Music Ministry
                                             Praise the Lord!
                     Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty heaven!

The Sanctuary Choir with "Here Is Love" Cantata Instrumental Ensemble

Joseph V. Shelley, Director of Music Ministries
music@tumcfl.org • 407-221-1309

    At Tuskawilla United Methodist Church, we strive to create an atmosphere of Passionate Worship that elicits heart-felt communing with God.  We strongly believe that all styles of music are important vehicles of worship and that praising God should not be limited to just one particular type or genre of music.  That in order to more-effectively reflect the rich diversity within the Christian community, we must allow our chancel to be open to all Holy Spirit-anointed musicians.  Worshipers can expect to sing and be ministered to by a wide variety of music: hymns, spirituals, contemporary praise, classical, gospel, anthems, and many others.

    On any given Sunday service, you will often hear: pipe organ, piano, guitars, drums, synthesizer, soloists, the sanctuary choir, the children's choir, praise ensembles, and many others.  We are especially blessed to feature one of the country's preeminent Gospel artists, Shawn Brown. 

    Below, feel free to explore some of these musical elements more closely.  And of course, we are always looking for individuals to join one of our musical groups.  Even if you've had little to no experience, we provide a comfortable environment for you to learn the skills involved in singing or playing a musical instrument.

    Should you wish to meet with me for any reason, please feel free to give me a call (407-221-1309), send an email (music@tumcfl.org), or meet me at the church. 

                                Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!

    The Sanctuary Choir has been an on-going ministry at TUMC for more than twenty-five years!  We encourage men and women, high-school aged through senior adult, experienced and non-experienced alike to become active members of our choir.  Singing at all worship services and for special events such as Easter and Christmas musicals, the Sanctuary Choir is an integral body of singers committed to helping lead the congregation in corporate worship.  Come be a part of this warm, friendly, and fun group!  No auditions are required as we teach you the skills to sing successfully in a choral setting. 

WEEKLY REHEARSALS: Thursdays: 7:15 PM - 9:15 PM

Praise him with a trumpet;
             praise him with the lyre and harp!

     Come be a part of our new Handbell choir on alternating Wednesday nights at 7:30 PM.  The ability to read music is a plus, but not a must.

    Every other Thursdays, at 6:00 PM, all instrumentalists are invited to serve with their gift of instrumental music. Whatever your ability, or lack thereof, you are encouraged to participate!

Praise him with the tambourine
and dancing;

    Our Christian Dance Ministry, Heavenly Expressions, includes male and female youth who attend rehearsals after AMPLIFY on Sunday evenings, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

    We participate in church worship services and our church’s seasonal presentations. Heavenly Expressions also travels locally to workshops, outreach events, memorial services, senior citizen homes, other churches, and public dance presentations.

    Our choreographer, Susan Caswell, brings seasoned experience to our ministry. After majoring in dance at Florida State, she danced with the Miami Ballet Company and for the Miami Dolphins, which provided her with an opportunity to dance in London and Tokyo. She also served as a Disney Dancer. In the past, Susan was the artistic director and choreographer for the Winter Springs High School Hunnybears.

    Lena Titus, our artistic director, has danced since she was six years old. While attending Brooklyn College as a dance major, she danced at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy and Carnegie Hall.

    All who are called to serve the Lord through dance are welcome to become a part of our ministry. No previous experience is required and training is provided.

    For more information, please contact Kathy Rexroad, Director of Youth Ministries at 407-699-8155, or at youth@tumcfl.org.

praise him with strings and flutes!

Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.

Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

PRAISE THE LORD!

   
A strong and vital part of our weekly worship experience, the Contemporary Praise Band. Weekly Worship Services are include new and classic songs of Praise and Worship as well as great hymns of the church.  Incorporating vocalists, keyboards, acoustic, electric & bass guitars, drums and other live instruments, you are sure to be blessed by the inspirational Contemporary Praise Band.

    All youth who play a musical instrument or sing are invited to join the Halo Youth Praise Band. The band leads our youth worship every Sunday evening, participates once a month in Sunday morning church services, and participates in community outreach events. Our regular rehearsal times are 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday and 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Halo worships using contemporary Christian praise music. We welcome new members with a talent for playing an instrument or singing and who desire to praise the Lord through their music.

    To audition for vocalist or instrumentalist, contact Kathy Rexroad, Director of Youth Ministries at 407-699-8155, or at youth@tumcfl.org.

    Singing several times throughout the year, the Men's Ensemble offers a chance for just the guys to hang out and sing a variety of songs: hymns, praise and worship, southern gospel, and many other styles!  Though we prefer men with experience in singing, we do spend time during rehearsals teaching vocal skills.  We encourage high-school aged through senior adult men to join this uniquely fun ensemble.

    REHEARSALS: Every other Wednesday at 7:00 PM (Main Sanctuary)

    Led by Lois Cochran, the Whiffenpoofs' primary objective is to minister to folks who are often living in assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, hospice as well as other venues.  As a non-audition group, the Whiffs' (for short) encourage anyone who is interested the opportunity to sing in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.  Repertoire includes much-loved folk, sacred, gospel, and classical songs, such as: "Shine On Harvest Moon," "Edelweiss," "When the Saints Go Marching In," and many others.

    If you would like more information about the Whiffenpoofs, please email Lois by clicking here.

    God has blessed TUMC with the one and only, Shawn Brown!  Mr. Brown's prowess at the keyboard will truly amaze any listener!  And with a sweet, rich tenor voice, Mr. Brown will nourish your soul as he transcends melody and rhythm to his listening audience.  A remarkable musician in his own right, Mr. Brown's Gospel styling's are hailed as being among the best in the country.

    Currently serving with us on the third and fourth Sundays of each month, you will definitely want to invite your friends and family as you are truly blessed by the music of Shawn Brown.  To learn more about Shawn, visit him at his website, shawnbrownband.com