Salem Creative Arts
Whether it’s visual art, drama or music, the creative process happens with limited materials at hand.
God magnifies what little we do for God’s glory. Holding this in faith, there are many safe Music and Creative Arts rehearsal settings to make something beautiful for God in our worship, within the limitations of the pandemic.
The Children’s Choir will not sing, but will morph into an arts workshop with movement, rhythm instruments, ASL and more. Can you help create this space for the children with your presence at some rehearsals?
The Celebration Voices choir will not meet with everyone together, but smaller groups will play and sing special music. Would you like to sing or play in worship?
And more opportunities include Puppet Praise on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm, and the Handbell Choir rehearses at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
In September, you’ll see Puppet Praise on Rally Day, a women’s group will sing “The Prayer of the Children,” and we’ll hear ukulele music during the children’s time. October’s offerings will be just as diverse. Please be in touch to talk about how you can be a part of Salem’s Creative Arts ministry. Thanks!
Michael Carlson
Coordinator of Music Ministry
Salem Creative Arts
Salem Creative Arts/ Music Ministry offers a wide variety of worship support ensembles. Gifts of music and praise enrich and enhance services as people of all ages work together to share music as their gift to God, the congregation, and community.
Adult and Children's Vocal Choirs and Intergenerational Handbell and Puppet Teams participate in worship on a rotating basis and rehearse weekly.
Seasonal groups include Brass, Flute, Praise-style, or Vocal Ensembles and a Festival of Carols at Christmas. Salem Children's Choir shares an annual Spring Musical. Individual gifts of music are most welcome as well.
Upcoming Creative Arts Offerings in Worship:
September 11/12: Rally Day! – Puppet Praise: “Never Too Old”
September 18/19: Celebration Voices: “Prayer of the Children”
September 25/26: Puppet Praise; Jenna Hoffman, Ukelele: “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”
October 2/3: Sounds of Grace Handbell
October 16/17: Celebration Voices: “You Raise Me Up”
Michael Carlson is recruiting people to be part of future presentation by our Music and Creative Arts Ensembles. If you are interested in being part of these ministries, please let him know. Thanks!
Choirs
Salem Vocal Choirs gather groups of children and adults to teach the faith in song and celebrate God's love and grace in worship. Please consider exploring the gift of music God has given you or your child.
Talk to Michael Carlson about how to get involved in any of the ensembles that interest you. Everyone is welcome and there is a place for you in one of the many music and creative arts ensembles.
Salem Children's Choir
Children’s Choir is for 3rd grade old through 8th grade. who learn about Jesus's life and teach as they practice. Rehearsals are from 5:15 -6:15 p.m. in the choir room Wednesdays. They will not be meeting in October.
Due to CoVid, the children will not be singing this fall. So what will the children be doing at rehearsal you may ask, to prepare to present in worship? That could include a number of things. Suggestions have been: doing ASL with music tracks, drawing and painting, choreography, speaking in other languages, and playing percussion instruments.
Rehearsals are from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the choir room Wednesdays. They will not be meeting in October.
Celebration Voices
The Celebration Voices choir for those high school ad older who enjoy singing songs of faith in harmony. The rehearse Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the choir room September 15- May. All ability levels are welcome. Sing for a month or two if you cannot commit to the whole season!
Due to CoVid, we are not singing as a whole ensemble at this time Smaller group are presenting music in the Saturday and Sunday worship services. New singer of all abilities are always welcome. Reading music is not required. Contact Michael Carlson about your interest and he will find a place for your voice.
Puppet Praise
Sounds of Grace Handbell Choir
Sounds of Grace Bells is for middle school and older, youth and adults who enjoy the teamwork of a handbell choir and the blessing of songs of faith. Each ringer plays 2 to 4 bells and learns to ring them with various techniques as indicated in the score. The ability to read music is preferred; others can learn. Ringers work with a 3-octave set of Malmark handbells and play for worship once or twice a month and for Festival services. Rehearsals are from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Thursdays in the Balcony.
Please contact Michael Carlson, michael@slcsycamore.org if you have questions or wish to participate.
Festival of Carols or Cantatas at Salem
Adult and youth singers come together once or twice a year to prepare special Christmas or Lenten programs, extended works of narration, and songs. Instrumentalists or soloists are often featured in these worship presentations. Rehearsals are held on scheduled Sunday and Wednesday evenings prior to the presentation and all singers are welcome.
Brass Ensembles
Easter and Christmas Brass Ensembles lend to the Festive atmosphere of these special services. Rehearsals are scheduled at the convenience of those participating. Please consider sharing your gift! Watch the Events pages for upcoming dates.
Individual Gifts of Praise
Singing & Ringing Memorials
Financial support for Salem Creative Arts is always welcome and appreciated. Choral or handbell anthems, musicals, or cantatas may be sponsored in honor or in memory of someone.
Gifts are acknowledged in the bulletin the first time the music is shared and are cataloged as Singing or Ringing Memorials in a permanent file. Amounts of $25-$30 sponsors a handbell anthem, $40-$50 sponsors a choral anthem, and $400-$500 gift sponsors a musical or cantata. Several smaller gifts may also be combined to sponsor any of these categories.
The generosity of Salem congregation and friends has enabled Salem Creative Arts to build a good choral library with a wide variety of traditional, historic, and contemporary hymn and song arrangements for worship.
Gifts to Salem Puppet Praise Ministry in any amount are also welcomed to purchase puppets or equipment. Our puppet inventory has grown to about 75 puppets from small bugs to full-sized people and animal puppets through special gifts and memorials.
We are grateful for all involved and extend a warm welcome to others interested.
Michael Carlson michael@slcsycamore.org