Music Ministry
Musicians & Choirs
Music is Part of Our Identity
“The one who sings…prays twice.” From classical and traditional to gospel or more informal contemporary, even to global or experimental, the integrated music at Parkway UCC offers a variety of worship music and concert experiences.
Barry Luedloff serves as Music Director and Organist at Parkway. He believes everyone should be allowed an opportunity to use their musical gifts in a safe, relaxing, and FUN environment while offering our best in worship.
We enjoy hearing our established choirs and individual musicians in our congregation, developing new groups and experiences, and bringing in other musicians to provide special music and worship experiences. Join us and engage in listening, singing, or playing music that inspires, comforts and energizes your faith and spirit, and helps us all to make that Joyful Noise at Parkway!
Adult Sanctuary Choir
High School and Older
Parkway’s adult choir, directed by Barry Leudloff, provides musical leadership for the Worship Service. The choir season runs from September to June, and our rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm. On Sunday mornings, the choir meets at 9:00 to warm up before the worship service.
We sing music drawn from a variety of sources—classical, sacred, spirituals, gospel and folk music, as well as Taizé, chant, newer contemporary and original arrangements.
We invite anyone who enjoys singing to join us, no matter how much experience you have. Childcare is provided during both the Wednesday evening and Sunday morning rehearsals.
First Sunday Choir
Intergenerational
This “one-and-done” choir is the easiest choir you’ve ever joined. Open to both adults and children, the First Sunday Choir meets in the Choir Loft at 9:00am on the first Sunday of each month to learn a single, accessible choir piece, which is performed at the 10:00am service the same day. No experience necessary, and you don’t have to be able to read music. Come join the fun of First Sunday Choir!
Children's Choir
The Children’s Choir happens on the third Sunday of each month during the 10:00am worship service. All children in the congregation are invited to come forward to sit with Barry (Music) and Barb (Christian Ed) to quickly learn and offer a fun song related to the theme of the day or current liturgical season. Children will use their voices, basic movements, and even some rhythm instruments. No extra rehearsal is required.
Voices of Grace
5th Grade through High School
Parkway’s Voices of Grace (VoG) offer their song several times throughout the school season (summer’s off). This exciting choir rehearses on the second and fourth Sundays, immediately following the 10:00am service.
Schedule
Several of you have inquired about the regular Monthly Musicians' Schedule. The following is our planned (general) monthly musicians' schedule. Music Director Barry welcomes any and all questions, comments, suggestions and ideas!
1st Sunday
Service: 1st Sunday Choir, plus Voices of Grace or Youth Hand Chime Ensemble
11:15am Rehearsal: Voices of Grace
2nd Sunday
Service: Sanctuary Choir
11:15am Rehearsal: Youth Hand Chime Ensemble
3rd Sunday
Service: Children / JOYFUL NOISE! Kinder-Chimes
11:15am Rehearsal: Voices of Grace
4th Sunday
Service: Sanctuary Choir
11:15am Rehearsal: Youth Hand Chime Ensemble
5th Sunday
Service: Guest Musician(s)
NO REHEARSAL AFTER SERVICE
Concerts, Recitals, and Performances
Parkway UCC hosts a number of outside concerts and performances throughout the year. We’re home to the St. Louis Children’s Choir. Recently, we’ve expanded into dramatic presentations as well. Our facilities offer a wonderful and unique setting, perfect for both larger and more intimate concerts, recitals and performance. If you or your group is looking for a great acoustic space, Parkway welcomes you!
Instruments
Organs: Parkway maintains two beautiful pipe organs; one in our main worship location, and another in our Historic Church building across the street. In the Sanctuary of our main building, we have a wonderful 2-manual Quimby pipe organ, and in the Historic Sanctuary, we are blessed to maintain and use, a 1918 Kilgen and Sons Tracker Pipe Organ.
May 19: A presentation on The Magic and Mystery of the Great Parkway Organs »
Pianos: Parkway utilizes several pianos in the main facility, and features a fine and well-maintained Boston Grand piano in the main Sanctuary, for both worship and professional concert presentations.
Hand Chime Ensemble
Intergenerational
The Intergenerational Hand Chime Ensemble rings on the third Sunday of each month during the 10:00am worship service. Absolutely no experience or ability to read music is required. All ages are welcome to this fun music experience.