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.
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 203
Brent Manley, Director
Westminster Ringers (Adults)
Thursdays, 6:15-7:15 p.m., Room 203
Brent Manley, Director
Music Events
CONCERT BY THE WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE CHOIR
Sunday, March 12, 4:00 p.m.
A freewill offering will be collected.
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 9
Identical Services – 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Westminster Choir, Oakwood Brass with percussion
MAY FESTIVAL OF RELIGIOUS ARTS “Stories and Songs of Light and Life”
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 19, 20 and 21
Saturday, May 20, 1:30 – 4:00 Open rehearsal – Choir and Orchestra See and hear how the musicians prepare for the Festival Concert.
Sunday, May 21 10:00 a.m. – Worship 11:30 a.m. - Intergenerational Drama by Friends of the Groom
4:30 p.m. - Concert Preview
5:30 - Supper under the tent*
7:00 p.m. - Festival Concert Jeremy Winston, Guest Tenor Soloist Jeremy Winston is founder and conductor of the Jeremy Winston Chorale and Director of Worship and the Arts for the Kettering Adventist Church. Gloria (Twelfth Mass) - Mozart Sanctus (St. Cecilia Mass) - Gounod Panis Angelicus - Franck Preludio Sinfonico - Puccini Gaelic Blessing - Rutter Kyrie and Gloria from Messa di Gloria - Puccini Westminster Festival Choir with orchestra Additional events to be announced.
KNOX CHOIR SEND-OFF CONCERT
Sunday June 11, 11:30 a.m.
A farewell concert as the Knox Choir (grades 7-12) prepares to leave for a ten-day concert tour of the northeast.
DINNER THEATER
Friday, June 16, 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 18, 12:00 noon
Brian Sharp, Director
"The Interview” by Faye Sholiton
MADD DAYS AT WESTMINSTER
July 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Music, Art, Dance, Drama Day Camp Grades 3-8 (as of fall 2023) 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 2022 - Wednesdays October 5, 12, 19, 26
Ash Wednesday February 22
Lent 2023 - Wednesdays March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
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.
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.
