CUMC offers a church home with groups, programs, and activities for children, youth, young adults, and adults.
Visit us to see how much we have to offer and find your own place of belonging in our community.
Music and CUMC
Music, Music, Music!
Music brings us joy, it brings us peace, it brings us hope, and it brings us laughter. What a better way to express ourselves to God than through the vibrations of voice and instruments. We have a wonderful opportunity at CUMC to do just that, so think about joining the Chancel Choir, Handbell Ensemble, or the Orchestra! You need not be a member of CUMC to play in any of our musical groups.
Please consider joining the choir as another way to contribute to worship at CUMC. Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome to join us. Our choir is a diverse group, ranging from those who don’t read music to those who sing and play an instrument. If you haven’t already guessed, we also enjoy a good laugh!
Rehearsals are held in the sanctuary on Mondays from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. If you are unable to commit for the entire year, consider joining for either the fall or spring only, or perhaps you could serve as a substitute when we are short-handed.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is the foundation of the music ministry at CUMC. This group of about 25 singers sings weekly at the 10:00 worship service on Sunday mornings and also reaches out to various community groups and activities to share both sacred and secular music. The choir has participated in several music festivals and special community-wide worship events, performed in many concerts, sponsors special musical activities at the church and has been on four tours, including a performance at Carnegie Hall.
They perform with the CUMC Community Orchestra for special events such as the Christmas Carol Sing in December and the Spring Concert in early June. Occasionally, the choir has special working retreats for Christmas and Easter season’s music, a weekend retreat (nonworking) in the summer and extra rehearsals as needed for special events or performances.
Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome to join this active and vital group to share in music, excitement and fun.
The Chancel Choir meets in Sherrill Hall at 7:00 pm on Mondays. All are welcome at our rehearsals!
Community Orchestra
Led by Judy Burmeister, The CUMC Community Orchestra is a group of musicians interested in performing orchestral music. Participants in this orchestra are often outside the membership of CUMC; however, they are a major, contributing factor to the annual Carol Sing, the Spring Sing Concert and sometimes also play for Easter services.
They rehearse on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month from 1:30-3:00 pm September through June. The orchestra is open to anyone with orchestral skills. Orchestra members range in age from high school to retired senior citizens. Several members of the orchestra found themselves digging their instruments out of the closet after many years of disuse. They found, to their pleasant surprise, that it’s just like riding a bike … you never forget.
The CUMC Community Orchestra is believed to be unique in Contra Costa County. Music selection is always easy to moderate to accommodate the skill range of the members. No fees are required to join this group of musicians as the orchestra is fully funded by CUMC. They currently have two scheduled performances during the year (Carol Sing & Spring Concert) which may include performing with the Chancel Choir – always to a very full and appreciative audience. It’s fun! It’s easy! Come join us soon!
The Community Orchestra meets at 1:30 pm. on the 2nd and 4th Sundays in OC Hall.