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Within our Music Department we are committed to:
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Everyone is invited! The Music and Fine Arts Ministry looks forward to welcoming you in both worship and rehearsal this fall.
| Chime Choir |
(1st-3rd grades)
Led by: Peter Heckman
CHIME CHOIR is directed by Peter Heckman and provides our children with their beginning ringing experience. Thompson has a great bell ringing tradition and this choir is a foundation for the program. This choir rings when they are prepared, as well as at Christmas and Easter. Christian growth is experienced as they learn what it is like to be a part of a loving, caring, every member needed team. Commitment is developed. A great deal of personal growth is witnessed in this choir as self assurance, a sense of being needed, a sense of equal contribution, and responsibility for self is developed. Music theory is reinforced and the ability to recognize and understand special handbell terms and techniques are taught.
| Jesus' Joyful Choir |
(2nd - 6th grade)
Led by: Peter Heckman
JESUS' JOYFUL CHOIR is directed by Peter Heckman. This choir usually sings twice each month in addition to special holidays and combined anthems. A Christian musical is also a part of their yearly experience. Here we develop each choirster's commitment to church, develop leadership in worship, study and understand the Christian calendar year, and study the history of six hymns. A great amount of music theory is taught as this level.
| Credo Bells |
(4th Grade and up)
Led by: Barb Markey, Jaimie Gatto
CREDO BELL CHOIR is directed by Barb Markey and Jaimie Gatto. This choir is generally a two-three octave choir. We strive to become a team - strengthening individual skills for the betterment of the overall group. We ring in worship as often as possible, and visits to retirement centers and nursing homes are a part of our ministry. Christian growth continues as we increase our commitment to the choir ministry - both at TMPC, in our community, and in other church's services. In addition to advanced music theory, ear training and coordination development is refined.
| Cherub Choir |
4yrs-1st grade
Led by: Patty Gatto, Amy Repasy
CHERUB CHOIR, directed by Patty Gatto and Amy Repasy is the first musical experience for our children. This choir sings once a month and on special holidays and in combined anthems. The main purpose of this choir is to enjoy listening to, moving to, and creating music. We want our children to feel good about themselves through music. We encourage spiritual growth through the music we select. We also participate in community outreach through occasional visits to our shut-ins, nursing homes, and retirement villages. Through the use of their voices and various musical instruments, they learn the concepts of melody, rhythm, and harmony.
| Youth Choir |
Grades 7-12
Led by: Peter Heckman
YOUTH CHOIR is directed by Peter Heckman. Our youth should not stop using their musical gifts once they reach middle school! This choir seeks to work around the hectic schedules that our teens have and provide a Christian musical outlet. This group sings once every other month and rehearses for 45 minutes right after the second service on Sunday morning. Our youth will find many opportunities for solos or small ensemble singing in this choir. They will learn how important it is to participate in worship as leaders.
| With One Voice Choir |
Led by: Peter Heckman
With One Voice Choir is directed by Peter Heckman. This choir sings regularly at one worship service from September through May. Our goal is to help each member improve their voice and music reading ability. We work on correct vocal production, and provide opportunities for solo-duet-trio and quartet experiences from a variety of composers and styles of music. This choir develops a strong sense of Christian community, and our rehearsal time has become a treasured time of release from our individual hectic weekly pace.
| Adult Bells |
Led by: Peter Heckman
THE ADULT BELL CHOIR is directed by Peter Heckman. Ringing in worship monthly, as well as special holiday services, is this groups great joy! This choir travels to the Central New Jersey Bell Festival each spring to ring with many other choirs from the region. We strive to maintain our ringing at the highest level - "bronze" ringing.
| Drama |
5th Grade and up
Led by: Patty Gatto
TMPC's Drama Ministry is directed by Patty Gatto. This group uses games, improvisation and humor to teach stage and acting techniques. The members then use these skills to share God's message through skits, mime and dramatic presentations throughout the year. We provide programs for Worship, Christian Education and for special celebrations. The Drama Group is for anyone from 5th Grade up.
| Q: | Now that it’s Fall, I’m ready to claim my spot in the Thompson Music and Arts Program. What are my choices? |
| A: | There will be ten music and arts groups for you to participate in this fall: |
 Voice Choirs |
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Handbell Groups (Children progress by skill level rather than by age.) |
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Arts Programs |
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| Q: | Unbelievable. I didn’t realize how much was going on with the Music and Arts Program. How do they do it? |
| A: | Everyone works very hard to keep the program going, but we definitely need more help. |
| Q: | Can I volunteer to help? |
| A: | ABSOLUTELY! We’d love it! The more help the better! |
| Q: | What about me? Are there any jobs for someone who doesn’t want to actually sing, ring, dance or act? |
| A: | ABSOLUTELY! We could really use some choir angels to: |
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| Q: | How do I sign up? |
| A: | Come to any choir rehearsal or call the church office. |
| Q: | Is there any other way I can stay current on the activities and opportunities provided by the Music and Arts Department? |
| A: | Yes, look for announcements in bulletins, tidings and on the TMPC website. |
| Q: | Well, that sounds great. I’m ready to have some fun. When can I sign up? |
| A: | Yesterday, today, tomorrow, next week, next month. ANYTIME! Your help will be greatly appreciated! |
