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

Chapel Choir Start Up 2011

Our new Chapel Choir director, Chad Goetz, is ready to meet you! The church is ready to have the choir loft full again! Summer is over! Are you ready for Chapel Choir?

We are starting a little differently than we have in the past. There will be two rehearsals before the Kick-Off dinner and registration.

First Rehearsals

The first rehearsal is set for Wednesday, August 24 the second on August 31, both at 7:00 pm. All High School students are invited to come check us out.

Kick-Off Dinner and Registration

Our annual Kick-Off dinner and registration will be on Wednesday, September 7 at 6:00 pm.

Meet our new Chapel Choir Director

Chad GoetzWe are so very pleased and excited to announce the employment of our new Chapel Choir Director, Chad Goetz. He comes to us with amazing credentials and energy! Chad graduated from Millikin University in 2005 where he majored in Vocal Music Education and had the pleasure of singing in the internationally acclaimed Millikin University Choir. He hopes to complete his Masters Degree in Music Education from Vandercook College in July of 2012. Currently he is the Director of Choral Activities at Lockport Township High School where he has been employed since graduating. For the past 6 years he has worked diligently to grow the LTHS Choral Department in size and quality and now oversees a program of 14 ensembles and approximately 300 students. Along with being the Director of Choral Activities, Chad also teaches AP Music Theory, is Director of the school musical and is the Assistant Director of Lockport’s 4-time state qualifying Group Interpretation team.

His enthusiastic and energetic teaching style is a direct result of his love of music and passion for teaching. When not teaching or directing, Chad is an avid golfer and a wannabe chef. Welcome to our church family Chad!

Chapel Choir Accompanist

Pianist needed to company Chapel Choir (high school age youth) for Wednesday night practices, weekly Sunday church services , Christmas Concert, and spring week-long tour. (Nine-month appointment)

If you know of anyone who might be interested and has skills related to either of the following part-time positions, please contact the church office (630.968.7120) for more information or to provide a suggestion/name to contact.

Church staff position available

Chapel Choir Director

First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove is seeking a Youth Choir Director to organize and manage all aspects of its renowned Chapel Choir Program. The responsibilities include but are not limited to rehearsals, the Worship Service, Christmas Concert and the Spring Break Choir tour.  The successful candidate will have professional training in music/music education, experience in choral conducting and ideally experience in working with high school age youth.  An experienced team of Pastors, adult leaders and church staff will both interface with and support the Chapel Choir Director in his/her musical endeavors.  

Interested parties should send resumes to Ward Feste for consideration.

Comments

This position has been filled and is no longer available as of 8/1/11.

Hosts Needed for Visiting Choir

Revelation ChoirHome stays with host families have always been an important part of Chapel Choir tours. It has also allowed us to keep tour fees reasonable and for our youth to interact with members of other congregations. Now it's our turn. On Tuesday, June 14, our church will host the Revelation Choir from Custer Road UMC in Plano, TX. We need help with dinner preparation, housing and attendance for their concert. So far, only seven families have offered beds for the nights. Please contact Don Dunham (630-968-7120 x 210) if you are willing to assist or want more details.

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