Music at University Congregational Church
Music is important in the life of our congregation both as a means of spiritual expression and as an outreach ministry.
Chancel Choir
Our 30-40 member choir contributes to Sunday worship services with anthems and choral responses. The choir sings a variety of sacred musical selections often accompanied by organ or piano, and sometimes other instruments as well. Often, individual choir members enhance worship with solo musical selections.
Any church member or regular visitor who can carry a tune and read music is invited to join the choir! The choir meets for rehearsal most Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. before 10:30 a.m. worship service during the months September through June.
Director of Music
Our Director of Music is Dr. Ryan Beeken. Ryan Beeken serves as Director of Choral Activities at Wichita State University where he conducts the Concert Chorale and WuChoir (treble ensemble), teaches graduate and undergraduate choral conducting, and oversees the choral area. He received Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Drake University and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University.
Dr. Beeken’s choirs have performed at State, Regional, and National Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and for state and regional NAfME conferences. Beeken is regularly engaged as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. His engagements include over 50 All-States and Honor Choirs in nineteen states, the Czech Republic and Austria, and many invited presentations for symposia across the United States and in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He recently served as the Artistic Director A Cappella Abroad in 2018, an international choral festival in Prague and during 2020-2021 will be conducting all-states in Alaska, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Wyoming and international festivals in Dublin, Ireland, Muscat, Oman, and Tallinn, Estonia. He has served on the executive committee of the American Choral Directors Association at both the state and regional level and just completed a term as the President for the D3 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.
Prior to his appointment at WSU, Dr. Beeken served as director or choral studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught at Michigan State University. While residing in Des Moines, Iowa, Beeken directed the Drake Chorale at Drake University. He also taught elementary, middle school, and high school music for sixteen years, most recently serving as Director of Vocal Music for Waukee Schools in suburban Des Moines where he lead a program of over 300 students and twelve ensembles to national distinction.
Musical Instruments
The sanctuary is graced with a stunningly-displayed Schlicher pipe organ, a concert grand piano and a fine harpsichord. Locally well-known classical pianist/organist Helen Griffin has shared her musical gifts with our UCC worship experience for nearly twenty years.
Special Music Programs
During most Easter and Christmas seasons, the choir performs an expanded musical program, often with orchestral accompaniment. For example, on Easter Sunday in 2012, the choir, along with a 32-piece orchestra, performed “Gloria,” a sacred cantata by contemporary composer Karl Jenkins
Choir members contribute their talents to other church programs and events throughout the year. Most notable, the choir’s annual “Revelations” program, a fund-raising event for our student musical scholarships, offers dinner and a light-hearted evening of musical performances.
Music Student Scholarship Program
For many years, UCC has supported an outreach ministry in the form of modest scholarships for 10-15 college students majoring in vocal music. These students contribute their talents to the chancel choir and other church programs, and in return, receive support and nurturing from a caring Christian community. Many students eventually move away from Wichita to pursue dreams and careers, but not before establishing life-long friendships and ties with UCC members.