Music Ministry
The Derbyshire Music Ministry consists of multiple ensembles with varying age groups, from children’s choirs to handbells, but all with the same purpose: to lead our church community in dynamic and diverse worship. Every member of the music ministry is a worship leader, from our singing preschoolers to the musicians in our Instrumental Ensemble. In addition to leading the weekly worship service on Sundays at 10:30 AM, these faithful musicians present additional special services throughout the year, like the annual Derbyshire Christmas Program, Christmas Eve services, and special services for the Lenten season, Holy Week, and Easter.
At Derbyshire, we have opportunities for every musician to lead, from the seasoned singer to the first-time flautist, and everything in between! Although it is recommended that members of the instrumental groups have basic note-reading skills, none of our ensembles require an audition or extensive experience, so all are welcome!
Derbyshire Chancel Choir
All are welcome to join the Chancel Choir (young adults 16 and up)! This ensemble’s primary responsibility consists of leading worship through hymn-singing and presenting a variety of choral anthems as part of the Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 AM. The Chancel Choir is the primary ensemble for the Derbyshire Christmas program in mid-December each year as well as for the Good Friday Tenebrae service in the spring.
For more information contact Steven Thomason.
Handbells
The DBC Handbell Ministry provides children, youth, and adults the opportunity to learn beginning ringing techniques and musical notation while challenging them to expand existing musical skills and enhance Sunday worship experiences through handbells. Children and youth learn to ring handbells in their respective choirs, while adults can participate through the Derbyshire Ringers.
The Derbyshire Ringers is an adult handbell choir for experienced ringers that rehearses on Sundays, 4:45 - 5:45 PM. This group faithfully leads in Sunday worship services and seasonal presentations. They play challenging literature that utilizes many differing handbell techniques and special effects.
Youth Choir
This 6th - 12th grade choir rehearses Sunday afternoons from 4:00 - 4:45 PM and leads in worship throughout the school year. Their repertoire includes both traditional and modern choral selections accompanied by piano.
The Youth Choir strives to advance personal understanding of musical notation and the practice of score reading, effective use of the singing voice, and part singing. Youth choir also encourages personal faith and instills Christian stewardship of talent, time, and energy through rehearsals and leadership in worship services.
The DBC Youth Choir participates in the Segue Youth Choir Festival held each March in the Raleigh area. This one-day event includes high-energy rehearsals led by some of the finest choral directors in the region, creative worship experiences and devotions, relationship-building times of fellowship, and an inspiring worship concert in a beautiful worship space at the end of the Festival.
Children’s Choirs
Using the acclaimed Growing in Grace Curriculum, the DBC Children’s Choirs encourage children ages 3 through 5th grade to discover and develop their musical skills and knowledge while increasing their awareness of and need for God in their lives. Each age-related choir meets on Sunday afternoons from 4:00-4:45 pm as part of our Music and Missions Camps and provides musical instruction and experiences appropriate to the child’s developmental age and ability.
The Preschool Choir is for ages 3 years to Kindergarten and is an experiential, beginning choir that explores basic concepts about God and music through the singing of brief, small-range melodies while enjoying guided physical movement and selected craft activities.
The Children's Choir is for grades 1-5 and further develops understanding and use of musical notation in score reading while encouraging part-singing on more challenging music to deepen children’s faith in and understanding of God. This group leads in Sunday worship each semester and annually sings at a senior living facility.
Seasonal Presentations
Holy Week
Starting with Palm Sunday, Holy Week is the final week of the Lenten season before Easter when the church commemorates the events leading to Christ’s death and resurrection. Holy Week at Derbyshire includes the procession of palms on Palm Sunday, a church dinner and service centered on the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, and a Good Friday Tenebrae service in the sanctuary the following night.
Good Friday Tenebrae
The Good Friday Tenebrae service, with music presented by the Chancel Choir, reflects on the final moments of Jesus’s life. This “Service of Shadows” is similar in format to a “Stations of the Cross” service and focuses on several symbols that represent the trials that Jesus experienced. The somber, meditative mood of this service provides space for congregants to reflect on the great sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humanity and sets the stage for Easter Sunday when we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Christmas at Derbyshire
Christmas is a wonderful time at DBC! We kick off the season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the first Sunday of Advent, complete with “snow,” hot cocoa, and cookies. Later in Advent, we send small groups into the community to sing carols in nearby retirement communities and care facilities.
The Derbyshire Christmas Program has become a cherished community tradition in early December. This musical worship experience features the Derbyshire Ringers, Instrumental Ensemble, Chancel Choir, and other guest musicians. The program is our gift to the community, so the performances are free and open to all!