Music Ministries Adult Choirs Chancel Choir The Chancel Choir leads the congregation in worship through music at the 11:00 a.m. service. Choir members range in age from teens to seniors, with talent levels from novice to persons with degrees in music. The major strength of this choir is each person’s love of music and the appreciation of a very broad range of musical styles–from Bach chorales to the music of today’s composers. The choir members and director welcome anyone who loves to sing and they invite you to join this fellowship of enthusiastic singers. The choir rehearses most Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p m..in the Chancel Choir room.  Paul Conway is the Chancel Choir director. The Grace and Peace Singers The Grace and Peace Singers provide the music for the informal Sunday morning service (9:00 a.m.) at Hillyer Memorial Christian Church. The music is more contemporary than traditional and piano is used for accompaniment. Members vary in age, but all are enthusiastic and dedicated. This is one of Hillyer's smaller choirs, so it provides opportunity for fellowship in a small group setting. The choir is directed by Kathi Gillaspy and rehearses twice a month on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Chancel Choir room. Hillyer Community Chorus The Hillyer Community Chorus was founded by Paul B. Conway in 1970 under the sponsorship of Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, which continues to be the largest sponsor today. The purpose of the chorus is to present major choral works with orchestra, twice a year, and to offer singers in the community the opportunity to learn and produce works that are worthy but rarely heard. For the past 35 years, the chorus has performed approximately 108 choral and orchestral works (with none repeated), many of which have been premieres in the United States or North Carolina. Singers range in age from teens to over 80 and come from all walks of life in and around the Raleigh-Durham area. No auditions or dues are required, music is provided and no special performance attire is necessary. The only requirement for membership is the love of singing. Youth Choirs Cherub Choir Cherub Choir is geared for pre-school children at Hillyer and meets each Sunday morning from 9:45 until 10:00 a.m. in the Preschool classroom.  This choir is a wonderful introduction to the well- known children's Bible songs and gives most of the 3- and 4-year-olds their first experience of singing in a group. Lots of hand clapping, foot stomping, finger wiggling, and smiling—along with "passing notes"—let these children learn Christian music on a level that's just right for them. This choir sings in worship two or three times a year and is a favorite of the congregation. Susan Gray is the director. Alleluia Choir (grades K-5) While forming new friendships, this group comes together to witness the love of God through music. This choir enjoys learning and singing contemporary, spiritual, and traditional Christian music while learning basic music skills and singing fundamentals. The age range of the Alleluia Choir enables the younger singers to glean from the strengths of the older ones, while the more advanced choir members reinforce their own music knowledge and by encouraging the newer singers.  This choir meets at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday evenings in the Alleluia Choir room.  Susan Gray is the director. Celebrate! Youth Choir (grades 6-12) Gathering weekly for rehearsals, this group seeks to glorify God through their music. The choir focuses on contemporary Christian praise songs and arrangements of traditional hymns, classical works, and gospel music. Over 30 members strong, the Celebrate! Youth Choir performed for the North Carolina Regional Assembly in Greensboro, North Carolina in April 2001. Two very successful Christmas cantatas have also been added to this choir's resumé. The mission and ministry of this enthusiastic group of young Christians is to witness their faith in God and the gospel of Jesus Christ through music, and to form lasting friendships and fellowship while they grow in their relationships with each other and with Christ. This choir meets on at 4:30p.m. on Sunday evenings in the Chancel Choir room.  Susan Gray is the director. Handbell Choirs Hillyer Handbell Choir Hillyer's primary handbell choir is an outstanding ensemble of enthusiastic music-loving adults exploring the relatively new art of ringing. Its mission is to enhance worship through presentation of passionate, spiritual, and inspirational music; to participate in other church functions; to promote and deepen fellowship; to continuously improve music and ringing skills; and increasingly, to perform outreach on behalf of the church through concerts and other playing opportunities at retirement communities, nursing homes, schools, shopping centers and other churches. The group plays on an expanding set of instruments that includes five octaves of Schulmerich handbells and four octaves of Schulmerich handchimes. The choir rehearses weekly, Wednesdays, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., and plays one to two Sundays per month, plus up to several times each year outside of worship services. Other optional ringing opportunities include two handbell festivals each year and, for advanced players, handbell quartets with occasional performances. All interested persons are welcome as church membership is not required. Although prior ringing experience is not essential, an ability to read music is necessary. This is a high-quality, successful and very musical choir that works extremely hard, but has an astonishing amount of fun and friendship, making for an extraordinary and rewarding experience. David Brown is the director. Handchime Choir (grades 3-5) This choir is perfect for music beginners, grades 3–5, who are interested in learning how to ring. Participants use chimes in place of bells. They learn to read music and think for themselves as well as team with their peers to practice and perform elementary music on our four-octave set of handchimes. The group practices each Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary as part of Hillyer's Youth Ministry and occasionally plays in worship services. This program is very educational and great fun too. All interested youth are welcome. David Brown is the director. Youth Handbell Choir (grades 6-12) This is a growing group of interested youth who have wonderful fellowship and fun while learning to ring and perform in a musical way and developing into accomplished players. Members are taught all the basics of handbells as well as many advanced ringing techniques, and play for worship services every four to six weeks. Attendance at an annual youth handbell festival is also planned. The choir is open to all youth, grades 6–12, and talented 5th graders by audition. No experience is required, though a beginning ability to read music is recommended. Interested beginning or less experienced adults, as well as parents of youth members are also welcome to participate in this choir. The group meets as part of Hillyer's Youth Ministry, rehearsing each Sunday at 5:15 p.m. The experience of mastering the handbell instrument and playing music well instills in these Hillyer youth a great sense of satisfaction, achievement, self-reliance, and teamwork, and gives them a life-long skill that will help them find interaction and friendship wherever they may go. David Brown is the director.