Music

At Union Baptist Church there are four choirs. New members are always welcome! There are two vocal choirs and two handbell choirs. We encourage those willing to share their musical talents as “special music” during our weekly services as well.

About our choirs:

THE CHANCEL CHOIR is made up of adults and youth. The choir sings weekly during the school year. We sing music from a wide range of styles. Periodically we prepare one larger work to perform for the community. Rehearsals are on Thursday nights from 7:30-9 pm in the Fellowship Hall. New members are always welcome!

THE REJOICE SINGERS is a group of children grades 2-5. They rehearse on Tuesdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. The Rejoice Singers prepare music for large holidays as well as regular worship.From time to time this group presents a musical. In the recent past they have performed Godspell Jr., The Tale of Three Trees and Camel Lot and Makin’ Room. Christian Education related to service format and scriptures that we sing take place on a weekly basis. In 2011-2012 our children will sing as often as possible on Sunday mornings. Robin carefully fosters proper singing techniques for the children. Our group is small so we would love to have new members.

The Mystic Area Ecumenical Choir Festival is a special event that takes place here in the local area every year where many of our local churches come together for a combined concert. Well-known directors are brought in from outside of our area to direct the festival. This event is a special treat for those who make a commitment to their home church choirs. Recent directors have been Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Tom Kendzia, Michael Hawn and Walter Edmonds. In the past we have invited Helen Kemp, Philip Dietterich, Roberta Bitgood, Hal Hopson, and Michael Kemp to mention only a few! For 2012 we welcome Sally Albrecht as our director. She is the director of School and Choral publishing for Alfred Music Publishing. We look forward to her arrival for our Festival this in April.

ABOUT OUR HANDBELLS: Union Baptist Church is fortunate to have four octaves of Whitechapel handbells, made at the Whitechapel Foundry in London, England. We also have three octaves of Malmark handchimes to compliment the handbells.

THE PRAISE BELL CHOIR is our beginning bell choir. It is the choir where new ringers usually begin. It is a multi-aged group of youth (3rd grade and above) and adults. Everyone is welcome in Praise Bells, as long as we have bell positions open! The choir plays in worship services during Advent, Christmas as well as Palm Sunday or Easter, and at other times during the year when music is ready for performance. This choir rehearses from September until Easter. The Praise Bell Choir rehearses on Mondays from 6:00-7:15 p.m. NEW MEMBERS NEEDED NOW!

CONCERT BELL CHOIR is our more advanced choir. Members of this choir need to be able to read music. Previous bell experience is not necessary. Members of the Concert Bell Choir often attend handbell workshops. The Concert Bell Choir plays for Christmas and Easter, as well as other times during the year. On occasion we play at the Mystic Congregate, and at other local venues. The Concert Bell Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 5:45 – 7:15 p.m. New members should contact Robin before attending their first rehearsal. THERE IS ONE OPENING NOW. (small bells)

UBC BELL ENSEMBLES: Periodically small groups of Intermediate or advanced ringers prepare bell ensemble music to share in worship services.  Bell ensemble ringing is very challenging. The small groups of ringers play music that requires as many as 3 or 4 octaves of  bells! If you are interested in ringing with a bell ensemble please contact Robin.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US! If you have questions about our Music Program please contact Robin M. Crandall by calling the church office at 860-536-9659 or at rmc.ubc.mystic@snet.net .

About our Director:

Robin M. Crandall has been involved in church music direction since the 1970’s. She holds a BM and an MM in vocal music, with a minor in piano from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, and has since completed certification programs to teach public school music as well as K-8 regular education in the public schools in CT. She has recently retired from teaching elementary music and integrated arts in the Groton Public School system.  Robin is a member of Chorister’s Guild, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and Delta Omicron. Robin has been playing and/or directing handbells since the late 1960’s.  Robin also has background in theatre as well as harpsichord building and decoration! She also is the founder and director of The Seraphim Consort, a recorder Group made up of both children and adults. She truly enjoys working with her choirs, and focuses on making rehearsals challenging and fun.

About our Organist:

John Dreslin has been our organist since 1992. He is a dentist by profession but a pianist and theatrical music director as well. John grew up in New York City where he took seven years of piano instruction. He learned everything else “on the job.” John is active in many professional organizations, both in Dentistry and in Music. He is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, American Guild of Organists, Goodspeed Opera House Foundation, East Lyme Arts Council, and the Thames Valley School of Music Board of Trustees. He is the Music Director of the Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society as well as for the East Lyme Arts Council, and has won nine Eugene O’Neill Awards for Musical Direction. John will celebrate 20 years as our organist in October of 2011.