Music
Music enhances our Worship
At Maple Grove United Church, we LOVE our music!
Maple Grove United Church is blessed to have a strong music culture that supports Christ’s message and our community of faith led by Dr. Deborah Henry, Music Director. Deborah works alongside Miguel Brito-Lopez, our pianist, as well as our Chancel Choir, our Memorial Handbell Choir, and a few of our other talented musicians who accompany us with guitars, trumpet, and Djembe drum. Music plays a major role at Maple Grove each Sunday, and we are always looking for more musicians, singers or ringers to join us.
If you are interested in learning more about our Music Program here at Maple Grove, please contact the church office.
Chancel Choir
The Maple Grove Chancel Choir is composed of friendly and fun people who enjoy singing and celebrating our faith through song. We are a four-part choir, including sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. Music for the worship service is varied and can include sacred classical, modern sacred, gospel, old and newer hymns and even some jazzier pieces. Special music is provided at the Christmas and Easter Seasons as well as special events throughout the year.
We welcome new members to join us, regardless of whether or not you are able read music. Rehearsals are held every Thursday from 7:00pm to approximately 9:00pm and we rehearse at 10:00am on Sunday mornings in preparation for service. New members are always welcome. No auditions required so please consider trying us out!
Memorial Handbell Choir
The Maple Grove Memorial Handbell Choir was formed 34 years ago, under the direction of Jan Beddoe. We are a three octave bell choir comprised of between 11 to 15 members depending on the year.
Our choir practices weekly on Monday afternoons from 3:00pm to 4:30pm and we strive to play monthly in church. We have also rung at special Maple Grove musical events. We have been invited to perform at other churches, retirement homes, the MADD annual Remembrance Vigil, as well as weddings and funerals. We also play annually for the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers Festival.
The Belles have all become very good friends over the years – a marvelous sisterhood – and to say our friendships eclipse our music making would be true. That said, we also love to make music together!
If you are interested in joining us, we would welcome anyone who can capably read music and is willing to give it a go.
We are the Maple Grove Memorial Handbell Choir and we love handbells!
Special Talents
Ron and Pat McKee are invaluable members of our Chancel Choir. Ron sings bass, and Pat sings soprano. But they don’t stop there. Most Sundays Pat can be found accompanying the choir anthems as well as our congregational hymns on her guitar. Ron, who played the trumpet in the Oakville Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years, occasionally dusts off his trumpet to provide additional accompaniment for the choir and congregation.
Patty Wanless sings soprano in our Chancel Choir and is a ringer in the Memorial Handbell Choir. She often also accompanies us playing her Djembe drum to add extra oomph and fun to our music.
Special Musical Events
Maple Grove offers several special music events each year to our congregation and to the community. This year there will be at least three such treats. Here’s what lies ahead for you. Mark your calendars!
December 7: Sing-along Extravaganza. Our choir will lead the audience in some pieces from Handle’s Messiah, as well as favourite Christmas carols and songs. This is sure to get you into the Christmas Spirit.
Spring: Date TBA. Dr. Deborah Hennry, our Director of Music, is preparing a concert featuring Classical Composers and Humour. Past concerts have featured Classical Composers and Crime, The life and Music of Chopin and The Psychology of Beethoven.
