Music

This congregation loves to sing! All ages, all backgrounds, all voices.

At United we believe God speaks all kinds of languages and loves all kinds of music, so we offer a variety of musical opportunities.

The choirs (listed below) sing everything from African-American spirituals and Spanish folk music, to Mozart and songs from Broadway musicals. And so does the congregation!Steinway Artist and Music Director, Jacquelyn Helin, blesses us each Sunday with beautiful and compelling works by composers from Chopin to Copland.

Choral opportunities include:

  • Adult Sanctuary Choir rehearses on Wednesdays, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and sings at the 11:00 service (Sr. Paula Gallagher)
  • Early Morning Choir rehearses Sundays at 7:45 a.m., and sings once a month for the 8:30 service (Jacquelyn Helin)
  • Bell Choir rehearses on Mondays at 6:30 p.m., and plays on special occasions (Donna Clark)
  • Teen Que? Choir (grades 6-12) rehearses Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. (with a dinner at 6:00 p.m.) and sings regularly at the 11:00 service (Abby Railsback)
  • Childen’s Choir rehearses Sundays at 9:45 a.m. and sings once a month at ll:00 a.m. service (Abby Railsback)

United Church Santa Fe is fortunate to have Jacquelyn Helin, an internationally famous pianist, as the Director of Music Ministries. Jacquelyn, whose concerts draw standing ovations and rave reviews, has played in the major music capitals of Europe and the USA. As winner of the Artists International Competition, she played to a sold-out audience in Carnegie Recital Hall. For additional reviews, awards, and repertoire go to:jacquelynhelin.com.

Abby Railsback, our Children’s & Youth Choir Director, grew up in Fort Collins, CO as a PK (Pastor’s Kid) and graduated from a small liberal arts college in Gunnison, CO at Western State with a degree in music education. She has worked as a middle school and high school choir director in Lyons, CO and spends her free time both rock and mountain climbing. Now her journey has brought her husband to Graduate school at St. Johns College, and Abby to United – where “I can fully embrace every part of joy that God has placed before me!” Feel free to email Abby with any questions you may have.

 


“They who sing pray twice.”
St. Augustine