Music Ministry

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The Chancel Choir leads worship at our 10 a.m. worship each Sunday morning from September through May and rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Singing is an honored Methodist tradition! The Chancel Choir leads the congregation in hymn singing each week. Hymns are announced in advance in e-Notes so worshippers at home may follow and sing along; our professional soloists continue to add beauty and leadership through solos. In worship the Chancel Choir sings an introit, one or two anthems as well as a benediction response. All adults and high school youth are welcome to join the Chancel Choir. In addition to Worship responsibilities, the Chancel Choir usually performs two concerts a year outside of worship. 

The Handbell Choir is led by our church volunteer Jane Benson. The choir is not currently rehearsing or performing regularly; though, we do incorporate handbells in worship. Several ringers peel bells each Sunday morning to announce the beginning of worship. On occasion, handbells are integrated into the Chancel Choir's responses and anthems. 

The Children’s Choir meets during the 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday School hour and sings in worship once a month, on the last Sunday of the month. Children Preschool/Kindergarten through 4th grade are welcome to sing with us.

For more information or if you’re interested in joining one of the choirs, please reach out to our Minister of Music, Christopher Schroeder at chris@graceunitedmethodist.org

Organ

M. P. Moeller, Inc. designed the pipe organ in the early 1950’s for $30,450. It was one of the premier instruments in the city and was often chosen to showcase artists in recital. In the early years, Richard Ross and Robert Elmore were invited to play. After Bruce R. Eicher was hired as Director of Music, he instituted a new Concert Series, and visiting artists included E. Power Biggs, 1959; Virgil Fox and John Weaver, 1960; Virgil Fox and Catharine Crozier, 1961; Simon Preston, Mme. Marie-Madeleine Duruflé Chevalier and Maurice Duruflé, 1969. The Duruflés returned again in 1971.

The Music Committee began an organ fund upon receipt of a designated bequest from the estate of John W. Sherwood. The first additions to the organ were made in 1969. According to an issue of “Organ Happenings” in 1975, Bruce Eicher and the Moeller organ builders were developing a master plan for enhancing and enlarging the organ, dividing the work into stages. The Administrative Board approved the fund that year. Phase I was done in 1960 – $5,100; Phase II work – $11,500. Phase III was installation of the trompette en chamade for $8,000 in 1978. In 1978 a Moeller representative and Mr. Eicher gave an organ demonstration with slides, lecture and performance, and in 1979 the 120-voice Baltimore Choral Arts Society with Mr. Eicher at the organ presented a concert to benefit the Organ Improvement Fund. A tour of the Moeller factory was planned, donor names were entered in a special book and names of larger donors included on a plaque. Phase IV was made possible with the addition of two major gifts, so for just under $90,000 we could install, do tonal revision and revoice the finished 3671 pipes. The organ was now 41 ranks, 40 stops with a replacement value of $229,300. The instrument was dedicated on May 3 at 11:00 and a dedicatory recital given that afternoon. In 1981 the zimblestern was added in time for the Christmas Eve services.

During the discussions of the merger of Wilson Memorial Methodist with Grace, the value of the Wilson instrument at $50,000 when added to the organ fund amounted to $80,000 so a new console was considered for Grace when the Chancel was redesigned and the Sanctuary redecorated. After much investigation and personal visitations to other sites and installations, a custom instrument by Robert Turner, Hacienda Heights, CA, was ordered – five manuals controlling 150 stops, 61 ranks of M. P. Moeller pipes and 60 digital ranks by the Robert Carpenter Co. “A Farewell to the Old Console” concert was performed in May 1998, with invitations sent to all organists who had ever played it. 20 of the 34 were present and played! That organ had served us well for 48 years!

The new console was delivered in May to be installed over the coming months in its new location on the south side, with an elevator lift, as the new chancel took shape. It was dedicated on December 6, 1998 in a program featuring the combined choirs of Grace and Beth El Congregation (70 singers), the Quartet, Cantor Thom King, David Brock and Bruce Eicher. A number of international artists were invited to play in the coming years: Simon Preston, 1999; Joyce Jones, 2001; Elmo Cosentini, 2002 and 2009; Felix Hell, 2003; and Alan Morrison, 2004. In 1999, the annual French Organ Marathon, five hours of music from the great French organ repertoire performed in mini-recital segments by 15 artists, was begun. In recent years, the length of the event and number of artists has decreased some, but this year the marathon celebrated its 20th season.

In 2019, the Church Trustees approved a renovation project on the organ that was completed in October 2021.  Dan Angerstein at Angerstein Organ Works, Inc. in Hendersonville, NC has worked the last two years on completing this project. The entire organ has been tonally refinished to provide solid, warm choruses with good balances and colors. All of the reed stops have been cleaned, repaired and revoiced for greater warmth and stability. New slide tuners have been installed on all flue pipes. All chestwork and chambers have been vacuumed and cleaned with new lighting installed in the chambers. We are grateful to the Trustees of Grace Church for supporting this much-needed work. A re-dedication organ recital will be given by Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University Professor Emeritus Dr. Marilyn Keiser on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

Chris Schroeder, Minister of Music

Christopher Schroeder is Minister of Music and Organist at Grace United Methodist Church in Baltimore, MD where he leads a vibrant music ministry that includes a 30-voice choir, 5 soloists, a handbell choir, a children’s choir as well as a concert series that highlights Baltimore musical ensembles including The Handel Choir of Baltimore and Pro Musica Rara. Chris has been a church musician for nearly 40 years, serving churches in the Baltimore area as well as churches in his home state of Indiana. Chris holds a master’s degree in Church Music and Organ Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he studied with Dr. Marilyn Keiser. Chris has performed solo organ recitals and accompanied choral ensembles throughout his career. Chris finds enjoyment in choral singing, running, biking and jigsaw puzzles.

Chris Schroeder’s devotion to music as ministry makes the entire music program at Grace so relevant. His knowledge base and attention to each musical element in worship create an experience so much deeper than what we might perceive through spoken words alone. 

 

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Music at Grace Concert Series

The Music at Grace Concert Series hosts and presents numerous concerts throughout the year that feature prominent musical ensembles in the Baltimore area as well as musicians from Grace United Methodist Church. All of our concerts are presented in our beautiful and acoustically vibrant sanctuary.

Friday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m. Organist in Recital: Paul Jacobs, Grammy award-winning organist performs on Grace’s 54 rank Moller organ. A free will offering will be available to support the Music Ministry at Grace Church; a $25 donation is suggested to support this concert.

Program

Sinfonia to Cantata No. 29   -Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Trio Sonata in E Minor, BWV 528   -J.S. Bach
    I. Adagio-Vivace
   II. Andante
  III. Un poco Allegro
Prelude, Fugue, and Variation, Op. 18   -Cesar Franck (1822-1890)
Concert Variations on The Star-Spangled Banner, Op. 23 -Dudley Buck (1839-1909)
Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 42   -Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)
    I.  Introduction and Allegro
    II. Pastorale
    III. Finale

 

Sunday, February 18th at 3:00 p.m. Heritage Series: Maryland Opera honoring Pat Osborn and the Opera volunteers. Artistic Director: James Harp. Operatic tours de force performed by internationally renowned singers accompanied by chamber orchestra. Tickets: marylandopera.org

 

 

Sunday, February 25th at 3:30 p.m. Superbach Sunday: Pro Musica Rara, Baltimore’s premier early music ensemble. Artistic Director: Cynthia Roberts; Guest Artist, Paul Leenhouts, Recorder. Tickets: promusicarara.org

 

This all-Bach program features Paul Leenhouts, recorder, who is director of Early Music Studies and the Baroque Orchestra at the University of North Texas.He will be joined by Sara Nichols, flute; Cynthia Roberts, violin; Phoebe Carrai, cello; and Paula Maust, harpsichord. The program includes works by Johann Sebastian, Carl Phillip Emmanuel, Johann Christian, and Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach.

Pro Musica Rara, Baltimore's “premier early music ensemble”, is a period instrument chamber music ensemble performing baroque, classical, and early romantic repertoire. There will be a pre-concert presentation at 2:30.For program details and to purchase tickets, please see http://promusicarara.org/concerts-2023-2024/. Tickets are $10 for students and $35 for adults. They will also be available at the door.

 

Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m. The Handel Choir of Baltimore's Made in Baltimore Too concert.

 

 

Immerse yourself in the diverse works of local composers and experience the magic of our city's musical heritage. Join us behind the scenes with the incredible Keith Snipes, our soloist for "For Martin" and experience his powerful performance.    Works by Baltimore composers, including a new commission by Daniel Sabzghabaei featuring Steinway artist Lura Johnson. Tickets: handelchoir.org

 

Sunday, March 31st at 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Festival Service. Music featuring the Chancel Choir of Grace Church and the Carrollton Brass.

 

Sunday, April 7th at 3:30 p.m. The French Connection: Pro Musica Rara, Baltimore’s premier early music ensemble. Artistic Director: Cynthia Roberts. Tickets: promusicarara.org

 

Saturday, June 1st at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 2nd at 4:00 p.m. Pride Concert: The New Wave Singers. Start your Pride Month celebrations with songs of hope, diversity, inclusion and humor. Director: Tim Gillan; Accompanist: Chris Schroeder. Tickets: newwavesingers.org

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