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Music at CGSMusic is an integral part of the worship experience, and we are pleased to have a talented and dedicated group of musicians to lift our spirits as we share praise and build community. Our CGS band is led by Church Musician, Daniel Thomas, and consists of staff percussionist Ronny Johnston and several members of our congregation who volunteer their time and talents to create a full and unique sound.
While a fair amount of our music is rooted in “traditional” Lutheran sources (such as the Lutheran Book of Worship, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, or With One Voice), we know that people come to CGS from a variety of backgrounds, both in their ethnic or ancestral heritage and in their faith and style of worship. It is our mission to honor that cornucopia in our musical selections; so, we might hear music from 19th century Germany, 20th century Africa, and 21st century America in the same service. Each year nearly 300 different pieces are performed, covering six continents and five hundred years, including original music written for our CGS family. In addition to our weekly liturgical music, hymns, and songs, our musicians are called to provide occasional special music for offertory, communion, and for festival days, so if you wish to share your gifts with us but cannot commit to a weekly schedule, we still have a way for you to be involved! We have begun to incorporate handbells into our musical offerings as well, which can be learned even by people without much musical training. We welcome all of those who want an opportunity to experience and share the transformative power of music in worship, and encourage you to reach out to us and find out more. 
CGS Band
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Choir at CGS
Keynote Vocal Group
 CGS Mixed Choir
There are two choirs in the CGS community. KEYNOTE VOCAL GROUP The Keynote Vocal Group is an all-male singing ensemble with a special passion for acapella music, but also enjoys blending voices accompanied with the piano and other instruments. Our group currently comprises of 12 active members of the CGS congregation who sing every third Sunday of the month in worship, but is also occasionally joined by friends and guest singers when singing in special church, community, and regional events. Although some of our members have been singing together in different choirs before Keynote Vocal Group was formed, the group was officially established in early 2011 as an official choir under the Worship and Music Ministry of CGS. Part of our mission and ministry is to reach out and promote unity and spread God’s healing love through music, especially within the LGBTQ community. As an auditioned group, we continuously strive to better our sound and musicality with continuous and more committed learning, to present the best musical offering and to inspire and uplift the spirits of people we reach with our music. We’re constantly looking for new members to share our passion for choral singing. We rehearse every other Monday, from 7 – 9 PM, except in the months of June, July, and August, when we have our Summer break. CGS MIXED CHOIR The CGS Mixed Choir comprises of mixed voices from our congregation, and is open to everyone who loves to sing and be a part of the CGS choral ministry. We have a good mixture of seasoned singers who’ve been involved in the choir for several years, and those who are just discovering or renewing their passion for singing. Even with the consistent drive to learn our music the best way we can and give the best musical offering in our worship, our rehearsals have a more relaxed and easy atmosphere, which happens every Thursday at 7:00 PM in the Fireside Room. The choir sings every Sunday in the worship service, except on third Sundays of the month when our all-male group lends their voices for the musical offering. Our music selection ranges from early classical music and hymns, to Gospel, and songs by more recent and contemporary composers. We encourage everyone to join and be a part of the CGS choral ministry. Our Choir Director Rey says: There’s something about creating musical sound and harmony with human voices that I find beautiful and fascinating, that often takes me to a place where my emotions are moved – be it joy, excitement, or sadness. I can’t tell the number of times when, while singing in a group or directing a performance, I had to hold back tears. It’s the magic of different individuals sharing their voices and bringing them together to create a beautiful sound that affects me in a more profound way. I get to sing my faith, and love for God, and it helps me even more in enjoying my spiritual journey and personal relationship with our Creator. It’s this special joy and connection that I try to impart every time the choir sings, and it’s a wonderful blessing to have the opportunity do it within our CGS family. It’s my hope and prayer that music will continue to help us through our walk and growth in faith, and bring joy in times of celebration or comfort during challenges. So, if you enjoy singing and would like to try something different, join the choir. It might take you to a different and beautiful journey in your faith that you haven’t experienced before. |
