Music Ministries
Music at BBPC
With an adult choir, a fledgling children's choir, a multi-generational bell choir, and a teen choir, the Music Ministry at BBPC is diverse and energetic. It brings enthusiasm to worship, concerts, outreach programs, and events.
The church has two grand pianos; four and a half octaves of Malmark and Schulmerich handbells and chimes; myriad percussion instruments; and its crown jewel, the 1967 Austin pipe organ, Op. 2642. Under the professional leadership of the Music Director and our paid section leaders, the volunteer choir sings a vast range of musical styles, from Renaissance motets to contemporary 21st-century choral works. We have a lively concert series that features a major artist in the fall and culminates with a choir concert in June, with many interesting events in between. Our Winter Music Camp is a unique experience you won't find anywhere else: a chance for all ages to participate in various facets of elementary music-making under the guidance of professional teaching artists who bring expertise in percussion, dance and movement, keyboards, and guitar. Everyone — from the greenest, freshest beginner to the most seasoned musician — has something to gain from participating in the music ministry at BBPC.
Adult Choir
Our beloved Adult Choir is first and foremost a community of faithful and kindhearted people who gather twice a week to rehearse, socialize, and worship God. Camaraderie is a foundation of our success: rehearsals are efficient yet humorous, and give our members a shared sense of purpose and achievement and a real sense of belonging. A lot is asked of our highest-level ensemble, but the rewards are manifold, including beautiful music, lasting friendships, and opportunities for spiritual, intellectual, and artistic growth.
The choir has a vast library of excellent choral music: Renaissance masters Victoria, Palestrina, Tallis, and Tye; Baroque anthems by Schütz, Buxtehude, Bach, and Handel; Classical scores from oratorios of Mozart, Handel, and Beethoven; Romantic pieces by Holst, Brahms, Stainer, Vaughan Williams, and Bruckner; and a wide swath of modern and contemporary music by Rorem, Stopford, Hoiby, Ola Gjeilo, and many others. From year to year, roughly half the repertoire is repeated as favorites or staples, with new pieces mixed in to keep our sight-reading chops sharp and to enjoy the discovery of different music. A person need not be an excellent reader to join us; there is a wide mix of skills and experience.
When & where. Rehearsals Thursday evenings, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., September through June, in the choir room upstairs in the main church building (handicapped accessible). Additional opportunities to sing during Christmas Eve, Holy Week, Evensongs, and our end-of-year concert.
Get involved: Speak to the Music Director, Ben Berman, or any choir member, or use the link below to email the Music Director. An audition is not necessary, though a prospective member may be asked to sing a few lines or exercises to help place them. Singers should be somewhat skilled to keep up with the demands of rehearsals.
Bell Choir
Handbells are one of the best models for three things. First, it is an entry-point for folks who may never have performed in a musical ensemble before. Second, it is a great way to develop basic music-reading skills. Third, it is a perfect analogy for Christian fellowship: each person is responsible for only two pitches (which could mean up to four or five bells, but usually never more than two at a time). Only when all the ringers are playing together does the music take definite form. Private practice is encouraged and accessible. Unlike a band or orchestra, in which each member has a different instrument and must command its full range and scales, in a bell choir everyone plays the same instrument and is assigned a single line or space on the staff. The result is highly gratifying for all ringers.
When & where. Rehearsals Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. from September through June. The Bell Choir rings for Sunday morning worship about once a month, with occasional opportunities to perform at conferences or in outreach concerts.
Get involved: Speak to Ben Berman or any member of the Bell Choir, or use the link below to email the Music Director.
Children's Choir
The BBPC Children's Choir is aimed at children from first grade up. They rehearse every Saturday morning: we start with a developmentally appropriate warm-up, usually have a fun icebreaker or show-and-tell, and then carefully rehearse a handful of pieces, asking questions, singing fragments, playing games with melodies, exploring emotional content, and giving voice to everyone, no matter where they are that day. The kids develop a sense of community with each other, and lifelong friendships are forged in that brief hour of rehearsal. A parent can expect their child to receive high-level music-literacy education, a healthy dose of faith formation, and the developing sense of discipline and commitment to a project with like-minded peers that choir provides. Plus, there are always (mostly healthy) snacks.
When & where. Saturdays, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., September through June. The Children's Choir sings about once a month at Sunday morning worship.
Get involved: Speak to any parent of a current choir member, to Lissette, or directly to Ben. You do not need to be a member of BBPC to participate. All children are welcome, from any faith background.