Music is vital to worship at Little River UCC. Choirs for adults, junior and senior high school youth, and younger children lead the congregation in worship and provide fellowship for choir members. Our pipe organ, a two-manual instrument built for Little River by the Holtkamp Organ Company and installed in the early 1980s, adds richness to congregational and choral singing.

Congregational Singing
Little River takes to heart the charge to “make a joyful noise,” with a tradition of robust congregational singing. Our primary source for hymns and responses is the Chalice Hymnal, but worship planners draw from many other resources, including the Taizé tradition, contemporary music, and original compositions.

Choirs
The choirs contribute to congregational worship with both classical and contemporary music. They present special music programs for Lent, Advent, and Easter, as well as on other occasions throughout the year.

Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir, an adult SATB choir, sings a variety of music from the Medieval era to the present day. Generally, this choir provides service music and an anthem for one service each week. Christian holy days and special events in the life of the church make up the balance of the Sanctuary Choir schedule.

The Sanctuary Choir practices on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., and usually meets 45 minutes before worship. Additional rehearsal and service participation may take place for special music during the seasons of Advent and Lent and at Christmas and Easter.

Contemporary Choir
The Contemporary Choir is a multi-generational ensemble that enjoys singing contemporary, traditional folk, and world music. The Contemporary Choir assists in worship on approximately a monthly basis, often accompanied by guitar.

The Contemporary Choir practices on selected Sundays at 12:15 p.m.

Joyful Noise
Joyful Noise is a youth choir for grades 6-12. This choir performs a variety of music from classical to folk, including many contemporary anthems. Singers learn to work with others and develop their musical talents in a Christ-centered environment.

Joyful Noise assists at worship on a regular basis and practices on Sundays at 10:45 a.m.

Salt of the Earth
Salt of the Earth welcomes children in grades 1-5 to rehearse regularly and sing in services throughout the school year. Beyond the children’s church school experiences, this choir offers an opportunity to learn a variety of musical traditions, instruments, and choral techniques in an atmosphere of fun, sharing their accomplishments periodically with the congregation. This experience offers a wonderful foundation for developing young musical talents.

Salt of the Earth sings in worship once or twice each month and usually practices Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

Summer Music Program
From June through Labor Day, the choirs take a holiday. During this season, members and friends of Little River present a rich variety of solo and ensemble music during worship. Performers include individual members from the various choirs, members of the congregation at large, and guests from the broader community.

If you are interested in providing special summer music, please contact any member of the music staff or the music committee. Both instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome.

All are Welcome!

All choirs welcome new members who share a love of singing.  Musical skills are polished in rehearsal.  Click here for more information.

Music Staff (Meet our staff)

Craig Stapert
Organist and Sanctuary Choir Director

Nancy Huddleston
Director, Joyful Noise (Youth Choir) and Contemporary Choir

Kenyon Erickson
Director, Salt of the Earth Choir (Children’s Choir)