Wapping Church

The Music Ministry at Wapping Community Church is a vital part of the total ministry. There are opportunities for young, old, and in between. Those who embrace this ministry are wonderful, loving people, and many life long friendships are formed with the members of our groups. You will have the opportunity to sing, ring, and dance, play in a string ensemble, or play or sing a solo, duet, etc. If you are more interested in behind the scenes opportunities, we have membership in the Music Committee, ushering for our performances, publicity, kitchen help, and clean up for our Parish Performance Series. For information on any of our choirs, or how you can become part of our wonderful ministry, please contact Margo C. Lazzerini, Director of Music Ministry at (860) 644-0833, ext.14, or margo@wappingchurch.org

The Chancel Choir (adult) sings regularly during Sunday morning worship. This volunteer choir also presents an annual Christmas Concert with a special guest conductor, and orchestra. It is the highlight of out Parish Performance Series. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:30 pm, under the direction of Margo C. Lazzerini. If you cannot commit to being a full time choir participant, you are welcome to join us as a seasonal singer.

We are so blessed to have our own resident bagpiper, Chuck Murdoch. It is a thrill beyond measure to have the choirs process into church on Christmas Sunday to the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the bagpipes.

Handbell Choir
Our Handbell Choir, the "Chancel Bells," also participates in worship on a regular basis and is under the able leadership of Paul Oates. The Chancel Bells meet weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm. Our smaller group, The Twelve Bells rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-6:30 pm. Come and "Ring them Bells!"

Our Children's Choir invites children in grades 2 through 6 to have fun learning to sing in a choir. They share their special music with us many times throughout the year. They sing at the 4:30pm Christmas Eve service, Easter Sunday, Children's Sunday and several other times during the year. The Children's Choir meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:00 am in the Chapel on the second floor.

We are currently seeking a volunteer to lead this special group of young people.

Sacred Dance group
We also have a Sacred Dance group that performs for special worship services on Christmas, Maundy Thursday, and Easter. Mimi Dunbar leads and choreographs this group of children for grades two through high school. The rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 7:00-7:45 pm, seven weeks before each holiday.

Other Music Ministry Events
In addition to our wonderful music groups, the Music Committee is also sponsoring the "2007-2008 Parish Performance Series", which will feature organ recitals, an oboe recital presented by Heather Taylor, Principal Oboe of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, an Armonica (glass harmonica invented by Benjamin Franklin) Concert in November, and a special Christmas Concert by the Chancel Choir on December 9, 2007.

The 2007 Cabaret, "The Fabulous Fifties," was presented by the Chancel Choir, with soloist and accompanied by a three-piece band, sponsored by the Music Ministry, on Saturday evening May 19, 2007. Along with wonderful music, we also enjoyed 50's inspired word puzzles, penny candy, 45 RPM records made of chocolate, nickel Dixie Cups with celebrities' pictures on the lids. People had their pictures taken with Elvis, Marilyn or a local celebrity (choir members). We danced during intermission and all throughout the night. We enjoyed blowing bubbles, eating brownie sundaes and keeping the hula hoops going. People really got into the spirit and were dressed to the 9's in poodle skirts and saddle shoes.

There are many opportunities for all, sponsored by the Music Ministry ofWapping Community Church.