12:35 p.m.
May 2 – Judy Bede
May 9 – Laura Bottei
May 16 – Fred Chatfield
May 23 – Yun Kim
Lunch follows each recital. $7.00
CONCERT BY THE RIVER’S EDGE BRASS BAND
Sunday, June 9, 3:00 p.m.
The River’s Edge Brass is a Cincinnati based British Brass Band. Members of the ensemble are a highly skilled group of brass and percussionist musicians. Freewill offering.
DINNER THEATER
Friday, June 14, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 16, 12:00 p.m.
Brian Sharp, Director
MADD DAYS AT WESTMINSTER
July 22-26, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Music, Art, Dance, Drama Day Camp Grades 3-8 (as of fall 2024) Choir, Handbells, Orff Instruments, Dance, Drama Cost: $80 For more information contact Brent Manley (brent@westminsterdayton.org or kylie@westminsterdayton.org).
TAIZÉ SERVICES AND LIGHT SUPPERS
See Taizé page for more information
Fall 2023 - Wednesdays, October 4, 11 18, 25
6:00 p.m. - Taize Worship Service
(Sanctuary - concluding at 6:40 p.m.)
6:40 – Light Supper
Ash Wednesday, February 14
12:10 – Service (Sanctuary)
12:40 – Lunch (Fellowship Hall)
Lent 2024 - Wednesdays, February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20
6:00 p.m. - Taize Worship Service
(Sanctuary - concluding at 6:40 p.m.)
6:40 – Light Supper
Click here to visit our Taizé page
Carillon Music
Fridays 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m.
*Reservations necessary Contact Church Office (937-223-7285) For organ recitals, the organ console will be visible by way of a large-screen projection system. Please check Westminster’s website for updates and additional information regarding the music calendar.
Organ Restoration Project
About Our Organ
The Casavant Organ (opus 2670), dedicated in January 1963, was custom designed and built to meet the acoustical and musical requirements of Westminster Church. The organ is really two organs: a Chancel Organ located at the front of the Sanctuary, and a Gallery-Celestial Organ located in the balcony. Each has its own console. Together these organs have over 7,000 pipes arranged in 122 ranks. Every pipe, including those visible from the pews, is a speaking pipe.
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Numerous additions and upgrades have taken place over the history of the organ. Lawrence Stofer is responsible for extensive renovations including new pipework and revoicing. During the summer of 2002, a new console was custom built and installed with state-of-the-art technology by the Walker Technical Company of Zionsville, Pennsylvania. In 2007, a Celestial Division, given in memory of Beatrice Jackson, organist at Clough United Methodist Church in Cincinnati for 65 years, was a gift of her brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Sue Merz. In February 2010, a memorial gift from the family and friends of John Bindeman was given for the installation of a Carillon in the Sanctuary. John (Jack) Bindeman was a longtime, dedicated member of the Westminster Choir. With additional gifts given in memory of numerous individuals, the Carillon was configured to sound outdoors through an opening high in the northeast corner of the building. Currently the organ is undergoing restoration by Hunt-Krewson Pipe Organ Services of Dayton.
