“Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing.”

~ John Wesley

Music at Murphy First

Under the leadership of Suzanne West, Director of Music,
the music at Murphy First enhances worship in many ways.

Handbell & Handchime Groups

  • Valley River Ringers: Auditioned ringers from Murphy and surrounding areas, as available for a season of performances,  meet on Tuesday nights at FUMC under the direction of Suzanne West. The choir rings only Level 3 and above music. They perform Christmas and spring concerts in many different venues.
 
  • Wesley Ringers: This group of adult handbell ringers participates in worship services many times throughout the year. They meet on Wednesdays in the bellroom. We encourage persons who have a heart for enhancing worship and can read music to contact Suzanne West.

Congregational Singing

  • With Suzanne West on pipe organ, we join our voices in hymns from The United Methodist Hymnal and its supplement, The Faith We Sing.

Vocal Groups

  • Chancel Choir: Meets on Wednesdays in the choir room to prepare service music and Christmas and Easter cantatas. They also meet Sunday mornings prior to the worship service to prepare their hearts, minds, and voices to lead in worship. New vocalists always welcome.
 
  • The Children’s Choir for children in grades K-5 learns about how music enriches worship, and they sometimes use instruments as well as their voices. They provide service music and sing in ministry to the elderly and shut-ins.

Piano Ensemble

  • Open to anyone in the congregation with piano/ keyboard skills, individuals in this group provide music prior to and during the worship services.
Guest Musicians
  • Through her connections with the local music community and beyond, including young musicians in the Young Harris College Department of Music, Suzanne West enriches our worship services with  a variety of guest vocalists and instrumentalists.
Other Activities
  • Church members connect and serve  through Christmas caroling for shut-ins  and other seasonal activities.
For questions about any of our music programs, please email Suzanne West, Director of Music.
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