Music Ministry (Director - Shawn Gingrich)

Join in Singing Praises to God at FUMC-Hershey

Worship is the focus of musical life at FUMC-Hershey. Our congregation sings hymns and songs from a wide variety of traditions and backgrounds. Instruments used to support our singing include the Kilgen pipe organ, piano, keyboard, guitars, drums and more. 

Opportunities to participate in a singing choir are available for all ages. Nine choirs involving over 230 children, youth and adults enrich our worship. 

Other instrumentalists are invited to help lead worship by providing special musical selections as well as by supporting the congregational song. In the summer months all are invited to share their gifts in providing special music for worship. Highlights include the singing of our Vacation Bible School and our Summer Worship Choir which rehearses prior to worship each week.

Our Music Leadership Is Provided By:

• Shawn Gingrich - Director of Music Ministry 

• Sarah Curry - Director of Cherub Choir 

• Donna Brown - Co-Director of Youth Handbell Choir

Rehearsal Schedule

Registration for Children's Choirs is now open. Forms are located on the counter adjacent to the Welcome Center or here. Children who will be 3 by September 1 through those entering 5th grade are eligible.

Children's Choirs

• Joyful Noise Group (Ages Three and Four): Sundays 6:30-7:15 p.m.
  Begins October 5, 2008
• Cherub Choir (Kindergarten-Second Grade): Sundays 6:30-7:15 p.m.
  Begins October 5, 2008
• Chapel Choir (Third-Fifth Grades): Wednesdays 4-4:45 p.m.
  Begins August 27, 2008
• Children's Handbell Choir (Third-Fifth Grades): Wednesdays 4:45-5:30 p.m.
  Begins August 27, 2008

Youth Choirs

• Youth Handbell Choir (Sixth-Twelfth Grades): Sundays 4:30-5:15 p.m.
• Youth Choir (Sixth-Twelfth Grades): Sundays 5:15-6 p.m.

Adult Choirs

• Praise Team: Thursdays 7-9:30 p.m.
• Trinity Choir: Alternate Thursdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Adult Handbell Choir: Wednesdays 6:15-7:30 p.m.
• Sanctuary Choir: Wednesdays 7:30-9 p.m.
   

Joyful Noise Group

The Joyful Noise group is for children ages three and four. Rehearsals are Sundays 6:30-7:15 p.m. In early childhood, we learn language and we know that at that time it is more easily learned and absorbed. The same is true of music. Experiencing music early in life can impact cognitive development and can lead to developing a higher level of reasoning skills. Through various learning styles preschool children are able to experiment, learn through play, and experience the rudiments of reading and writing music “hands on.” Movement is an important element with this age group and can help children internalize the music. At this age, children are excited, energetic and eager to explore their surroundings and their bodies to constantly learn new things. Given time to explore with structured activities and much repetition, and building concept upon concept in a careful process of preparation, presentation and practice, children will enjoy learning simple musical concepts that will last a lifetime.

Using experience as a certified Kindermusik® instructor and the helpful Stepping Stones curriculum produced by Choristers Guild, Director of Music Ministry Shawn Gingrich has built a customized program for three- and four-year old children to begin or continue their musical and spiritual journey.

Some of the musical components that are shared and learned are:

• vocal exploration (leading to proper use of the voice and good vocal quality)

• feeling the beat (natural rhythm leading to rhythmic echoing and reading)

• hearing high and low/short and long (leading to music reading)

• recognizing fast and slow/loud and soft; and 

• sharing simple songs of faith which support musical concepts being learned. 

Cherub Choir 

Click on the below images (by Bill Fraley) to see more Cherub Choir performances.

Chapel Choir 

The Chapel Choir welcomes children from third through fifth grades. The Chapel Choir learns rudimentary music reading and simple part singing. This choir sings for worship once each month. Rehearsals are Wednesdays 4-4:45 p.m.

(Photos by Bill Fraley)

Children's Handbell Choir 

The Children's Handbell Choir is for children from third through fifth grades who love music and enjoy the fellowship of ringing bells. Rehearsals are Wednesdays 4:45-5:30 p.m.

Youth Handbell Choir 

The Youth Handbell Choir welcomes students in sixth through twelfth grade. The youth are divided into two groups rehearsing on Sundays 4:30-5:15 p.m. All groups play music that employs the five-octave set and the three-octave set of Malmark handbells and the five octaves of Malmark HandChimes. Donna Brown and Shawn Gingrich are Co-Directors of the Youth Handbell Choir. 

(Photo by Bill Fraley)

Youth Choir 

The Youth Choir is an informal choir of sixth through twelfth grade students. The choir sings for worship once each month. Rehearsals are Sundays from 5:15-6 p.m.

(Photo by Bill Fraley)

Praise Team 

The Praise Team is a choir for adults that sings for our 9:15 a.m. celebration worship service. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7-9:30 p.m.

Trinity Choir 

The Trinity Choir is a choir for adults that sings for our 8 a.m. traditional worship service twice each month. Rehearsals are alternate Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sanctuary Choir 

The Sanctuary Choir is a choir for adults that sings for our 11:00 a.m. traditional worship service every Sunday as well as other special worship services. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:30-9 p.m.

Adult Handbell Choir 

The Adult Handbell Choir is for adults. This group play music that employs the five-octave set of Malmark handbells and the five octaves of Malmark Hand Chimes. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 6:15-7:30 p.m.

(Photo by Bill Fraley)

Music Factory

Music Factory 2009 - Scheduled for June 22-26, 2009

Music Factory 2007 - Our seventh annual Music Factory, summer day camp for children entering grades K-6, was held the week of June 18 to 22. Twenty-nine children participated and presented the musical entitled “Singing the Seasons: The Greatest Shepherd” by Michael Bedford. Click here to view photos from Music Factory 2007.

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Music Factory 2006 - Participants presented the  musical entitled Elijah on Friday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. Click Here for Photos of the Music Factory's Elijah Performance

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Music Factory 2005 - The participants of Music Factory 2005 presented the musical, Imagine God! by Jann Aldredge-Clanton and Larry Schultz on Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Twenty-two area children participated in the church’s fifth annual Music Factory.

The choir camp was staffed by Director of Music Ministry, Shawn Gingrich, Nick and Sarah Curry, Merle Milhimes, Cristal Janderchick, Lisa Hayes, Sharon Reed and Susan Mann-Smith. Music Factory participants were: Erin Blumling, Kayleigh Brown, Anne Forshey, Rebekah Forshey, Peter Gingrich, Emily Harris, Leah Holbrook, Hannah Jones, Korryn Kehler, Alyssa Kretz, Grace Long, Malachi Long, Ross Mowrey, Savannah Moyer, Mallory Royer, Tia Smith, Emma Stover, Madalyn Stover, Rachel Straw, Sarah Taylor, Jason Young, and Olivia Young.

Below are pictures (by Laura Gingrich) of the June 24 concert:

Camp staff member Sarah Curry plays the flute.

Organ Project

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR ORGAN

Our present instrument was built by the now defunct Kilgen Organ Company of St. Louis, Missouri. It was installed in February of 1957 at a cost of $28,815. It contains 26 ranks of pipes, totaling 1,811 individual pipes. The console controls these pipes playable from three manuals and pedal.

The first pipe organ installed in this building was acquired in 1932 and dedicated on the fourth anniversary of our building in November, 1932. It was a three-manual instrument built by Midmer-Losch. That instrument served our church for merely twenty-four years before it was replaced.  

After years of faithful service we are experiencing problems which can not be repaired without major rebuilding of the console and pipe chests. An Organ Committee has been established to study the instrument and develop recommendations for its future.  

ORGAN COMMITTEE 

In April 2002, a committee was formed to study the condition of the instrument and investigate options for its repair, improvement, or replacement. The committee consists of six members of the congregation along with our Director of Music Ministry Shawn Gingrich and Senior Pastor Jim Dawes: Dan Bruce, Jim Chestnut, Pauline Copp, Bill Curry, Ron Louder, and Rick Zentmeyer. The committee has met to discuss these issues and to begin developing a plan to recommend to the congregation. They have met organ builders who can explain the problems and possible solutions. They have also visited the work of builders represented in area churches. Additionally, an organ fund was established so that gifts could be designated for the future project. Those wishing to contribute can direct funds to our church's Finance Office noting them for the organ fund. Fox’s grocery receipts are also being collected to gain proceeds for the organ fund. That box is located on the counter across from the church welcome center. 

We have received contract bids from various organ builders for either rebuilding and enlarging the instrument or replacing the instrument with a completely new instrument. Proposed contracts range from $300,000 to $830,000.

ORGAN PICTURES

Click on the below images (by Shawn Gingrich) to see larger pictures of our organ.

  Choir - Front       Choir - Rear     Choir - Trumpet     Swell - Front       Swell - Rear     

       Console              Chimes              Harp - Rear       Great - Front     Great Principals

MORE ORGAN INFORMATION

Click on the links below to learn more about our organ. The free Adobe Reader needs to be installed to view the links.

Specifications for Our Organ 

Organ Brochure - Part One

Organ Brochure - Part Two

Organ Brochure - Part Three

Organ Brochure - Part Four

Concert Series

The 2008-2009 Concert Series will include four regular season concerts. All concerts are free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be received at the door. Childcare is always provided.

The Ministers of Music
October 12, 2008, 3:00 p.m.

All members are or at one time were Ministers Of Music in a church. Lamar Dourte, first tenor, has sung with the group since it started 28 years ago; Steve Fickert, second tenor, is Director of Music at Harvest Presbyterian church; John Frye, accompanist, is Pastor of Worship at Calvary Church; Robert Kettering, baritone, is Senior Pastor at Lititz Church of the Brethren, he is also an accomplished organist and pianist, and is a charter member of the group; Ronald Ludwick, bass, is pastor of the Lebanon Church of the Brethren.
 

The Covington String Quartet
January 25, 2009 3:00 p.m.

Established in 2001, the Covington String Quartet has quickly become an important musical force. Charming and challenging audiences and critics alike with performances of classical and contemporary works, the quartet retains a focus on great quartet masters of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Herb Dimmock Singers
March 29, 2009 3:00 p.m. 

Beginning in 1995, some of the most talented singers in Baltimore began to sing together. In 2003 they formalized their relationship and became the Herb Dimmock Singers, named for their director. Today the Herb Dimmock Singers number 26 superb vocalists. The ensemble sings music of many styles with great skill and polish. 



Brandywine Harp Orchestra
May 3, 2009 4:00 p.m

The Brandywine Harp Orchestra, a group of sixteen Celtic harpers, was organized in 2000 by Janet Witman. They have delighted audiences with their concerts throughout our region.

All concerts are free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be received at the door. Childcare is always provided.

For further information, contact Shawn Gingrich.

Sounds of Bronze

Orders for the recording of the church handbell concert are now being taken. We will produce them beginning June 15 and we are only making 150 copies. Order yours today by filling out your request and submitting it with your payment. Fill out the order form and return it with your payment ($9 each). The free Adobe Reader needs to be installed to print the form.

This is a live recording from the Church Handbell Concert on April 17, 2005 by the Children's Handbell Choir, Praise Ringers, Exaltation Ringers, Adoration Ringers, Adult Handbell Choir and Hershey Handbell Ensemble under the direction of Donna Brown, Will Curry and Shawn Gingrich. Titles include: Processional Jubilee (Page); My Lord, What a Morning (arr. Thompson); A Gentle Chorale (Burroughs); Peace Like a River (arr. Eithun); Awesome God (arr. Bettcher); Shout to the Lord (arr. Bettcher); Thy Word (arr. Bettcher); How Majestic is Your Name (arr. Cota); Joshua (Hascall); Come Christians, Join to Sing (Hymn); Lamb of God (arr. Waldrop); Walk in the Light (Buckwalter); Siyahamba (arr. Ward); Dorian Dance (Joy); Serenity (Smith); and Elite Syncopations (Joplin / arr. Gingrich).

Registrations for Children's Choir are now open. See rehearsal schedule and registration form.

FUMC Hershey Sacred Concert Series Presents
The Ministers of Music
October 12, 2008, 3 p.m.

2008-2009 Sacred Concert Series - We are seeking sponsors for the 2008-2009 season. See schedule here. To become a sponsor, please fill out a sponsor form here and return it to the church office with your contribution.

“Moo Money” Needed for Organ Fund - We have 118 milk lids so far. When we get to 500 we can submit them to Turkey Hill Dairy. Products with the special “Moo money” sticker on the lid are on their products sold only at Turkey Hill Mini Markets. A box is located on the counter beside the Welcome Center.

Music Ministry Opportunity for Children & Youth – Any piano or instrumental student wishing to play a sacred or classical selection appropriate for Worship, please contact Shawn Gingrich at 533-9668.

Sounds of Bronze Form

Handbell Fund Established – A number of special gifts have been given to purchase treble bells. Anyone wishing to give a bell as a memorial, contact Shawn Gingrich at 533-9668. Cost range from $215 for treble bells to $2,200 for bass bells.