Chapel Choir

Chapel ChoirThe Chapel Choir has a rich history at First United Methodist Church. Since 1960, this choir led Sunday worship at the 9:30 service during the school year. They now collaborate with other choirs during the 10:00 a.m. service. The Chapel Choir is open to all high school youth regardless of musical abilities or background. You can start at any time throughout the year! 

For the past 48 years, the choir has participated on a week-long Spring Break musical trip spreading God’s message in words and song to congregations throughout North America, including such places as New York City, Boston, Denver, St. Simon’s Island, Memphis, Pensacola, Nashville, Toronto, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Ft. Worth, New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Wilmington, and many communities in between. The 2020 tour was suspended due to the coronovirus pandemic and will likely not take place in 2022. 

Choir members practice Sunday morning after the 10:00 a.m. worship service in preparation for concerts. Members also give their time through fundraising and mission trip activities at church. The youth are actively involved at their schools in athletics, speech, band, choir, dance, and many clubs.

The Chapel Choir goals are to:

  • Share our faith in Jesus Christ through our music and our actions.
  • Learn to participate in the leading of a Worship Service.
  • Grow in our music skills through our rehearsal and performance schedule.
  • Develop new relationships within our own group
  • Learn to participate in and contribute to a large, diversified group.

The Chapel Choir typically rehearses on Sundays from 11:15 to 12:00 p.m.

Choir Director: 
Nick Loos, Director
Accompanist: 
Kevin Zehme
Rehearsal Time: 
Sundays, 11:30pm to 12:15pm
Rehearsal Room: 
Chapel Hall
Performance Dates: 
Sunday, September 26, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, October 3, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, October 10, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, October 17, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, October 24, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, October 31, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, November 7, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, November 14, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, November 21, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, November 21, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, November 28, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, December 5, 2021 - 10:00am
Sunday, January 9, 2022 - 10:00am
Sunday, January 16, 2022 - 10:00am
Sunday, January 23, 2022 - 10:00am
Rehearsal Schedule: 
Repeats every week every Sunday until Sun May 29 2022 except Sun Apr 17 2022.

News and Events

Youth Group on Instagram

Chapel Choir Tour BusYou can now follow the tour with photos on Instagram. We have our own page for the DGFUMC Youth Group.

Grant has already uploaded pictures from our first day in Carbondale and our second in Walls, Mississipi, taking in Graceland on the way.

Day 2 Choir Tour

At the end of Day 2, we recall a multitude of accomplishments that we did not foresee.   Our bus driver received the nickname, Mr. Wonderful, a few years ago from another choir ensemble.  They were traveling in the New England area during a series of winter snowstorms, Jeff made them a promise that they would not have to have to suffer walking through a storm while dressed in their long black gowns.  The week of storms took pause each time they gave their concerts.   Mr. Wonderful travels took us through 5 different states and some heavy rain storms.  Just as his name promised, the rains would stop for each of our travel and lunch breaks.

Day 1 Choir Tour

Kick off at DGFUMC with introduction of bus driver Jeff, goodbyes to family and blessing of the tour by Katie Kiss.  All the luggage, equipment and food were packed on the bus for departure at 6 AM.  We toured Southern Illinois University campus upon arrival in Carbondale.  Dinner was provided by members of the Carbondale United Methodist Church.  They served the world’s best smoked barbeque baked beans, pulled pork, salad and many fresh vegetables.  Red velvet cake and brownies were served to celebrate birthdays for Kelsey, Leah, Luke and Rebecca.  Then we left with our host families and had a great time. I know from my first experience that the families were fantastic.  I slept well and woke up to eggs and bacon.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  The church showed us great hospitality and we all are truly grateful to be a part of their service this morning.

Chapel Choir Tour Updates

Day 1 on the busThe 42nd Annual Chapel Choir Tour is on its way to New Orleans. The best way to keep updated with their progress is to "like" the DGFUMC Youth Facebook Page where their tweets and blogs will be cross-posted. Make sure to hover over the 'Liked' button and click 'Add to News Feed'" to make sure you see any new posts.

They have already reached their first stop in Carbondale, where they perform this evening.

Tour 2013 - Telling Our Story

A Journey to Grace

Saturday morning, March 23, parents, grandparents and friends will be sending a wonderful group of young people to the city of New Orleans.  These young men and women will share their voices and the word of God each day until they return on March 30.  We will communicate with you each day with short messages about the activities we have participated in during the day.  In the past, we found that the ability to post a blog entry each day may be technically challenged.  This year we are adding Facebook and Twitter to our communication tools.  I am not very savvy with these newer electronic forms of communication, so wish us luck.Grant Dunderman and Wes Davenport will be coordinating our communications with you during our tour.  We hope our stories entertain and inform as we travel across the country.  We will be transported into a new world as we enter the Bayou country of south Louisiana.

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