The Chancel Choir at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church strives to be as inclusive as God’s love. You are warmly invited to reach out to Meghan Meloy Ness, Director of Music Ministries, at meghan.meloy.ness@swarthmorepres.org or 610-543-4712 (ext. 114) to explore your participation in this significant ministry.
› Chancel Choir “MythBusters”!
he Chancel Choir is the backbone of SPC’s Music Ministry and is comprised of committed individuals who together prepare a vast array of choral music to enhance our worship services with beauty and provide musical leadership for worship on Sundays, September – June. The members meet to rehearse on Thursdays at 7:30 pm and on Sundays at 9:30 am.
As the group continues to joyfully welcome new members into its fold, Meghan Meloy Ness, Director of Ministries, thought she would share the following five myths related to participation in this significant ministry.
Common Myths About Joining the Chancel Choir
You are required to read music
FALSE: Reading music is helpful but not a requirement to sing in the Chancel Choir. Some members read music, but many do not. Meghan consistently shares part recording resources with the Chancel Choir members to support individuals who enjoy studying the music outside of rehearsal.
You are required to have prior experience singing in a choir
FALSE: Prior experience singing in a choir is helpful but not a requirement to participate in the Chancel Choir. Come as you are, and Meghan, Jim Maule (Choir President), and the current members will be happy to “show you the ropes”!
You are required to be an amazing singer.
FALSE: The Chancel Choir consists of people with singing voices of all shapes and sizes, and the members strive to blend their voices so that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Each of us has a different singing voice just like each of us has a different speaking voice.
You are required to come to every rehearsal.
FALSE: Chancel Choir members are just like you: they travel for work and vacation; they get sick; and they manage family emergencies. For these reasons, and the fact that each of our lives can become very busy from time to time, none of the members is expected to be at every single rehearsal from September through June.
You are required to sing for worship every Sunday.
FALSE: Please see above.
