In scripture, we are directed to praise our God through the gift of music: ”Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before God’s presence with singing! (Ps 100; 1-3)
At CPUCC, music and the arts have a central role in our church life and our worship. Music helps us to connect with God, one another, and our own selves at a deeper level because it affects a different (and much deeper) part of the brain than speech. Scientific studies have shown that when a choir sings together in unison, they not only begin to breathe together, but their hearts synchronize and beat at the same pace. Through worship and music we truly become one body. Our music ensembles offer the opportunity to create beautiful, worshipful music; but even more importantly, offer a safe, welcoming place where we can grow our faith and our talents, and live in joyful community.
At CPUCC you will experience a number of different opportunities to participate and be inspired through our ministries of music and art.
You needn’t be a member of CPUCC to participate in one of our ensembles! We are frequently joined by guest musicians and friends of the choir. If you would like to get involved, contact Pastor Scott, Minister of Worship and the Arts at: (ssiciliano@cpucc.org)
Our Choirs
Our SANCTUARY CHOIR sings most Sundays, September through May, and is open to all singers ages High School through adult. We sing a variety of engaging and moving anthems from many different genres, styles, cultures, and difficulty levels. Weekly rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30pm.
The JUBILATE RINGERS (“Yoo-bih-la-tay”; latin meaning ‘rejoice!’) is our senior Handbell and Chime choir. We ring pieces anywhere from 2-5 octaves, depending on the number of ringers we have at any given time. Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00pm. The choir rings approximately once per month, September through May.
We offer two CHILDREN’S CHOIR opportunities. From September through December, our King’s Kids Choir (preschool through grade 5) sings monthly in our morning worship service. Rehearsal times are Mondays at 11:30am and Wednesday at 6:30pm.
From January through May, our Jolly Jinglers (preschool through grade 5) begin ringing with color-coded bells, teaching important counting and music reading skills. Older children have the opportunity to ring our Choir chimes.
On special occasions and festival Sundays, our CPUCC ORCHESTRA, composed of church members, friends and guests, assembles to accompany worship as well as our annual Christmas Cantata. Are you proficient in an instrument? Let us know!
Additionally, there are weekly opportunities for vocal and instrumental soloists to share special musical offerings in worship.
Our Instruments
Offering worship and praise to God is a holy gesture, and a holy process. We worship a God of radical love and hospitality who has given us every good gift, including God’s only Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. When we come before the Lord, we bring our whole selves and our finest gifts and efforts. Fine music-making requires our best efforts, and is always aided by fine instruments.
At CPUCC, we are very grateful to be supported in worship music each week by our beautiful 27-rank, three-manual, M.P. Moller pipe organ, as well as our sanctuary’s Steinway Model ‘B’ 7-foot grand piano, five octaves of Malmark Handbells, and 3 octaves of choir Handchimes. Our chapel, rehearsal, and fellowship spaces are also graced with fine Steinway and Baldwin grand pianos, allowing our congregation and local community access to exceptional instruments and ensuring beautiful, worshipful music can be created throughout our building.
Our Concerts
We are blessed to be able to share our facility with many different musical and theatrical groups throughout the year for both rehearsals and performance events, including some of the Central PA region’s premier ensembles:
- The Susquehanna Children’s, Youth, Young Women’s, and Adult Chorales
- The Harrisburg Singers
- Harrisburg Choral Society
- Central PA Womyn’s Chorus
- The Harrisburg Art’s Awards
- Central PA Playwright Society
We believe our facility is not our own, but indeed belongs to God. Therefore we joyfully proclaim that all people are welcome here!
