Music Ministries

Come   let   us   sing   for   joy…

 

“Come let us sing for joy to the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1-3

The   music   ministry   of   Croydon   SDA   Church   is   lead   by   Doriel   Benjamin   and   consists   of   four   choirs,   an   orchestra   and   a   Praise   and    Worship   Team.     Our   choirs   are   open   to   anyone   with   some   musical   ability   who   would   like   to   make   a   joyful   noise   unto   the   Lord.     There    are   also   opportuniDes   for   smaller   groups   of   talented   singers/musicians   to   perform   specials   and   lead   the   church   in   song   each   Sabbath.      If   you’re   interesDng   in   performing   special   music   please   contact   the   Music   Ministries   department   to   be   scheduled. Music   ministry   is   an   integral   part   of   Croydon   SDA   Church   and   over   the   years   we   have   become   widely   known   as   a   musical   church   that    boasts   four   choirs   and   an   orchestra,   as   well   as   several   groups   and   soloist.   The   purpose   of   the   music   ministry   is   to   give   praise   and   glory    to   God.     Music   is   an   important   tool   other   than   the   spoken   word   in   bringing   people   closer   and   helping   those   that   are   seeking   to   know    the   Lord.   The   Music   Ministries   department   believe   in   not   only   serving   our   church,   but   also   our   community.     Look   out   for   our   FesDval   of    Sound   concerts   which   are   held   during   the   summer   months.

 

Choirs for All Ages

 

[TOGGLE]   Church   Choir

We   encourage   our   members,   most   of   whom   are   seniors,   to   express   themselves   and   praise   God   through   the   learning   and   singing   of   good old   favorite   hymns   and   spirituals.     We   believe   that   the   hymns   of   years   gone   by   should   not   be   lost,   and   we   enjoy   reviving   some   of   the   most    cherished   and   favorite   selecDons.   In   doing   so,   we   are   offering   praise   and   liSing   the   name   of   Jesus.     AddiDonally,   our   coming    together   provides   a   strengthening   fellowship   among   the   members,   who   are   from   varied   backgrounds.   Most   people   have   a   song   in   their    heart   and   the   desire   to   express   it.     Croydon   SDA’s   Church   Choir   strives   to   unleash   the   musical   potenDal   of   each   member.   New   members    are   always   welcome.

 

[TOGGLE]   Gospel   Choir

The   Croydon   SDA   Gospel   Choir   has   enjoyed   many   years   of   delivering   soul-­‐sDrring   music   on   television,radio,recordings,   and   live    performances   in   a   wide   variety   of   venues. The   world   has   many   gospel   choirs   doing   wonderful   things,   bringing   joy   into   the   lives   of   millions.   The   Croydon   SDA   Gospel   Choir   has   not    been   content   to   just   be   another   gospel   choir:   as   it   sees   its   mission   to   reach   out   to   as   many   people   groups   as   possible,   it   has   disDnguished    itself   by   being   probably   the   most   diverse   gospel   choir   in   the   world.   Much   of   its   repertoire   is   wriXen   by   its   director,   Ken   Burton,   who   is   a    public   figure   in   the   choral   world   as   a   performer,   conductor,   and   performer.   This   means   that   repertoire   is   tailor-­‐made   to   the   choir’s   sound    and   composiDon. As   well   as   being   diverse   and   original,   the   choir   has   also   been   known   for   its   ability   to   be   proacDve,   which   has   led   to   its   se[ng   up   its   own    independent   record   label,   CGC   Music,   which   has   produced   its   catalogue   of   CD   recordings   which   have   changed   lives,   and   been   a   source   of    comfort   and   blessing   to   listeners   around   the   world. In   addiDon   to   its   own   producDons,   the   choir   had   an   album   release   through   MCI   Records   (Music   CollecDon   InternaDonal),   produced   by   Guy    Fletcher,   songwriter   for   such   luminaries   as   Elvis   Presley   and   Cliff   Richard.   This   internaDonal   release   had   a   number   of   its   songs   featured   on    the   BBC1   television   drama   serial   ‘Paradise   Heights’. The   choir   has   appeared   on   a   large   number   of   television   programmes;   one   of   its   significant   appearances   was   on   the   BBC   soap   opera    ‘EastEnders’;   in   2002,   the   choir   was   actually   part   of   a   storyline   (though   obviously   not   named   in   the   script),   which   concluded   with   the   choir    appearing   on   the   Christmas   programme,   watched   by   22   million   people,   singing   its   own   repertoire. This   resulted   in   the   choir   also   being   featured   on   the   Eastenders   web-­‐site.   Some   of   the   scenes   involving   the   choir   singing   in   the    background   have   oSen   appeared   Dme   and   Dme   again   in   TV   award   ceremonies.   The   storyline   of   the   choir   and   the   wedding   it   sang   at   did    not   end   in   2002,   as   the   ‘choir’   was   brought   up   again   in   conversaDon   and   was   invited   to   be   a   surprise   at   another   Eastenders   Wedding   in    2004. Recent Posts The   Choir   was   also   part   of   the   historical   live   BBC   television   opera   :   Flashmob:   The   Opera,   which   was   broadcast   live   from   London’s    Paddington   staDon.   The   choir   has   made   regular   appearances   on   BBC’s   flagship   programme   “Songs   Of   Praise”,   and   has   performed   on    several   occasions   for   the   BriDsh   monarchy,   including   two   royal   gala   performances.   HRH   Prince   Charles   personally   wrote   the   choir   to   say    he   much   he   enjoyed   the   choir’s   recording. The   choir   sees   its   mission   as   being   completely   uncompromising   in   its   expression   of   its   faith.     For   more   informaDon   about   Croydon   SDA    Gospel   Choir   visit   their   website   at:   http://croydonsdagospelchoir.t83.net/#

 

[TOGGLE]   Youth   Choir    Let   everything   that   hath   breath   praise   the   Lord.   Praise   ye   the   Lord   (Psalms   150:6). We   aim   to   lead   young   people   to   understand   their   individual   worth   and   discover   and   develop   their   spiritual   giSs   and   abiliDes.   This   involves    equipping   and   empowering   young   people   for   a   life   of   service   in   the   community   and   in   God’s   church. Within   the   framework   of   music   ministry   we   aim   to:

1.   Provide   opportuniDes   for   young   people   to   build   on   their   relaDonship   with   Jesus   Christ

2.   Teach   pracDcal   ChrisDanity   –   demonstrate   the   value   of   a   commiXed   prayer   life,   devoDon   Dme,   acDve   witnessing,   etc.

3.   Encourage   young   people   to   take   an   acDve   part   in   their   own   development   (sDmulate   young   people   holisDcally   –   spiritually,   mentally   and    physically).

4.   Develop   commiXed/reliable,   confident,   inspiring   and   aspiring   young   people

 

Our   Impact

“Let   no   one   despise   your   youth,   but   be   an   example   to   the   believers   in   word,   in   conduct,   in   love,   in   spirit,   in   faith,   in   purity   (1   Timothy    4:12).”

Fact:   Our   young   people   have   energy,   ideas,   creaDvity,   and   passion.   It   must   be   the   priority   of   the   Croydon   SDA   to   empower   this   generaDon    to   use   their   giSs   for   the   benefit   of   people   and   the   purposes   of   God.   Participating   in   the   Teens   &   Youth   Choir   is   one   way   we   can   achieve    this.

“Singing   is   something   I   really   enjoy   and   so   being   in   the   choir   allows   me   to   use   it   as   a   form   of   outreach   to   tell   of   God’s   Love   to   others   but    most   importantly   to   praise   and   worship   our   Father.”   SH Recent Posts

“I   think   it’s   a   good   way   to   fellowship   -­‐   enjoy   a   kind   of   inDmacy   with   God   and   with   fellow   Christians.   Fellowship   goes   beyond   friendship.    When   we   sing   it   definitely   feels   like   we’re   all   part   of   one   cohesive   family.   It’s   also   a   way   of   being   acDve   in   Church   (body   of   Christ)   because    I’m   shy   and   not   keen   on   doing   things   by   myself.”   ARW

“This   is   a   way   that   is   comfortable   for   me   communicaDng   with   God   ‘cause   other   ways   just   don’t   work.   God   gave   me   a   voice   so   I   use   it   to    witness   for   him.   Choir   is   when   I   get   to   come   around   with   ‘family’   to   praise   God   and   hang   out   with   friends.   Every   song   has   an   effect   on   my    life   –   they   are   inspiraDonal   (alot   of   the   time   I   can   feel   down)   and   this   is   one   of   the   main   reasons   I   still   come   to   Church.   Through   the   songs,    God   gives   me   the   strength   to   get   through   the   week.   The   leaders   are   there   for   you   no   master   what.”  PP

 

What   our   listeners   say:

“Their   singing   is   infecDous.” “The   Choir   enjoy   singing   and   this   transmits   to   everyone   who   hears   them.” “The   commitment   of   the   young   voices   of   the   Youth   Choir   shows   that   ChrisDan   music   is   not   only   alive   and   well,   but   flourishing!” “Continue   reaching   people   with   the   Good   News   of   Jesus   Christ   –   keep   up   the   good   work.”

Rehearsals

Rehearsal   are   usually   held   on   the   first,   second   and   fourth   Friday   of   every   month   between   7:00pm   and   9:00pm.     There’s   always   a   buzz   of    activity   as   we   parDcipate   in   vocal   warm-­‐ups,   sing-­‐alongs,   rehearse   performances,   share   experiences,   encourage   one   another,   and   have    Bible   discussions.

How   to   join   the   Youth   Choir

If   you   are   interested   in   joining   the   Youth   Choir,   come   along   to   a   few   of   the   rehearsals.   This   allows   you   to   gain   an   understanding   of   how   it    works   and   what   to   expect,   who   the   members   are   and   talk   to   the   leaders.     The   most   important   thing   we   are   looking   for   is   potential   –   don’t    be   put   off   if   you   haven’t   done   much   singing   before.   ASer   you   have   decided,   you’ll   either   have   a   one-­‐to-­‐one   or   two   leader   vocal    assessment.      The   Youth   Choir   is   always   on   the   lookout   for   new   members.   So   if   you   would   like   to   know   more   email   us   at:   music@croydonadventist.org.      We   would   be   pleased   to   hear   from   you.

 

[TOGGLE]   Children’s   Choir

Our   aim   is   to   create   an   environment   of   respect   within   which   Croydon   SDA   Children’s   Choir   can   learn   music   in   a   quiet   and   orderly   fashion   -­‐    yet   with   a   sense   of   fun   and   enjoyment.   Not   an   easy   combinaDon!   But   this   ideal   is   always   must   kept   firmly   in   mind.   The   Croydon   SDA    Children’s   Choir   (CCC)   is   for   children   who   love   to   sing   and   want   learn   more   about   God’s   love   through   ChrisDan   lyrics   and   the   sharing   of    musical   experiences.     CCC   is   for   children   aged   5   to   12   years   old.

 

Rehearsals

CCC’s   rehearsals   are   every   other   Sabbath   at   5:30pm   to   6:15pm.   An   extra   pracDce   may   be   needed   whenever   the   choir   has   to   sing   for   a    occasion   e.g.   Divine   Service,   a   concert   etc.

 

What   do   the   children   do   during   choir   rehearsal?

The   Directors   not   only   teach   them   songs,   they   also   work   on   vocal   technique   and   stance,   sign   language   and   choreography,   as   well   as   the    message   of   the   songs   and   why   we   sing   them.

 

When   and   where   does   my   child’s   choir   sing?

The   choir   leader   will   send   an   agenda/schedule   to   you   via   email   or   notes   sent   home.   You   can   also   view   the   performance   schedule   on   this    page   as   it   becomes   available.

 

Attendance

A   strict   register   of   membership   and   attendance   is   maintained   to   keep   us   informed   about   the   attendance   and   commitment   of   our    choristers.

 

Have Questions about Music Ministries

If you have questions about any of the above please contact the Music Ministries department at: music@croydonadventist.org.