Our Music Ministry
There are many ways to participate in the music ministry of South Dayton
Presbyterian Church. God has blessed us with many talented individuals
who have a heart to serve Him. As in all of our ministries, we strive
for excellence in all that we do, so that not everyone is necessarily
skilled enough to be part of the leadership through playing an
instrument or singing. However, we also seek to minister to the
congregation through music, so that there are opportunities for less
skilled musicians to learn and grow and for those with varied skill
levels to participate in other ways while growing. If you are a musician
with reasonable skills, there is a place for you in the music ministry
of South Dayton Presbyterian Church.
WLT (Worship Leadership Team)
The Worship Leadership Team is made up of both vocalists and
instrumentalists. Typical instrumentation includes piano, electric
keyboard, drums/percussion, bass/ rhythm/lead guitars. We also sometimes
have flute, violin, harmonica, mandolin, and saxophone. The WLT
rehearses weekly in preparation for leading the 11:00 Sunday morning
worship services and the members participate on a rotation. The style of
music varies, but typically centers around adult contemporary. Vocalists
must be able to harmonize without written music and instrumentalists
typically play from chord charts with or without a melody line. The
purpose of the WLT is to lead the congregation by modeling worship as
well as to provide a strong foundation for congregational singing,
although the WLT will sometimes present pieces that are not
congregational.
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Accompanists for Traditional Services
Musicians who help lead in the traditional service must be able to read from
the hymnal or similar music notation and follow a director. Typical
instrumentation for the traditional service is piano and electric keyboard
using primarily organ and string voices. There is sometimes a flute or
violin that enhances the music and our offerings to God. The typical
music for the traditional service is hymns from writers such as Martin Luther,
Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, as well as songs of testimony from writers
such as Fanny Crosby. The service also contains some elements of music
from the classical genre as shared by musicians who are gifted in this
way.
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Choirs
A seasonal choir is made up of those who can carry a tune and are high
school aged or older. Rehearsals begin a few months before Christmas and
again before Easter in preparation for those seasons. The choir may sing
at some or all of the services around Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas
Day, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Easter Sunday. This
choir is made up both of those who typically attend 8:30 service as well
as those who typically attend the 11:00 service.
In addition to the seasonal choirs, there is another choir that sings
only in the 8:30 service. This choir does not meet every week, but will
convene for a few weeks rehearsal in preparation for one service, and
then break for several weeks, then repeat the process again at regular
intervals.
With both choirs, announcements will be printed in the bulletin giving
the dates and rehearsal times. Those wishing to participate will be
asked to make a commitment to rehearsal attendance.
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Hand Bells
There is also a hand bell choir that meets seasonally, similar to the
vocal choirs. The choir is open to anyone who can read simple rhythms.
This is often a good group for some beginning music students who are not
yet ready to play their own instrument in a public setting but can be a
part of the team. This group often has the widest spectrum of ages and
musical backgrounds represented in its participants. Rehearsals begin a
few months before Christmas and Easter in preparation for the special
services around those seasons. The hand bells will be used to accompany
the congregational singing, and may also present solo pieces depending
on the ability of those involved.
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Band/Orchestra Instruments, Solo/Ensemble
You may wish to be involved on a regular basis as part of the rotation
of musicians who help lead our weekly services; or you may wish to only
participate seasonally, or periodically. We can use brass, woodwind and
stringed instruments to enhance the piano and organ of the 8:30 service,
or to bring a new style to the 11:00 service. Special ensembles can be
formed, such as a string quartet. Sharing a vocal solo in the service
can proclaim God’s Word to all who listen. Instrumentalists may help us
reflect on His beauty by playing songs during our times of meditation
such as the few moments before service starts when we’re quieting our
hearts, or during the times of offering or communion. No matter what
your instrument, we can work with you to find ways to use it for God’s
glory.
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Sound System Operation
Because all of our music at SDPC is live, proper operation of the sound
system is very important. We offer a 4-phase, in-house training program
for those interested in ministering as part of the sound team. This is
open to those high-school aged or older who have satisfactorily
completed the training package. There is a sound operator for each of
our two Sunday morning services as well as other special services, and
members participate as part of a rotation. For the 11:00 service, the
sound operator also attends the WLT rehearsal during the week prior. A
sound operator will also record the sermon each week. To find out about
becoming a part of this team, contact
Paul Cary, the sound team leader.
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Video Projection Team (multimedia)
SDPC has a video system that is used primarily in worship services.
The team works with the pastoral and worship staff to prepare a
presentation for the services. We use the system to project the
lyrics to songs, scriptures, and the sermon outline. The system
can also be used for other gatherings such as a family movie night, to
present data for business meetings, or to view presentations of special
events, such as a missions slide show. Members of this team must
learn the worship software that we use in addition to our operational
procedures. Time is spent each week preparing the material as well
as attending rehearsals. To find out about becoming a part of this
team, contact
David Short, the multimedia team coordinator.
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Summer Music Classes
One of the ways we try to help musicians increase their skills is
through summer music classes. These classes are offered in Music Theory
I, Theory II, Theory III, and Beginning Guitar. The classes are free, but
students must buy the theory book. For the guitar classes, students
can generally borrow a guitar from the church for the duration of the
class. The guitars will be loaned on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is also a Youth Praise Team that meets all summer. This group
spends time learning about worship, as well as learning about playing
together in a band. The Youth Praise Team practices all summer and then
presents an end–of-the-summer program of the songs they have
learned. Some of these youth are able to play with the WLT on Sunday
mornings.
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Is God Calling You?
If you’d like to participate in the music ministry of SDPC, please
contact David Pratt (david.pratt@southdaytonpcachurch.org), the
Director of Music and Worship Leader to
determine your gifts and discuss ways to become involved.
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