Schoeneck Moravian Church

To follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to love and serve all.

Sing To The Lord

“O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord; bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.”

Psalm 96:1–2

Scripture makes it clear that God encourages us to sing, highlighting its importance in worship and in expressing joy. Numerous passages encourage singing praises to God, proclaiming His glory, and rejoicing in His presence. Singing is presented as a way to connect with God, to express gratitude, and to uplift the soul.

Schoeneck’s vocal choirs perform special music selections to enhance the worship experience for the congregation. Our lives are greatly enriched by the time that we spend together in rehearsals and during worship. We truly enjoy the opportunity to serve our Lord through song.

Our Senior Choir faithfully provides anthem for worship at Sunday morning services. They have performed major works by Moravian and non-Moravian composers. Our choir has both commissioned and premiered choral anthems and concertatos. They are an extremely loyal and devoted ensemble committed to musical excellence.

Our Junior Choir regularly performs in worship and has also premiered junior choir choral music. The Cherub Choir is our youngest group of singers and also frequently enriches worship with their singing.

All of our vocal choirs are open to anyone who wants to sing, grow in faith, and provide music for worship. A pleasant singing voice and a willing spirit are all that is needed! Anyone can learn to sing, and we welcome those who want to learn, who want to make music, and who want to sing to the Lord!

Cherub Choir

Children from Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to join our Cherub Choir. Our children’s music program focuses on helping children learn simple songs and enjoy the warm tradition of church music. We teach using hymns, children’s Bible songs, and church camp songs, as well as simple rhythm games and melodies.

The Cherub Choir sings occasionally during our 10:30 am worship service. Special services include our Children’s Christmas Eve Lovefeast, Palm Sunday, and Easter Sunday.

A clip-art image with a smiling red music note with teal blue and olive green stripes behind it as if the music note is soaring through the air. Underneath are the words "Cherub Choir" in purple and golden yellow sans serif lettering.

The Cherub Choir meets to practice on Thursday evenings (from September to May) at 6:00 pm for about 45 minutes. A schedule of when the children will be singing during worship is handed out at the first rehearsal in the fall and again in January.

Every child is welcome and encouraged to come sing, learn, and have fun with us! Even if rehearsals have already started for the season, children are welcome to join at any time.

Junior Choir

All young people, 4th through 8th grade, are encouraged to join our Junior Choir. We enjoy singing fun, youthful songs as well as songs that are a bit more challenging with two vocal parts.

The Junior Choir sings several times a year during our 10:30 am worship service. Special services include our Children’s Christmas Eve Lovefeast, Palm Sunday, and Easter Sunday.

A clip-art image featuring three multicolored birds with their heads up and their beaks open as if whistling. The first bird is sage green with dark sage green wings and tail and a burgundy beak. The second bird is yellow-orange with red wings, tail, and beak. The third bird is red with purple wings and tail and a red beak. Underneath the birds are the words "Junior Choir" in a rounded fun font.

The Junior Choir meets for rehearsal on Thursday evenings (from September to May) at 6:45 pm in the Choir Room for about 45 minutes. A schedule of when the Junior Choir will be singing during worship is handed out at the first rehearsal in the fall and again in January.

Come sing and have fun with us! Even if rehearsals have already started for the season, youth are welcome to join at any time.

Morning Star Soloist

Morning Star is a beloved hymn sung by Moravians on Christmas Eve during our candlelight vigils. A young child sings the beginning of the hymn and then the congregation sings back, with the child and the congregation singing back and forth. Soloists are usually between the ages of 7 to 12 years old and practice for several weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. More than one child may sing each year, as our church has several Christmas Eve services.

Senior Choir

The Senior Choir is open to everyone from Grade 9 through adult. There is no audition; all skill levels and voice parts are invited to participate. Our choir is full of dedicated, kind, and fun-loving people and we enjoy our fellowship together.

Led by our Director of Music Ministry, Ryan Morrow, this SATB ensemble sings from a wide variety of choral music. We sing anthems by Moravian composers and arrangers from our past to present day, music from other Protestant and Catholic traditions, including spirituals, and more contemporary sacred music. The choir also helps to lead congregational singing.

The Senior Choir typically prepares an anthem for most of the 10:30 am Sunday worship services. The choir also sings for special seasonal events and services such as the Christmas Eve services, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. Most years we offer a special cantata to the congregation. We frequently combine efforts with other music groups or talented musicians from our church and the community.

A clip-art image of three simple human figures holding a white square as if to be a music folder. None of the figures has facial features or hair. The first person has an oval peach colored head and is wearing a periwinkle blue shirt. The second person has an oval brown head and is wearing a red shirt. The third person has an oval light brown head and is wearing a green shirt. Around the figures are different black music notes, and underneath the them are the words "Senior Choir" in a black fancy script font.

Rehearsals for the Senior Choir are on Thursday evening (from September to May) at 7:30 pm in the Choir Room for about an hour. On Sunday mornings we gather in the Choir Room at 10:10 am to go over that day’s anthem before heading up to the balcony together for worship.

There is an open invitation for Senior Choir members — new people are welcome to join any time. Come join us to sing praises to our Lord!

Vocal Soloists & Small Ensembles

Sometimes it’s just not possible to make a weekly commitment to one of Schoeneck’s vocal choirs. Our music program is pleased to provide opportunities for vocal soloists, duets, or small groups to perform for our worship services. Special music opportunities are available at either the 8:00 am or 10:30 am worship services.

When the vocal choirs take a break over the summer months, individuals or smaller groups often contribute special music selections during the 9:30 am worship service.

A clip-art image that says Special Music. The word "Special" is in primary green and the word "Music" is in navy blue. Above the I in music is a navy blue circle with a golden-yellow music note.

Please contact our Director of Music Ministry, Ryan Morrow, if you are interested in singing for the congregation. He will be delighted to have you share your musical abilities with the us!

A photo of the Senior Choir's 2025 Lenten Cantata. The choir is assembled on the raised pulpit area, men in the back and women in the front. In front of the choir is our Director of Music Ministries, Ryan Morrow, directing. On the left side of the picture is a young women, standing as she plays a violin. To her left is an older woman, sitting as she plays the viola. The black grand piano is in the corner with a woman playing it. In the pulpit is a cross draped with purple-blue fabric.

The Senior Choir accompanied on the piano by Patti Alercia, with special guests Paula Jimenez on the violin and Ellen Hospador on the cello, present a Lenten Cantata to the congregation in March 2025.

The Senior Choir rehearses in the Choir Room. Director of Music Ministries, Ryan Morrow, sits at a black upright piano while several men, women, and youth sit in blue chairs singing an anthem. The far wall of the room is painted light blue, with a cream image of the Angus Dei and the words: "Worthy is the Lamb for He was slain."

Sing To The Lord