Sing to the Lord a new song, for the Lord has done marvelous things.— Psalm 98:1
Music in Worship
Music is a vital part of our worship here. Together through hymns, responses, anthems and other special music, we offer our lives in praise to God. During each of our weekly services, you’ll find our choirs and musicians enriching our worship experience as they use their musical gifts together.
The Great Choir
The Congregation is the Great Choir of the church. We sing together the great hymns of the church, including music from a variety of styles and genres. We sing in praise, confession, meditation, prayer, and proclamation of our faith.
Music Opportunities
Sanctuary Choir
Sanctuary Choir, made up of adults and high school students, rehearses Thursday evenings at 7pm September – June, and sings weekly at the 10 am service as well as other services and events during the year. Interested in singing? Contact our Director of Music Ministries, Chris Fortin.
Oratorio Choir
Oratorio Choir is composed of members of the Sanctuary and and other interested singers from the congregation and community. Ages high school through adult. During Oratorio Season, they rehearse Thursday evenings from 8:15 – 9:45 pm. This Oratorio Choir presents two concerts each year, one in December and one in the spring. Interested in singing? Contact our Director of Music Ministries, Chris Fortin
Middle School Music
Youth in grades 6 – 8 are invited to participate in our new middle school music program. Mezza Handbell Choir will ring in worship three times in the fall, and Youth Choir will sing on two Sundays and also Christmas Eve at our 7:35pm service.
Rehearsals for each choir occur on select Sunday mornings after church. To register, contact our Director of Music Ministries, Chris Fortin.
Children’s Music
Our Children’s Midweek Ministry program (click for details) contains a music element and provides an opportunity for children to find their singing voices and use them to praise God in worship! The children have fun singing, learning basic music reading, playing instruments, learning Bible stories reflected in the texts of the music, learning about the Christian year, and preparing for worship leadership.
If interested in joining the Children’s Music programs, contact Beth Donley, Director of Children’s Music Ministries, 908-500-1789.
Handbell Music
BRPC has had active handbell choirs since the 1950’s. The church owns six and a half octaves of Whitechapel Handbells crafted in London, England, as well as three octaves of Malmark Choirchimes. We presently have two adult bell choirs and one youth bell choir that rehearse weekly and play at various services and area events during the year.
Alpha Bell Choir rehearses Tuesdays at 6:15 – 7:15pm and is made up of adult ringers. Ability to read music is important, but prior handbell experience is not required.
Knox Bell Choir rehearses Tuesdays at 7:30pm – 8:45pm and is made up of experienced ringers. Individuals ringing in this choir must have a musical background and/or have handbell ringing experience.
Interested in ringing? Contact our Director of Music Ministries, Chris Fortin.
Band & Orchestra
Instrumentalists of all ages are invited to contribute during weekly worship and other special events. If you’re in band or orchestra at school, or if you’re a grown-up who loves to play, we need you! Accompany hymns or offer special music this year to enhance our music life together. Solos and ensembles welcome!
Contact our Director of Music Ministries, Chris Fortin.
Music Education Scholarship
Are you in grades 6 through 12 and study vocal or instrumental music? We encourage you to apply for the Nancy Childs Knobloch Music Scholarship. This scholarship supports music education of youth in our church family, and is intended to help with tuition for pre-college, chorus or similar music programs, or private lessons. To be eligible, you must be a member or child of a member of the church. Please contact Chris Fortin if you have questions. Applications are due May 31, 2023. (Click to view an application)
Special Music Events
Oratorio Concerts
In celebration of the seasons of Advent & Lent, we offer an oratorio during each. These dynamic performances include a large choral work sung by our Oratorio Choir accompanied by an orchestra, and also feature our Knox Bell Choir. All are welcome to attend our Christmas Oratorio on Sunday, December 4th at 4 pm and our Spring Oratorio on Sunday, March 26th at 4 pm. To help support our special music events throughout the year, please consider donating to Friends of Music.
Lenten Music and Meditation Services
Wednesdays during Lent at 12 noon in the Sanctuary
Join us March 1, 8, 15 and 22 in the Sanctuary to experience these 30 minute services of music, readings and prayer that offer a quiet, reflective time out of our busy schedules during the season of Lent. Music provided by guest artists and our own Women’s Choir. Following each service, lunch is offered in Westminster Hall. Bring a friend!
Children’s Special Music Programs
The children’s choirs offer two special music programs during the year – one in December during Advent and one in the spring at our 10am worship service. These events, directed by Beth Donley, provide an opportunity for children to find their singing voices and use them to praise God. Children Ages 3 – Grade 5 are invited to join us for weekly gatherings of music, art and other fun activities Tuesdays at 4:15pm.