Music at Bethany
Music has been a part of Bethany for decades, led by Choir Directors Betsy Wood (Rev. Elizabeth Severance), Fredda Fuqua, Barbara Higgs, with the able assistance of Kelly Higgs and Samuel L. Meares to name a few. The choirs were accompanied by organists, Larry Tipton, Sylvia McCleary, Rose Lane, Dr. Howard Higgs, Barbara Higgs, Samuel L. Meares, Kevin Uppercue, and now presently with Christopher Bagley, having been called as Director of Music in January 2016.
Bethany’s music ministry has long been a wonderful asset to our church and our community. Our choir is small, but has strong singers. Having talented individuals who for the most part know and read music, they can tackle difficult music and master it. We have had incredibly strong and talented music leaders in the life of our congregation. We now have the wonderful leadership of Christopher Bagley to lead us. Mr Bagley has years of different types of music leadership, from musical theater to large community choral organizations. His vast experience brings a unique talent to lead our choir and congregation in music ministry and worship. As our style of worship has remained traditional, congregational hymns are still mainly used, and are when possible paired with the lectionary for the day. The choir's anthems vary from classical, to traditional, gospel, and often spirituals. Bethany also has a “Choir Scholar” program. This program allows the choir to hire local college and sometimes high school students to come and rehearse and sing with the choir. These choir scholars are full time choir members, and are paid through a special fund.
Around 1990, when the youth club was active, a set of handbells were purchased, and a youth club handbell choir was formed. Bethany has periodically had adult handbell choirs over the many years since. In the fall of 2022, our latest group was formed and started playing again for the congregation. The current handbell choir consists of our choir members, as well as several members of our congregation. We currently own, and use, 3 octaves of handbells. The handbell choirs are always extremely well received by the congregation.
For the last several years, usually the weekend before Thanksgiving, we have held a “Brass Sunday”. On Brass Sunday, several friends who play brass instruments, some of whom play professionally, join us to play for worship. Special arrangements of music for the brass to accompany the choir has even been written or arranged just for these occasions. Music on these Sundays adds so much to the service and takes our music to a different level. We have been able to coordinate Brass Sunday with our consecration/stewardship Sunday on some of these occasions. Being able to combine these events has provided an extra level of celebration to such a special event.
Bethany’s music ministry has long been a wonderful asset to our church and our community. Our choir is small, but has strong singers. Having talented individuals who for the most part know and read music, they can tackle difficult music and master it. We have had incredibly strong and talented music leaders in the life of our congregation. We now have the wonderful leadership of Christopher Bagley to lead us. Mr Bagley has years of different types of music leadership, from musical theater to large community choral organizations. His vast experience brings a unique talent to lead our choir and congregation in music ministry and worship. As our style of worship has remained traditional, congregational hymns are still mainly used, and are when possible paired with the lectionary for the day. The choir's anthems vary from classical, to traditional, gospel, and often spirituals. Bethany also has a “Choir Scholar” program. This program allows the choir to hire local college and sometimes high school students to come and rehearse and sing with the choir. These choir scholars are full time choir members, and are paid through a special fund.
Around 1990, when the youth club was active, a set of handbells were purchased, and a youth club handbell choir was formed. Bethany has periodically had adult handbell choirs over the many years since. In the fall of 2022, our latest group was formed and started playing again for the congregation. The current handbell choir consists of our choir members, as well as several members of our congregation. We currently own, and use, 3 octaves of handbells. The handbell choirs are always extremely well received by the congregation.
For the last several years, usually the weekend before Thanksgiving, we have held a “Brass Sunday”. On Brass Sunday, several friends who play brass instruments, some of whom play professionally, join us to play for worship. Special arrangements of music for the brass to accompany the choir has even been written or arranged just for these occasions. Music on these Sundays adds so much to the service and takes our music to a different level. We have been able to coordinate Brass Sunday with our consecration/stewardship Sunday on some of these occasions. Being able to combine these events has provided an extra level of celebration to such a special event.
