White's Chapel United Methodist Church

White’s Chapel United Methodist Church

Worship Orchestra Overview

Introduction
The White’s Chapel United Methodist Church Worship Orchestra provides a rewarding opportunity for instrumentalists to offer their musical talents in a structured, high-quality, and challenging ensemble. The group provides congregational accompaniment and performs feature pieces during the 11:00 a.m. traditional worship service.

Skill Levels
The orchestra includes players with a wide range of skill levels and experience—from developing high school players, to adults becoming reacquainted with their instruments from high school or college, to degreed professional players.

We encourage all instrumentalists with the following essential skills to participate:

•    Proficient technical facility
•    Good sight-reading ability
•    Ability to play in tune and blend in a section

Players are welcome to sit in on rehearsals until they feel they are ready to perform in a service. The group promotes a “no-pressure” atmosphere in which no one is put on the spot. Rehearsals are conducted as a group and single players are not called on to play individually.

Age Requirements
Considering the challenging nature of the orchestra (e.g., limited rehearsal time, music difficulty), the recommended minimum age is 9th grade. In some cases, younger students can participate if they demonstrate a strong desire and ability to handle the demands of the group. Most sections include an experienced adult member eager to mentor younger players in the section.

Performance Standards
The orchestra has become a key component of the traditional worship services, which calls for a consistently high level of performance.

While skill levels vary across the group, the orchestra strives for professional standards and to continually improve through its commitment to excellence. This requires being individually prepared, attentive and focused in rehearsals, punctual to all rehearsals and performances, and musically aware (tuning, balance, listening to others, etc.).

Rehearsals
Rehearsal occur on Sunday morning prior to the worship service. The weekly schedule is as follows:

9:20 a.m. – Orchestra Call
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Rehearse
10:30 – 10:45: Final run-through of anthem and special music with choir
Where: Choir room (behind sanctuary)

Special services at Easter and Christmas involve a dress rehearsal the Wednesday or Saturday prior to the performance day.

Instrument Cases
Larger instrument cases are placed in the orchestra rehearsal room located at the northeast entrance of the sanctuary (outside the choir room).

Services

Weekly Services
Prelude music starts at approximately 10:55 a.m. with the service starting promptly at 11:00 a.m. The orchestra should be seated no later than 10:55 a.m. The service ends at approximately 12:00 noon.

Communion Sundays
The first Sunday of the month (except July 4th weekend) is Communion Sunday. The orchestra performs a special feature piece during the offertory. Also, as the congregation takes Communion, the orchestra plays Communion music located at the back of the music binder. Prior to the service, the orchestra is invited to take Communion with the choir in the choir room.

Special Services
In addition to weekly services, the orchestra performs for special holiday services at Easter, Christmas, and July 4th. These services require an extra dress rehearsal and involve multiple services (2 to 4) on the performance day.

Service Etiquette
The orchestra is in plain view of the congregation, especially from the balconies. To avoid being a distraction, unnecessary movement and talking is kept to a minimum.

Attendance
Unlike a choir that has basically four parts (i.e., soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), a typical orchestra score has over 15 separate parts, each with its unique and important role. Full attendance helps ensure the best performances. However, absences are sometimes unavoidable and expected. Players simply are asked to make an earnest attempt to attend as frequently as their personal schedules permit.

Weekly Rehearsal Attendance Policy
Players are discouraged from showing up just in time to play the service only, with no rehearsal. It is to everyone’s benefit that all players attend the 9:30 rehearsal before playing in the service.

Instrumentation and Music
The group uses standard orchestral instrumentation, which includes the following parts:

Flute 1 and 2
Oboe
Clarinet 1 and 2
Bassoon
French Horn
Trumpet 1 and 2
Trombone 1 and 2
Tuba
Violin 1 and 2
Viola
Cello
String Bass
Percussion

The orchestra performs a variety of arrangements by well-known Christian arrangers and publishers, as well as arrangements by orchestra members. Hymn orchestrations are from “The Celebration Hymnal” (Word Music). Hymns found only in the Methodist Hymnal do not have orchestrations, which requires players to select a voice (soprano melody, alto, tenor, or bass) appropriate for their instrument. Transposition skills are required for non-concert pitch instruments (e.g., clarinet, trumpet, french horn).
 
Music Binders
Each instrumental part has a three-ring binder that contains all service music. These binders are updated weekly and are organized according to the service’s order of worship. To ensure that all binders are updated for the following week, they must be returned to their storage location in the orchestra room after the service ends.

If desired, players may make personal copies of music to practice at home. A copy machine is available in the orchestra room and the choir room.

Dress
During non-summer months (Labor Day to Memorial Day), the orchestra wears “casual black” for uniformity. This can include black pants (or skirt or dress for ladies) and black shirt (collared, non-collared, or polo).

During summer months, the orchestra is free to wear non-black “summer casual” clothing.

Note: The temperature in the orchestra pit can be chilly, so a sweater or other covering can come in handy.

Instrumental Preludes
Players have the opportunity to perform instrumental solo or ensemble pieces during the service preludes. Pieces should be no longer than 4 minutes, and that they be appropriate for the traditional mood of the service.

Shaunna LaCroix schedules the performance dates. The soloist or ensemble organizer is responsible for coordinating rehearsal time with the accompanist and/or ensemble members.  

Community Service Credits
High school players can apply hours from orchestra rehearsals and services toward community service credit. Students keep a log of their orchestra hours and submit their community service forms to Shaunna LaCroix or Chris Seiter for signature.

More Information
For more information, please contact:

Shaunna LaCroix, Director of Traditional Worship: 817-481-4147; slacroix@whiteschapelumc.com

Chris Seiter, Orchestra Manager: 817-481-7870; cseiter@yahoo.com