Music at Covenant
Covenant takes pride in the quality and range of music we offer. In traditional services we sing hymns. Choral music ranges from the Renaissance period to the present. Special celebratory services happen on special days throughout the year, including Jazz Sunday, Gospel Sunday, World Communion and Reformation Sunday. Adult Choirs and an Orchestra present major choral works in stunning seasonal concerts during Advent and Holy Week. A Praise Band supports Covenant’s Contemporary Service.
Choirs and Ensembles
Choral ensembles include choirs for adults, youth and children. Opportunities for instrumentalists include handbell choirs, taizé ensemble, brass choir and wind ensemble, plus a contemporary worship band.
Children's Choirs
Covenant offers five children’s choirs for ages 4 years through 6th grade. Children’s choirs give children a unique way to serve the church and enable them to experience worship through praise, prayer and Biblical stories. Children receive a musical education and training for mind, body and spirit.
Choristers: 4th, 5th and 6th grades
Carolers: 2nd and 3rd grades
Sunshine Singers: 1st grade
Praisemakers: Kindergarten
Music Makers: 4-year-olds and Pre-Kindergarten
For more information about the children’s choirs, contact Stacy Curtis at 334-3033 or scurtis@covenant.org.
The Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir, directed by Tom Brown, presents music for the 9:30 a.m. service on alternating weeks, providing a great venue for singers wanting to sing on a less frequent basis. Rehearsals are lively, fun and engaging, and all are welcome, regardless of singing experience or music reading ability. No audition is required. Rehearsals are the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6:25–7:30 p.m. and on second and fourth Sundays, 8:15–9:30 a.m., immediately preceding the services for which they sing. For more information, contact Tom Brown at (512) 587-7943 or tbrown@covenant.org.
Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir, with approximately 55 singers, sings for the 11 a.m. Traditional Worship Service. Directed by Tom Brown, the choir presents major concerts with orchestra, as well as special musical services like World Communion Sunday (ethnic music), Jazz Sunday and Gospel Sunday. Major works of recent years include Handel’s "Messiah," Mozart’s "Coronation Mass," Vaughan Williams’ "Five Mystical Songs," Schubert’s "Mass in G," Poulenc’s "Gloria," Rutter’s "Magnificat and Requiem," and "Gospel Mass" by Robert Ray.
The Sanctuary Choir sings an artistic yet eclectic range of music from 16th century Latin motets to 21st century anthems, African-American spirituals, ethnic songs and gospel arrangements. Sanctuary Choir members develop deep friendships and a rich sense of community through rehearsals that are both productive and fun. The group delights in singing excellent music with an ambitious slate of yearly events. All singers are welcome, regardless of music reading ability. No audition is required, and rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 7:30–9:30 p.m., in the chapel (FE 100). For more information, contact Tom Brown at 512-587-7943 or tbrown@covenant.org.
The GraceNotes (Chamber Choir)
The GraceNotes Ensemble is a select auditioned chamber ensemble of experienced singers who delight in singing an adventurous range of sacred music from all styles and historical periods. This excellent group sings monthly in worship and presents two major concerts yearly plus several shorter programs for various groups. Rehearsals are Sunday nights from 7:30–9:30 p.m. For more information or an audition, contact Tom Brown, director at 512-587-7943 or tbrown@covenant.org.
Journey (Youth Choir)
Journey is a choir for youth from 7–12th grade. Not your average choir experience, Journey participates in worship monthly and in a number of special music presentations during the year, including an annual musical. For more information on Journey, contact Diane Baker at 512-334-3034 or dbaker@covenant.org.
The Pro Musica Choir
The Pro Musica Choir is an accomplished five-octave ensemble for ringers with a fair measure of handbell or musical experience. The Pro Musica Choir rings monthly in morning worship and rehearses on Sundays at 5 p.m. in SA 104. For more information, contact Linda Rutherford, director, at 970-7529 or lrutherford2@austin.rr.com.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is open to anyone of any age who plays a traditional band instrument. The group performs several times a year in morning services, rehearsing just prior to those occasions. No audition is required. For more information, contact Tom Brown at 512-587-7943 or tbrown@covenant.org.
Brass Ensemble
The Brass Ensemble is open to anyone of any age who plays a brass instrument. An informal audition is required. The group performs several times a year in morning services, and on Easter Sunday and rehearses just prior to those occasions. For more information, contact Bruce Pollock at 512-795-0431 or brpclan@netzero.net or Tom Brown at 512-587-7943 or tbrown@covenant.org.
Taizé Ensemble
Covenant’s two Taizé Ensembles are open to all ages who play strings, flute, oboe, clarinet and acoustic guitar. An informal audition is required. This ensemble plays for the monthly Service for Wholeness, and occasionally for the 9:30 service. Rehearsals are held just prior to the services for which they play. For more information, contact Tom Mitchell at 512-334-3047 or tmitchell@covenant.org or Tom Brown at 512-587-7943 or tbrown@covenant.org.
Worship Band (contemporary)
Covenant’s worship band is open to singers and instrumentalists who have moderate to extensive experience. For more information, contact Derek Nafe at 512-914-0539 or dereknafe@gmail.com.