Music
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100
Through music at Noel, we strive to encourage everyone to “shout for joy.” Whether it be through participation in any of our choirs or ensembles, or simply from a seat during worship, music is a part of all who come into God’s presence. We strive not only for the highest quality in our music making, but also in evoking the Holy Spirit, so that it might flow freely through our hearts and minds before, during, and after worship each week. If you would like to become more involved in our ministry, please give us a call, or stop by for a visit. Some of the many possibilities to serve and enjoy are listed below.
For more information, contact Bryan Bierbaum at 318-221-5207 or bbierbaum@noelumc.org.
Pathfinders (Childrens’ Choir)
Made up of children from age 4 through the 5th grade, Pathfinders offers great musical experiences. The children sing in worship several times each year and present annual musicals and Christmas Pageants. You may hear the pathfinders rehearsing every Sunday morning from 9:00 – 9:30 AM on the 2nd floor of the Childrens’ Building. They are under the direction of Mary Green.
Youth Choir
For youth in the 6th-12th grades, the Youth Choir has various choral responsibilities during year. In addition to singing in worship, the summer finds them at conferences or on tour to various parts of the country. With a group like this, rehearsals are anything but boring! So give the youth choir a try, come visit us during rehearsal on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 PM in the choir room.
Chancel Choir
This is the primary choir that sings all year in the traditional Sunday worship service. The rehearsals on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM in the choir room are rewarding in many ways. We not only work hard, but we play hard too. We believe that the rehearsal is to be productive, and also therapeutic after a long day at work. In addition to leading in worship, this is the primary choir that performs major choral works each year in the Noel Masterworks Concert Series.
Student Internships
We are proud to offer these positions that are beneficial to both the church and recipient. These are given to area college students who commit to serving Noel’s music ministry during the school year. Currently, there are four of these positions, each named in memory of someone who contributed to the music program in monumental proportions: A.C. Cheesy Voray, Robert Hallquist, Moe and Harriett Middleton, and Jean Allred. The funds are set up as memorials to these individuals, so all contributions are welcome. If you are a student interested in one of these positions, please contact Bryan Bierbaum.
Shekinah Praise Band
Established in 2002, the Shekinah Praise Band offers contemporary music for the N.O.W. worship service. Comprised of guitars, drums, keyboard, voices and more, the praise band contributes to Noel’s high quality of music. They are led by Jonathan Andrews, and rehearse Wednesday evenings in the Fellowship Hall.
Handbells
Noel boasts a five-octave set of Schulmerich handbells and a four-octave set of Malmark hand chimes. There are currently two ensembles that ring regularly in worship. Carillon Bells is an intermediate group of ringers that rehearse on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM. Joyful Noise Bells might have started out as a beginner group, but they are getting better all the time. They rehearse on Thursdays at 1:30 PM. Both groups can also be heard at nursing homes, hospitals, and retirement communities in the area, and they present an annual concert each May called Spring Ring and Ice Cream Fling.
Noel's Masterworks Concert Series
The Noel Masterworks Concert Series presents three or four concerts a year that feature diverse music, ranging from choral classics to opera to Broadway. Sponsored by Mrs. Billie Haacker and the late Dr. Robert Haacker, this series strives to bring excellent music to the community. All concerts are free and open to the public, and a nursery is always provided.