Music Ministry : The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

Music Ministry

Music Staff
Joel Martinson – Director of Music Ministry & Organist
972-233-1898, ext. 243 or jmartinson@transfiguration.net

Kim Ahrens – Director of Children’s Choirs
214-707-7838 or kahrens@transfiguration.net

Chris Ahrens – Director of Youth Choir
469-752-7930 or cahrens@transfiguration.net

Section Leaders of the Transfiguration Choir

Volunteers Positions

About the Choirs
All of our music staff – Joel Martinson, Kimberley Ahrens, and our new youth choir director, Chris Ahrens – are looking forward to another great year of service through the Ministry of Music at Transfiguration! Our new Richards, Fowkes & Co. organ is complete, the choirs are back in their spaces on the second floor of the Church Life Center South, and we are ready to work with old and new members toward a wonderful year of music-making in the service of God and the people of Transfiguration.

We are eager for you to join us by participating in the choir or ensemble of your choosing. Please read the descriptions of the various groups printed on the following pages and feel free to contact the appropriate director via telephone or email for additional information.

Children’s Choirs

We have two choirs for children, from kindergarten through seventh grades. These choristers learn the fundamentals of choral singing and receive formation in the music and worship traditions of The Episcopal Church. All that is required is a love of singing, a willingness to participate in group activities and an availability to attend Sunday rehearsals and services. Kim Ahrens directs both these choirs:

Holy Family Choir

· Canticle Choristers, composed of students in the fourth through seventh grades, rehearse Sunday mornings from 11:10 a.m. to noon in the Music Room of the Church Life Center South. This choir sings approximately once a month at the 9:00 a.m. service, as well as at the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, Epiphany and other occasions.

Youth Choir
This choir is for teens in grades eight through twelve who enjoy singing and leading in worship. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Youth Ministry Crossover program. They sing one to two times per month, normally at the 9:00 a.m. service, as well as at the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, Epiphany and other occasions. We also welcome youth instrumentalists in the choir. Chris Ahrens is the new director of the Youth Choir.

Transfiguration Choir
This choir of adults of all ages provides music for the two principal Sunday services, as well as for Holy Day liturgies. It is a regular participant on our Transfigured Nights Series, singing Choral Evensong and Compline services as well as special services and concerts in the course of the year. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., with the choir normally dividing into two to sing either the 9:00 or 11:15 a.m. service. Occasionally a Saturday rehearsal is required in order to prepare for special events. Because of the challenging repertoire we undertake, it is very important – in addition to having a good voice for choral singing – to be able to read music and have previous musical experience. An informal audition is also required in order to place choristers in sections and to give advice for work on individual vocal issues. Joel Martinson is the director of the choir.

Bella Musica
Transfiguration’s handbell choir is open to both adults and youth of the parish who read music and enjoy being part of a musical ensemble. This choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Music Room, and plays approximately every four to six weeks during the school year. We also participate in special services, festivals or concerts during the course of each season. Full-time and substitute ringers are welcome. We are very interested in training new substitutes during this school year! If you read music and have an interest, please let us know. Joel Martinson directs this ensemble.

Men’s Schola Cantorum
This choir sings at Compline services, Tenebrae, as well as some Sunday morning Eucharists, during the course of the year. Rehearsals are usually held on Wednesday evenings prior to the full Transfiguration Choir practice. Belonging to the Transfiguration Choir is helpful, but not required. Please indicate your interest in joining this group to Joel Martinson.

Instrumentalists
Please tell us if you have experience playing musical instruments, such as strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, piano, harpsichord and organ. This season we will have three instrumental ensembles (Strings, Brass and Woodwinds) which will rehearse and play for services from time to time during the 2010-2011 school year. They will each be coordinated by volunteers and directed by Joel Martinson.
· Transfiguration String Ensemble
· Transfiguration Brass Ensemble
· Transfiguration Woodwind Ensemble

Choir Parents Guild
This group of volunteers assists the children’s and youth choir directors with logistics help at rehearsals, services and social functions. Duties may include help with piano accompaniment, vestments and choir vesting, sitting with the choristers during services or rehearsals, taking attendance, car pool, snacks and folders. Please see any of the music staff if you are willing and able to assist us.

Music Volunteers
Keeping everything organized for our choirs and ensembles requires a great deal of behind-the-scenes assistance and organizational help. Most of these activities do not require any musical training and include checking-in new musical scores, music library work, office filing, folder organization, computer help, etc. Please see any of the music staff if you are willing and able to help us. This vital ministry allows us to concentrate more of our efforts on music planning, preparation and practice.

Transfigured Nights
Transfigured Nights Flyer (pdf)
Transfigured Nights continues in the Anglican tradition of enriching the lives of the people of God through art and music, whether in the liturgical rites of the church, in concerts, or other programs. Striving to create and host unique programs of quality featuring the finest sacred and secular music, they utilize the talents of parish musicians and local artists, as well as present concerts by national and international performers. The series offers musical experiences to Transfiguration parishioners and serves as an outreach to those in the community.

Opus 17 Organ
Learn more about the new Opus 17 Organ

Music2

Music3

Music4

Music5

Music6

Music7