Music & Choirs
Music is a vital aspect of the worship and life of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Our intergenerational program welcomes individuals from all walks of life. The focus of our ministry is to encourage and nurture musicians of all ages, helping them grow in confidence, leadership, and excellence in a supportive and enjoyable environment. We invite you to learn more about the variety of opportunities we have to offer for singing, handbells, brass, and beyond. If you are interested in learning more about and participating in the music ministry, please contact Music Director & Organist, Edie Johnson.
Dr. Edie Johnson, Music Director/Organist
Our Programs
Your Title Goes Here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Chancel Choir
This is Westminster’s adult choir, devoted to advanced choral repertoire and to leading the music of worship, typically at the 11:00 service, each week. The choir will also lead choral evensongs and sing major works with orchestra. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm.
The Westminster Handbell Choir
Repertoire for this choir includes music written for English handbells as well as transcriptions. Occasionally members of this group will accompany other choirs. Many techniques of ringing are utilized, including four-in-hand ringing. Anyone who has the ability to read music is invited to participate. Rehearsals are Thursdays 6:00-7:00pm during the program year.
Kid Song
Kid Song is for children ages 3 – Second Grade
This is offered periodically on Wednesdays from 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Children experience music through songs, games, and movement. They learn hymns used in our worship and basics of music theory through interactive games.
Your Title Goes Here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Treble Choir
Treble Choir is for girls and boys with unchanged voices in grades 3-12. This choir sings anthems alone and with the Chancel Choir throughout the program year. They learn about vocal technique, music theory, and the church year in a fun and engaging environment.
Rehearsal time: Sundays, 3:45- 5:00 p.m.
The Westminster Brass Choir
Westminster Church enjoys music for brass frequently throughout the year. Repertoire from five centuries is played by this choir of brass players college-age and older. Rehearsals are Thursdays 4:30pm-5:30pm.
The Westminster Organs and the Musica Organi Recital Series
An organ recital series, Musica Organi is now in its tenth season, bringing organists from around the world to Knoxville and East Tennessee. The congregation and the community are cordially invited and admission is without charge.
Richards, Fowkes & Company’s Opus 7 organ was installed in the main sanctuary and voiced beginning in September 1998. It was dedicated the following May with a recital given by Robert Clark, who served as the consultant. The organ is 33 ranks, with 25 stops on two manuals and pedal. It is strongly influenced by the work of Arp Schnitger and the North German/Dutch tradition and yet reflects an eclecticism that successfully supports the wide range of musical demands placed on it by the many periods of church music included in worship and concerts at Westminster.
Westminster also has a lovely organ in the back gallery of the Chapel/Fellowship Hall (the original sanctuary of the church). Marty and Frank Marsh gave it to Westminster in 1969 in loving memory of their daughter, Cathy Marsh, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1968. The organ was dedicated on Easter Sunday of 1969. Alfred E.Lunsford of the Schantz Organ Company built the instrument, modeled after North German and Dutch organs of the Baroque period, combining a Schantz console and German pipework. Its 14 ranks of pipes appear as 12 stops on two manuals and pedal.
More information about Musica Organi can be found at www.musicaorgani.org.