Music Ministry

Music plays an important part in the life of the church and its people.  At the age of 5 children become members of a singing choir, the Happy Songsters. Beginning in the third grade childre become part of Midweek Music Makers, which includes singing and ringing, first playing handchimes and then graduating into the handbell program. The music program also includes choirs for teens and adults, all under the outstanding leadership of organist and director Dr. Gretchen Franz, a graduate of Penn State University, the School of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary, NYC, and West Virginia University.

Vocal and Combined Choirs

Happy Songsters

This group is for children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. The group rehearses on Terrific Tuesdays.

Chancel Choir

This is our adult vocal choir. The group rehearses on Thursdays each week from  7:30 – 9:00 p.m. and sings for the 10:45 a.m. service. Additionally, the Chancel Choir presents concerts in December, during Lent, and in late spring each year.

Handbell Choirs

MLUMC has a wonderful handbell program led by Nancy Lutz, Director of Handbells since 1995.  Mrs. Lutz has studied handbells extensively at events sponsored by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR), at the Westminster Choir College and at Duquesne University.  She has been active leader nationally in AGEHR since 1999 and currently serves on the National AGEHR Board of Directors.

The beginning chime choir and the elementary handbell choir meet on Terrific Tuesdays.

Glory Bells

This is the teen handbell team. It meets on Wednesdays from 7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and participates in worship, concerts in December and in the spring, and attends handbell festivals held at college campuses every two years.

Promise Bells

This beginning to intermediate handbell team rehearses on Thursdays from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The group plays regularly in worship, participates in concerts at the church in December and in the spring, and attends a day-long festival each spring

Chapel Bells

Our most advanced adult handbell team, Chapel Bells rehearses on Mondays from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. The group participates regularly in worship, church concerts and festivals. The Chapel Bells have been featured guest artists at concerts in the Pittsburgh area.