Ministry of Music and Arts

The Music Ministry at CCC offers numerous, diverse opportunities to share your musical and artistic gifts and talents. Come join in our "joyful noise" as we proclaim our faith through our Ministry of Music in worship and mission.

Carol Choir Chapel Choir Youth Ensemble Orchestra/String Ensemble and Solo Instruments
Chancel Choir Accompanist

Music Ministry Opportunities 2007-2008 Singing Schedule

Director of Music

Director of Music: Nae Pearson

On July 16, 2006 we welcomed our Director of Music, Nae Pearson. Nae has studied voice, piano, organ and choral conducting. He has a Master of Divinity from the Wesley Theological Seminary; a Master's of Liturgical Music/Specialty in Choral Conducting from the Catholic University of America; and a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Nae has many years of experience in serving churches, most recently as Director of Music/Organist at Millian Memorial United Methodist Church in Rockville. He has extensive experience working with all age groups.

Rehearsals for all Children's Choirs, Youth Ensemble, Chancel Choir, String Ensemble and IntergenerationalOrchestra will resume beginning Sunday, September 14th. Please look for the Music Ministry Opportunities Brochure in upcoming August bulletins to find out more about how all ages are invited to share musical gifts and talents within the life our congregation. The brochure will have specific details about each of our choirs with information about rehearsal times, locations, and directors for each group. (Also available will be a rehearsal and singing/playing schedule for the entire calendar year for the children's choirs, Youth Ensemble and Instrumental groups)

These documents will be available on the music page of the church web-site for reference!

Here's a brief outline from the brochure so that you can begin your calendar planning and insure that choir and instrumental rehearsals are a part of your fall schedule! I look forward to beginning another year full of worship opportunities, concerts and the many other ways to share our joyful sound within CCC, the community and the world! Please feel free to contact our Director of Music, Nae Pearson, at the church, 301-585-8010, ext 224 or through e-mail at Holymusic@aol.com for further information.

Groups beginning rehearsals on Sunday, September 14th
The Carol Choir-(Pre-school, grades 1-2). Music for this age-group will be offered as a part of the regular Sunday morning Sunday school.
The Chapel Choir- (Grades 3-6), begins rehearsals September 14, promptly at 11:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. in the choir room. Nae Pearson will direct this choir.
The Youth Ensemble-(Grades 7-12), begins rehearsals on Sunday, September 14th, 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. in the choir room. Nae Pearson will direct this ensemble.

(Beginning on September 4) The Chancel Choir- (Youth and Adults), begins rehearsal on Thursday September 4th, 7:30 until 9:30 p.m. in the choir room. Nae Pearson will direct this choir.

The String Ensemble and Intergenerational Orchestra will hold rehearsals as announced throughout the year. There are no scheduled rehearsals for the Strings or Orchestra in September. A complete rehearsal schedule and worship playing dates will be available in August.

Carol Choir

Director: Jan Forbes

The Carol Choir is open to children from the ages of Kindergarten through second grade. This choral group participates four to five times throughout the year in worship services at CCC and rehearses regularly during Sunday School. They focus on learning songs and hymns to praise God as well as deepen their faith through music. The group uses rhythm instruments regularly and learns basics of musical notation throughout the year. All are welcome to join this joyful group.

Chapel Choir

Director:

The Chapel Choir is open to children in third through sixth grade. Both singers and instrumentalists are welcome. Chapel Choir singers typically are accompanied by students from the choir and church school. The Chapel Choir offers music in worship five to six times per school year during the main services of the church. This ensemble builds music reading and aural skills and prepares the children for the CCC Youth Ensemble that begins in seventh grade. Children in this ensemble are invited to attend the annual CCC Music Camp held at the church’s retreat house in West Virginia. The Chapel Choir rehearses weekly on Sunday mornings.

Youth Ensemble

Director: Nae Pearson
Accompanist: Sam Brush

The Youth Ensemble is open to students in grades seven through twelve. This ensemble offers music in worship at CCC four to five times a year and rehearses regularly on Sunday evenings from September through May. The Youth Ensemble begins their season each year with a retreat held at the church’s retreat house in West Virginia. Music reading skills are developed and repertoire includes sacred as well as secular pieces. Instrumentalists are also encouraged to join the Youth Ensemble and often participate in worship with the singers. Once or twice a year the Youth Ensemble joins the members of the adult Chancel Choir and offers music in worship.

Orchestra/String Ensemble and Solo Instruments

Directors: Nae Pearson and Jane Weber

The CCC Orchestra plays several times throughout the year and rehearses on an "on-call" basis. This intergenerational group of players of all skill levels is a wonderful opportunity to mentor young players and to learn from more skilled players. Also, opportunities abound for solo instrumentalists to offer solo repertoire throughout the year in worship.

Chancel Choir

Director: Nae Pearson
Accompanist: Sam Brush

The Chancel Choir is an ensemble composed of approximately forty-five volunteer singers. While there are no paid soloists in the chorus, many of the members are musically well trained and several make their livings as professional musicians. This group sings every Sunday in worship from September through mid-June as well as special services such as Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve. The Chancel Choir rehearses at 7:30 PM on Thursdays and again at 9:45 on Sunday mornings prior to worship.

Throughout the year the choir sings regularly with instrumentalists or chamber orchestra. Major works are offered for Christmas and Easter, and small choral ensembles occur year-round. The group also participates in four or five social events a season. If you are interested in joining the Chancel Choir, please contact the Director of Music Nae Pearson.

Accompanist

Accompanist: Sam Brush

Sam has been a member of CCC since 1993. It was the music program that drew her to this church. Sam grew up just outside of Reading, PA, but moved to the DC metro area in 1977 and has lived here ever since. She started her musical career with accordion lessons when she was 4 years old, and after a few years begged her parents to acquire a piano. She played on that old upright that took up most of the living room all the way through high school, accompanying school choirs and participating in many student recitals.

Although Sam majored in psychology in college, she continued playing for fun throughout her adult life. When she joined CCC, there were many opportunities for her to accompany the choir, which she has done with a great deal of enthusiasm.

In 1998 she took on her first student, and currently has 22 students in her teaching studio. Music has and always will be a source of great enjoyment, challenge, and satisfaction to her and she is grateful for the opportunity to participate in CCC's wonderful music program.