If you are a long-time participant in COS music, we look forward to seeing you again this year! If you’ve never been a part of the music ensembles but are interested in joining, we would love to welcome you to one or more of the below groups. The schedules below are to help you as you plan your schedules for this coming year. Please add these dates to your calendars.
If you have any questions about this schedule or about COS worship in general, please don’t hesitate to contact Maria Stapert Vander Berg, Minister of Worship, at maria.stapert@coscrc.org.
Tree of Life Choir
The Tree of Life Choir is comprised of singers of various ages and abilities and aims to be a liturgical choir that will support and adorn the congregation’s voice. Often the choir will introduce new songs, add descants and harmonies, sing portions of the liturgy, and assume the cantor’s role in responsive psalmody. In addition to Sunday morning worship services, the choir will participate in the “O Antiphon” service on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14. Melissa Janes will be conducting the choir this year. Plan to attend the Wednesday rehearsal prior to the service in which you intend to participate.
| Worship Service Dates: | Rehearsal Dates: |
| Sunday, September 7 | Wednesday, September 3, 6:30 – 8:00pm* Sunday, September 7, 9:00am |
| Sunday, October 26 | Wednesday, October 22, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Sunday, October 26, 9:00am |
| Sunday, December 14 6:00pm O Antiphon service | Wednesday, December 10, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Sunday, December 14, 4:30pm |
| Sunday, January 18 | Wednesday, January 14, 6:00 – 7:30 pm** Sunday, January 18, 9:00am |
| Sunday, March 8 | Wednesday, March 4, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Sunday, March 8, 9:00am |
| Sunday, April 5 Easter Sunday | Wednesday, April 1, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Sunday, April 5, 9:00am |
| Sunday, May 17 | Wednesday, May 13, 6:00 – 7:30 pm** Sunday, May 17, 9:00am |
*Choir will meet for dinner at 6:00pm.
**Choir will meet for dinner at 5:15pm.
Other Wednesdays, church dinner is provided from 5:15-6:00pm
NOTE the time change for Wednesday evening programming, starting in October!!
Joyful Noise Orchestra
The Joyful Noise Orchestra (JNO) is for anyone who plays a band or orchestra instrument. This is a wonderful way for newer musicians to get their feet wet in participating in the music of our worship services. All ages and abilities are welcome to come together to make a joyful noise before our Lord! JNO will be led by Maria Stapert. Attendance at the Wednesday rehearsals is strongly encouraged for everyone, especially for newer musicians.
| Worship Service Dates: | Rehearsal Dates: |
| Sunday, October 19 | Wednesday, October 15, 6:00pm Sunday, October 15, 9:00am |
| Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day | Wednesday, November 19, 6:00pm Thursday, November 27, 9:00am |
| Sunday, January 25 | Wednesday, January 21, 6:00pm* Sunday, January 25, 9:00am |
| Sunday, April 26 | Wednesday, April 22, 6:00pm* Sunday, April 26, 9:00am |
*No Wednesday night church dinner or programming
NOTE the time change for Wednesday evening programming!!
Guitarchestra
Guitarchestra began as an ensemble for guitarists of varying abilities to gain experience in leading our congregational song. It has since grown to include many other folk instruments! If you play mandolin, banjo, fiddle, accordion, hand percussion or another folk instrument, you are welcome to join the ensemble. Ron Rienstra will lead the Guitarchestra. Music will be ready a week in advance so you can practice on your own before the 9:00am rehearsal on Sunday morning. Those rehearsals move quickly through a lot of music. So advanced preparation is important.
| Worship Service Dates (Rehearsals at 9:00am) |
| Sunday, October 5 |
| Sunday, November 23 |
| Sunday, December 14 |
| Sunday, February 8 |
| Sunday, March 22 |
| Sunday, May 10 |
Wednesday Evening Jam Sessions
Once a month, all are welcome to join the just-for-fun Jam Sessions – guitarists (or guitar-hopeful-ists), ukulele-ists, tambourine-ists, singers, fiddlers, other instrumentalists. We will play/sing folk music (mostly not church music). Chords and lyrics will be provided, but not notated melodies. There is no age or ability requirements. Come as you wish. Newer musicians are welcome to bring their instruments, do some listening, and attempt to play along as they can. This can be a good place to work on your musical chops before jumping into playing with Guitarchestra. We hope this can be a fun time enjoying music together and giving people an opportunity to play in a group in a no-pressure environment.
| Wednesday Jam Session Dates (6:00 – 7:30pm) |
| Wednesday, September 10* |
| Wednesday, October 1 |
| Wednesday, November 5 |
| Wednesday, December 17 |
| Wednesday, January 28* |
| Wednesday, February 11 |
| Wednesday, March 11 |
| Wednesday, April 15 |
| Wednesday, May 6* |
*No Wednesday night church dinner or programming
NOTE the time change for Wednesday evening programming!!