Music
Daybreak: Daybreak is a group of volunteer Christian musicians that lead the Praise and Worship Music during the more contemporary 8:45 a.m. service. The group is made up of volunteer singers and instrumentalists, including guitars, keyboard, percussion, and other instruments. Their more non-traditional musical style ranges from Contemporary Christian to Christian Country, in a more informal setting. Daybreak membership is open to any Christian musician who would like to use his/her gift for the Lord, whether instrumental or vocal. Rehearsals are Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. New talent is always welcome; just attend a rehearsal to begin.
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Chancel Choir: The Chancel Choir is the organization in the 11:00 a.m. service that serves and supports the congregation through Choral Music in a more traditional, blended style of worship. They are the part of the congregation that uses their musical talents and abilities to lead and enable the congregation to worship together. Their responsibilities include leading congregational singing, sharing of Musical Blessings during the service, and reaching out to the community through Cantatas at Christmas and Easter. Rehearsals are Monday nights 6:00—7:00 p.m. in the Education Building, Choir Room, and Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Membership is open to all singers high school age and above, regardless of choral experience. New singers are always welcome. Simply show up for rehearsal to join our worship community!
The Columbus Community Choir: The Columbus Community Choir had its real beginning in the Fall of 1995 when Merrill Luman was asked by the Chamber of Commerce to organize a chorus to present the Christmas portions of Handel’s “Messiah.” For two years this chorus sang during the Christmas season, performing at the Stafford Opera House in Columbus. This chorus expressed a desire to continue, but rental cost of the opera house was prohibitive.
In 2003, as the small choir at the First United Methodist Church of Columbus was preparing to present their annual Christmas cantata, Merrill, then Minister of Music for the church, suggested that the small group might want to invite Christian singers to join with them. The idea was presented to the group, and they decided to ask any denomination church choir members in the area to join them. This Community Choir became a separate, self-supporting entity, with its own board of directors, rehearsing at the First United Methodist Church. The musicians, directors and instrumentalists were all — and continue to be — volunteers. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings for several weeks before each performance—Christmas, Easter and Fourth of July. Contributions from the concerts and from the members themselves, allows the choir to pay for its music, costumes, travel, risers and all other props. The audiences and the choir quickly outgrew the Methodist sanctuary for performances and began singing at other venues, currently using the Columbus High School auditorium.