Music in Ministry

at First Christian Church of Stow

 

If you’re interested in making music,

 there’s a group for you at First Christian. 

If you would like to know more about our choirs and ensembles, please talk to us after worship,

 call us at 330-688-4450,

or email us at dirmusic@firstchristianstow.org.

 

ACORN CHOIR

Our youngest musicians are in Kindergarten through 2nd grade.  They sing and play handchimes, and twice a year they present a musical along with the Crusader Choir.  The director is Cora Dowey, assisted by Karen Hoffman.  The Acorn Choir rehearses each Wednesday, 5:30-6:45 p.m.  Help from choir parents is needed and appreciated!

CRUSADER CHOIR

This choir is for children in grades 3-6.  They sing and begin to learn how to ring handbells, and twice a year they present a musical along with the Acorn Choir.  The director is Cheryl Delaney, assisted by Lee Ann Veatch.  The Crusader Choir rehearses 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.  Help from choir parents is needed and appreciated!

 

GRACE NOTES

Grace Notes is a choir for girls in grades 7-12 who enjoy singing a variety of musical styles in two-three parts, from traditional choral to contemporary songs.  Grace Notes rehearse Sunday evenings before youth groups at 5:30 p.m., directed by Cheryl Neff Lorenz.

BASS NOTES

Bass Notes is our choir for boys in grades 7-12 who enjoy singing a variety of musical styles in two-three parts, from traditional choral to contemporary songs.  Bass Notes rehearse Sunday evenings before youth groups at 5:30 p.m., directed by Ralph Lorenz.

 

CHANCEL CHOIR

Our adult choir is open to all adults and to high school students. 

We enjoy singing a variety of choral styles, including traditional, light classical, gospel, and contemporary.  The Chancel Choir sings regularly in Sunday 10:45 a.m. worship and rehearses Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m., accompanied by organist Andrea Drews.  Ralph Lorenz is the director, assisted by Cheryl Neff Lorenz.

 

SILENT PRAISE

This intergenerational group is open to all adults and to children 3rd grade and older.  They interpret songs in sign language.  Absolutely no experience is necessary; they learn each song together!  Silent Praise rehearses two to three Sundays a month, 12:15-1:00 p.m.  Cheryl Neff Lorenz is the director.

 

JOYFUL NOISE

This group is for anyone, of any age from 6th grade through adults, who wants to play handbells.  No previous experience or music-reading ability is necessary—that’s the unique thing about playing handbells.  We’ll teach you what you need to know.  This is our only intergenerational handbell group, and they have lots of fun.  The more advanced ringers in the group help the others learn.  Joyful Noise rehearses Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m.  The director is Andrea Drews.

 

The following are our more specialized groups.  If you’re interested in any of these, please speak with Ralph Lorenz.

 

SPIRITUS

Our newest choir, Spiritus, is an auditioned ensemble of 12-16 singers, performing a wide variety of more difficult music in styles ranging from Renaissance to vocal jazz and everything in between.  Spiritus is led by Ralph and Cheryl Neff Lorenz.

 

JOY BELLS

Joy Bells, our adult advanced handbell ensemble, performs year round for both church and community events and have traveled throughout Ohio and in Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Arizona.  Joy Bells are directed by Ralph Lorenz.

 

CELEBRATION RINGERS

Celebration Ringers are our youth advanced handbell ringers. 

In addition to performing at church and community functions throughout Ohio, they have performed in Virginia, Florida, and Indiana.  Ralph Lorenz, director, is assisted by Lee Ann Veatch and Betty Fletcher.

 

CHAPEL BELLS

Our smallest handbell ensemble performs mostly for church and community gatherings during the day, and is made up of members of Joy Bells and Celebration Ringers.

 

CELEBRATION RINGERS ALUMNI

This special group brings back alumni of Celebration Ringers to play in worship and other special events.  Ralph Lorenz directs.

 

THE WAY

Our worship band, The Way, includes keyboards, guitar, percussion, flute, voices, and other instruments.  Their ministry is to lead congregational singing in a dynamic way.  Ralph Lorenz directs. 

 

FIRST CHRISTIAN ORCHESTRA

The First Christian Orchestra is for instrumentalists of all ages who can read and play music at a hymn level.  The orchestra occasionally accompanies congregational singing and plays special music, under the direction of Ralph Lorenz. 

 

 

ABOUT THE MUSIC STAFF

            Ralph Lorenz and Cheryl Neff Lorenz were appointed Directors

of Music at First Christian Church of Stow in November 1997. 

Dr. Lorenz holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees in composition from California State University Long Beach, and a Ph.D. in music theory from Indiana University.  He is currently Associate Professor of Music Theory and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University.  Cheryl Neff Lorenz received a Bachelor of Music degree in Choral/Vocal Music from CSU Long Beach.  Both are active as composers, arrangers, performers, and directors.

            Andrea Drews earned a BA in Music Performance (Harpsichord) and Management from Hiram College and the MS in Human Resource Management from The University of Akron.  She plays both organ and piano and accompanies the Chancel Choir.  Andrea is also a member of the Joy Bells and occasionally sings vocal solos within worship services.  She has been an active member of the Akron Symphony Chorus, the Blossom Festival Chorus, and the Larry Wilgus Singers in the Christmas Music Spectacular.

            Cheryl Delaney and Cora Dowey bring to our music program at First Christian Church many years of experience in the field of children’s and youth music.  Both are active in many of our choirs and ensembles, as performers and/or directors.  Each year they provide a nurturing, loving environment for children to grow in music and faith, and the congregation is blessed by the outstanding musical productions they direct. 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Revised February 2008