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EDEN   PRAIRIE

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JANUARY MUSIC NOTES

Happy 2006! And the start of the new calendar year means that all the Prairie Church Music Programs will be going again after the short break over the Christmas holiday. If you’ve been thinking about participating in one of the music opportunities, now is a good time to jump in, as all of the groups will begin working on new music. Here’s a quick review of the opportunities available to you and your family.

The Chancel Choir provides music on most Sundays from September through early June. We sing a wide range of musical styles from traditional classic church anthems to spirituals to contemporary – we even tackle a cappella works! The choir is always looking for and trying new and challenging music to help us grow both musically and spiritually. The Chancel Choir rehearses on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Wednesdays (and the 5^th Wednesday in March) of each month. The Chancel Choir is open to all adults and high school students.

The Prairie Praise Band provides music for both services on the 2^nd Sunday of the month from October through May leading the congregation in contemporary-style music setting.

The Praise Band rehearses on the 1^st Wednesday of each month from 7:15 to 8:45 PM in the Sanctuary. The Praise Band is open to all adults and high school students.

The Adult Handbell Choir continues to ring strong and clear and has become an important and exciting part of our Music Program. The bell choir plays in worship approximately once every five to six weeks and for special services, for example Christmas Eve and during Lent. The Adult Handbell Choir also goes “on the road” annually, playing at the Fort Snelling Chapel on the Sunday after Easter. The Adult Handbell Choir rehearses on Thursday from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Sanctuary and is open to all adults.

The Youth Handbell Choir is for students in grades 9 through 12. There are plenty of bells available for ringing so why not give it a try! The Youth Handbell Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th (and 5^th) Wednesdays from 6:15 to 6:50 PM.

The Youth Handchime Choir got off to a great start last fall in the first music rotation and should continue to grow as they begin the next rotation from January through February. The Handchime Choir is open to all youth grades 5 through 8 and is a great way for younger musicians to learn more about music and develop the ringing skills necessary to make the move into the Youth Handbell Choir easier. The Handchime Choir is directed by Brenda and Katelyn Starkey and Kathy Jarvis.

The new Youth Choir provided beautiful music in worship during Advent and looks to do more of the same when their next rotation begins. The Youth Choir is an opportunity for the kids of Prairie Church to keep on singing (beyond 6^th grade), to be a part of the church Music Programs and participate in worship. The Youth Choir is lead by Jeanne Palmer, Jeanette Parr and David Kottke and promises to be a lot of fun! The Youth Choir follows the Handchime Choir in the music program cycle rehearsing March through May.

NOTE: The Handchime Choir and Youth Choirs meet in alternating two-month sessions from September through May. Rehearsals for both groups will be the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Goldenrod Room.

The Prairie Kids Choir is our youngest group of musicians. This energetic and enthusiastic group of kids both rings and sings and has a lot of fun making music! The Prairie Kids Choir is lead by Brenda and Katelyn Starkey and meets each Sunday from 10:05 to 10:25 AM between services in the Goldenrod Room.

If you have questions about any of the Music Program groups listed above, contact Don Prestly, Director of Music Ministries, at the church (952-937-8781) or at (612) 201-4311.

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