Music Ministry at Bethel
Bethel offers several choices to share your musical talents. Please scroll down to learn more!
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Bethel Chorale
The Bethel Chorale
Layton "Skip" James
The Bethel Chorale sings the finest of sacred choral literature from the 16th century to the present. It rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm between Labor Day and Memorial Day and leads worship services at 8:00am and 10:00am at Bethel Downtown. Each season the Chorale will sing at least one major work with instruments and soloists, and perform at a church other than Bethel. It is open to all adults without audition. During the Summer months, the Chorale singers perform as soloists and in small ensembles at worship, and there are also "Ladies' Choir" and a "Men's Choir" Sundays which are a great way to try out singing with the Chorale without committing to a full year. Layton James is the conductor. If you're interested in singing, contact the church, and he will call you.
We are always excited about new members. If you'd like to sing, come give us a try. In November, the Chorale will present Bach Cantata 100 "Was Gott tut ist wohlgetan" with orchestra and soloists at 10am worship. There will also be a Lessons & Carols service in Advent, with Christmas Bible readings, the Bethel Bell Ensemble, organ, carols and anthems. We sing at Bethel's traditional worship services, and often visit other churches to share our music. --Skip James, Organist and Choir Director
Layton James, known as Skip to friends and colleagues, has been Principal Keyboardist with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra since 1969. In that role, he has been featured often as a chamber musician and concerto soloist. Mr. James is also a conductor and composer. He directed the Holiday Concerts for the SPCO for nine years, and, in 2007, was commissioned to write a cantata celebrating the life of Patricia Whitaker, a beloved Board member. Other commissions include an arrangement of Bach's Solo Partita in B-flat for violin into a piece for string orchestra and violin soloist, and a setting of the Holy Communion liturgy for Bethel Lutheran Church, where Mr. James is Music Director. Another of his duties with the SPCO is to present the popular and well-attended pre-concert Fanfare lectures at four different venues. He has been a guest artist with the St. Louis Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Stuttgart Opera, The Lake Placid Sinfonietta, The National Lutheran Choir, Music in the Vineyards, The Village Bach Festival, and The White Pine Festival.
Mr. James is best known as an improvising continuo player at the harpsichord, organ and fortepiano. He has accompanied Pinchas Zukerman, Jean Pierre Rampal, Joshua Bell, Thomas Zehetmaier, Yo Yo Ma, Slava Rostropovich, among others, in addition to his fellow SPCO players, and is the featured harpsichordist on two recordings of Handel's 'Messiah' conducted by Robert Shaw. He also builds harpsichords. When not playing with the orchestra, Mr. James can often be found on a trout stream with a fly rod in hand. He is married to Linda James, and the James household would not be complete without mentioning Java, a super-dog.
INFORMATION: 715-386-8821
Click here to email the church office
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Rehearsals Begin September 7
The Bethel Chorale will begin its season by singing on Sunday, September 12. First rehearsal will take place in the choir loft Tuesday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m. All singers are welcome, no audition necessary. For further information, feel free to call Skip through the church office.
INFORMATION: 715-386-8821
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New Song Band
July 4, 2009 Hudson Parade
Bethel's New Song Band leads the Gathering Worship Service on Saturday evenings and the New Song Worship Service on Sunday mornings. Come to praise and worship with the sounds of contemporary Christian music!
This band rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. Occasionally they need substItute musicians, so if you would like to share your musical abilities by filling in for a band member, please see the contact information below. INFORMATION: 715-386-8821
Click here to email the New Song Band
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Vespers
DO YOU LIKE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC? DO YOU LIKE PRAISING GOD THROUGH SINGING?
Then you’ll want to worship at the VESPERS service! ALL AGES are welcome to this informal, inspirational, ecumenical service led by area young people. Summer worship is from 8:00-9:00pm at Bethel Highlands. Simple Seed, a local college band with some Bethel members, will hold their service on Wednesday, August 11th at 9:00 p.m. at Highlands. Come and hear songs to be sung at the Higher Ground Music Festival! Check the Bethel Weekly News or the Welcome Centers and kiosks in the lobby for schedule changes.
See how over a hundred of people of all ages each week are worshipping! If you would like to be included in this ministry as a possible reader, speaker, or by sharing your musical abilities, please contact the church, and a band member will call you!
Vespers rehearses on Sundays at 2:00pm at Bethel Highlands during the school year.
INFORMATION: 715-386-8821
Click here to email the church
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Bethel Bell Ensemble
The Bethel Bell Ensemble rehearses on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm at Bethel Downtown, from September through mid-May. Rehearsals will begin again on Wednesday, September 8th. The choir plays Malmark Handbells and is led by Lonna Possehl. Please contact Lonna at the link below if you're interested in joining!
If you would like to substitute occasionally, please call Lonna through the church office at 715-386-8821 or email her at the link below. INFORMATION: 715-386-8821
Click here to email Lonna
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Children's Chime Choir
The Children's Chime Choir meets on Sundays at Bethel Highlands from 10:00-10:30am, directly after Sunday School, from September through mid-May. Rehearsals will begin again on Sunday, September 19th. The choir is open to children from 2nd through 5th grades and is led by Eric Possehl. No experience necessary--come and check it out!! Please contact Eric Possehl at the link below if you'd like to join.
INFORMATION: 715-441-1550
Click here to email Eric
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| Activities & Events |
Bethel Downtown
920 Third Street
Hudson, WI 54016
715-386-8821
(Adminstrative Office)
Bethel Highlands
504 Frontage Road
Hudson, WI 54016
715-381-8254
Directions
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ELCA NEWS
Click below for news and information from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including information on how you can help with the ELCA Disaster Response to the Pakistan Flood. To make an online donation for the Pakistan Relief Fund, also click below.
Pakistan Flood Relief Fund
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