THE MUSIC MINISTRY
Music is a vital part of our Sunday morning worship. We have a strong group of dedicated adult singers, an active children’s group and an accomplished organist and choir director. We use both the Pilgrim Hymnal and The New Century Hymnal for our worship. With these two we have a wide selection of hymns and service music from the early years of the church as well as additions from the last several decades. The variety of music is an enhancement to our message of welcome and faith. Our Austin organ was built and installed in 1904 and is a two manual, (9 rank) pipe instrument with chimes. It was extensively refurbished in 2004.
The Music Director
In August 2007, we were delighted to welcome Mr. John Lampe as our Music Director. He leads the congregation in song from the organ and piano and directs our choirs.
The Adult Choir
The choir participates on most Sunday mornings in addition to special services such as Ecumenical Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and others as planned by the music director. Rehearsals are currently on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. New voices and instrumentalists are always welcome.
The Children's Choir
This group is made up of the children of the Sunday School and is led by a member of the adult choir. In previous years they have presented ambitious original performances such as “The Music Machine”, Christmas pageants and occasional Sunday morning anthems. There are student instrumentalists as well as singers.
Our Pipe Organ
Our Higganum Congregational Church organ, Opus 109 of the Austin Organ Company, was a gift in 1904 of Mrs. Hezekiah Scovil in memory of her husband. It has two manuals and nine ranks of pipes. It is one of few such pipe organs with original specifications intact, including tibia and narrow string stops which were hallmarks of its designer, Robert Hope-Jones. The then vice-president of Austin, Jones later became famous as the father of the “unit organ”, and eventually Wurlitzer theater organs used to accompany silent movies.
In 1946 the organ was restored, and a new console allowing electro-pneumatic action was installed. (The original console was against the wall, under the pipes.) The following year a 25-note set of chimes was installed, donated by the Spencer family. More recently in 2001, the organ chamber ceiling and walls were repaired, the organ completely overhauled, and chimes repaired to fit Opus 109 for many more years of harmonious service.