The Chancel Choir provides musical leadership for our morning worship services most weeks from September to June. This 25-30 voice group sings great choral music in a wide range of styles from across the centuries. In addition, the group performs two major works each year with orchestra or chamber ensemble – past works including everything from the Brahms’ Requiem to Carol Barnett’s The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass.
Members have a wide range of musical backgrounds – from those who sing in multiple choral groups each week, to those who hadn’t sung since high school or college. No audition is required – we encourage all who love to sing to come and join us! Members who can only participate for portions of the year are also welcome. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Choir Room on the lower level.
Contact Director of Music Mark Morgan if you’d like to join: music.director@hancockchurch.org
The Hancock Choristers is a choir for children in grades 1-8. It is a fun, fast paced group that learns great new songs, basic singing skills, musical skills, and terms, and important lessons about making music together as a group. The group rehearses on Sundays starting at 11:15 in room 212. The younger singers are excused at 11:45, and the 5-8 graders continue to noon with more advanced material. New singers are welcome at any time. Please contact Mark Morgan, Director of Music at music.director@hancockchurch.org.
Morning Glory Ringers
The Morning Glory Ringers This fun-loving group of adult ringers of all abilities plays intermediate level music on Friday mornings from 9:30-10:45. No experience necessary! This group is a great opportunity for beginning ringers to be mentored by those with more experience. They prepare music for occasional church services, community outreach programs, and concerts. After rehearsal, members may gather for coffee and social time in the bell room. Come to any September rehearsal to try out this nurturing group.
Tuesday evening skill building workshops are for bell ringers from all groups to expand their ringing skills from 7-8:30 pm on 9/11, 10/9, and 11/13. These evenings will be an opportunity for ringers to learn a new skill and practice it alone and then incorporate it in the context of music they are learning in their own rehearsals. If you have a skill that has stumped you or simply want to be able to get to the next level of ringing, this is a great time to work on it. Possible topics could include weaving, changing bells, stopped techniques, ringing faster, 4-in-hand, bass bells, reading ahead, improved sight-reading, memorization, music marking, and more.
Hancock Carillon
The Hancock Carillon is an experienced group of high school, college, and adult ringers playing six octaves of bells and chimes at an advanced level. Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7:00-9:00 p.m. A commitment to attend all rehearsals (or find a substitute) is expected. The group prepares music for monthly church services, concerts, community outreach programs, and bell workshops/festivals. If you are an experienced ringer willing to commit to a busy ringing schedule and think you might like to try ringing in this bronze level group, please contact Marilyn Becker.
Tuesday evening skill building workshops are for bell ringers from all groups to expand their ringing skills from 7-8:30 pm on 9/11, 10/9, and 11/13. These evenings will be an opportunity for ringers to learn a new skill and practice it alone and then incorporate it in the context of music they are learning in their own rehearsals. If you have a skill that has stumped you or simply want to be able to get to the next level of ringing, this is a great time to work on it. Possible topics could include weaving, changing bells, stopped techniques, ringing faster, 4-in-hand, bass bells, reading ahead, improved sight-reading, memorization, music marking, and more.
The River Rock Band provides musical leadership for our evening worship service. Evening Worship is an informal and intimate service held in the Chapel on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. from September through May. The Band plays a huge range of styles from around the globe and across the centuries including jazz, gospel, bluegrass, Celtic, folk, and much more. The entire band plays about once per month, with smaller combos from the band of differing styles playing the other weeks. In addition, talented guest musicians join us from time to time. Band members need to be able to pick up music quickly in just one rehearsal. Members need not commit to every week. Rehearsals are at 3:45 p.m. in the Chapel.
Check out our our studio album Drawn From the Well! A great compilation of roots, gospel, jazz, Celtic, and more. Available for free at the church, or for purchase at CDbaby, Itunes, etc.
A Joyful Noyse is a resident early music group at Hancock. AJN specializes in liturgical music of the 16th-18th centuries. It consists of talented amateur and professional musicians from the greater Boston area who have a passion for early music. In addition to providing music for our Sunday morning services 4-6 times a year, the ensemble performs three concerts a year. To schedule an audition or to find out more about the group contact joyful.noyse@hancockchurch.org.