First Congregational UCC offers many opportunities for expressing yourself through music. Our worship service is always full of music, including hymn singing, organ preludes and postludes, choral anthems and a cappela introits. On selected Sundays, we have instrumental and vocal soloists, handbells, and children's music. The Director of Music Ministries is Donald J. DeBruin. He may be contacted at ddebruin@firstcongmadison.org or tel. 233-9751.

Weekly Music Notes
On this web page, we offer notes about hymns and other music to be included during the following Sunday worship service. Since there is little room to include this kind of information in the bulletin, we hope this will be of use to everyone who enjoys music and would like to know more about the origin of lyrics and tunes.

Vocal Choirs
Chancel Choir
Chancel Choir practices Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the chapel and Sundays at 9:15am under the leadership of the Director of Music Ministries, Donald DeBruin from September through May. During the summer, a choir of Summer Singers practices at 9:00am in the Chapel before worship on two Sundays each month. Twice a year, during Advent and during Lent, the Chancel Choir invites extra singers to form the Cantata Choir to perform a special Sunday worship cantata for the holiday season.

Cherub Choir
The Cherub Choir for young children, kindergarten through 4th grade, meets weekly 11:15 to 11:45 A.M. after Sunday worship in Room 301. The choir participates in worship on the second Sunday of the month.

See the children’s activities page for descriptions of other musical opportunities for children and youth, such as the Christmas Pageant.

Handbell Choirs
Coventry Ringers (Adult)
Challenging music and splendid musicianship are demonstrated by these experienced ringers. Repertoire is varied, from Baroque to Contemporary. The Coventry Ringers participate in worship five or six times during the year and also ring in local handbell festivals. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 6:00 until 7:30pm in Room 301, September through May.

Chapel Ringers (Adult)
This group enjoys hand chimes and fellowship in a relaxed, daytime setting. The music is varied and ranges from easy to moderate in difficulty. No experience is necessary and the ability to read music is not required. Rehearsals are Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 to 3:45pm in Room 301 from September through May.

Celebration Ringers (5th through 12th grade)
The youth in this bell choir learn basic ringing techniques and musicianship for both chimes and handbells. Music reading ability is helpful but not required. Ringers in this group also learn to sing some contemporary, Christian worship songs. The choir participates regularly in Sunday worship. Rehearsals are the first and third Sundays of the month from 4:30 until 5:15 P.M. and are followed by the Mid-High or Senior Hight Youth Meetings.

Other Music Offerings
First Congregational UCC is the home of the chamber music ensemble Con Vivo. Formed in 2002 by church members Kathryn and Robert Taylor and church music director Don DeBruin, Con Vivo presents two concerts each season featuring little-known and seldom heard chamber music of all eras. Currently, the ensemble consists of two violins, viola, cello, string bass,clarinet, flute, French horn, bassoon, oboe, and organ.

Other musical organizations of Madison also make use of our sanctuary for concerts. These include the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and its annual “Sing Out Messiah” in December, and other holiday concerts by Madison Area Concert Handbells and by Perfect Harmony, the Madison area gay men’s chorus. Other frequent guest performers include the Festival Choir of Madison and several local folk music ensembles.

To learn more about the music ministry of First Congregational UCC, just chat with any member of a choir or call Don DeBruin at 233-9751. Join us for fellowship, fabulous music, and fun.