Born in Song!

At Community UMC, you will find a vibrant music ministry that offers opportunities for people of all ages and all musical abilities and backgrounds. Not only will you find hymns and praise music, you will also be inspired by classical, contemporary, gospel, spirituals and music from around the world. There is a place for you! In addition to the listed ensembles, there are numerous opportunities for instrumental and vocal solos and ensembles throughout the year. For more information, contact our Director of Music and Worship planning, Stephen Edwards

Listen to the Community UMC Combined Choirs performing "It Is Well" as arranged by Mark Hayes. This is in the .m4a format, so you may need to download and save it to play it outside your browser. Click here to retrieve the file.

Sanctuary Choir

Sanctuary Choir is Community UMC's premier ensemble. They meet once a week on Thursday nights in the Sanctuary from 7:00-8:30pm. Sanctuary Choir sings three to four times a month in our Sanctuary services and consists of members of all backgrounds. If you love to sing, but do not read music, you are welcome. If you are a professional musician, you are welcome. No matter what your ability, you are welcome. Seniors in high school through senior citizens are encouraged to join this vibrant ensemble.

Sanctuary Choir sings all kinds of music, from Bach to contemporary church literature. Last season we were honored to sing John Rutter's Gloria, along with works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Daniel Gawthrop and Moses Hogan in our final concert. Sanctuary Choir participates in our annual CUMC Christmas Concert and performs an additional concert at the end of each season. This ensemble is led by Stephen Edwards, Director of Music and Worship Planning.

Sanctuary Choir will resume rehearsals soon, and is in need of tenors and basses. Contact Stephen Edwards for more information or to sign up.

OnCenter Band

Piano, guitar (lead and bass), drums and two singers join with the worship leader for weekly contemporary worship in Meiley-Swallow Hall. Please contact Joel Janis for more information.

Women's Ensemble

Women's Ensemble has a long tradition of vibrant, life-giving music. Ladies who are seniors in high school through senior citizens are encouraged to join this ensemble. Women's Ensemble sings on the fourth Sunday of the month and meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays in the choir room from 7:00-8:00pm. In addition to singing on the fourth Sunday, Women's Ensemble also sings in our annual Christmas Concert and on special Sundays throughout the church year. This ensemble is led by Stephen Edwards, Director of Music and Worship Planning.

Rejoice Dancers

Led by Donna Pries, our liturgical dance group, Rejoice Dancers, meets and participates in worship periodically throughout the year. Youth and adults desiring to worship through movement are encouraged to participate.

Bell Choirs

Carillon Choir

Carillon Bells is one of three hand bell ensembles at Community UMC. Led by Eldora Juha, this ensemble meets on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30pm. The ensemble consists of those desiring to lead in worship by playing hand bells. This group plays all kinds of music from classic to contemporary hand bell literature. Carillon Bells plays in worship services once a month and also participates in our annual Christmas Concert.

Open Circle Ringers

Open Circle Ringers is the second of three hand bell ensembles. Led by Dottie Van Marter, this group got its start as a part of the Open Circle Sunday School class. Now, all are welcome to join this ensemble. They meet on Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm and play in the 8:30am worship service on the third Sunday of each month from September through May.

Tower Bells

Toer Bells is our youth hand bell choir. Led by Kevin Markwell, this group consists of youth from 6th-12th grade. Playing all types of exciting and worshipful music, this group leads in worship once a month and meets from September through May. Tower Bells meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30pm.

Youth Choir

Sine Nomine is our youth choir. It consists of youth from sixth to twelfth grade. They meet on Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm in the choir room. This ensemble sings music that speaks to the heart of youth: praise music, spirituals, contemporary Christian, and even some classical music. In addition to singing in our annual Christmas concert, Sine Nomine sings in worship at least once a month, and presents a concert at the end of the season. This ensemble is led by Stephen Edwards, Director of Music and Worship Planning.

Children's Choir

The children's choirs are an extension of our Music Ministry and Christian education. Christian character is taught and developed through participation in the Children's Choir Program. A study program of music, church symbols and seasons, scriptures, and the art of good singing are vital to this program. All Children's Choirs meet on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30pm.

Joyful Noise

Joyful Noise is our preschool choir consisting of children ages 3-5. In this group, children learn the basics to vocal production and the fundamentals of worship. In addition to music, children also do crafts and Bible study on a weekly basis. This group participates in our annual Christmas concert in addition to singing periodically from September through May. This group is led by Amy Hollander and Mary Elliott.

Hosanna Choir

Hosanna Choir is our younger elementary children's choir consisting of 1st through 5th graders. This choir begins to learn about the liturgical calendar and how music is used in worship. They also learn to read music and rhythms. They sing periodically in worship from September to May and participate in our annual Christmas concert. This group is led by Beth Hagemeyer.

Horn Ensemble

Led by Ruth Hamm, this group meets twice a month and consists of French horn players. The horn ensemble has also performed for care centers and with the Naperville Municipal Band. This group plays in worship services periodically throughout the year.