Music: An Integral Part of NPC
The three choirs at Nacoochee Presbyterian are an important aspect of our worship services and our ministry to the community. There are many other opportunities for volunteer singers and musicians who wish to share their musical gifts. Anyone with a talent and interest in music is welcome to join our program.
Three to four times per year, a “Musical Sunday” becomes the centerpiece of worship. These services interweave the various styles of our congregation’s musicians (from Gospel Bluegrass to Bach) with complementary scripture readings.
Several times a year, our school age children and local musicians also share their gifts with us during worship.
In addition, NPC hosts special concerts from time to time via visiting musicians as well as local performers.
NPC Vocal Choir
Throughout the year, the choir prepares weekly anthems. We sing
for Christmas Eve, Good Friday, and for memorial services if a family
desires choral music.
Director of Music
BARBARA LUHNNPC Musical Director
Barbara Luhn has been a church musician for over 40 years and holds degrees from Oberlin College and Westminster Choir College. In addition to the choir at NPC, she directs the Sautee Camerata, a small women’s ensemble that sings many styles of repertoire. She frequently and joyfully performs in a variety of productions with other musicians in the Valley.
As part of her music ministry leadership, Barbara has brought Taizé worship services to NPC. Music is an important part of these unique worship services held monthly during the fall and winter months. The
services follow the pattern of worship developed by the Taizé Community, an ecumenical Christian monastic order in Burgundy, France.
Nacoochee Bells
The Nacoochee Bells came together as a group in October 2012, following an all-day workshop with Dale and Alice Myers. Since then, the bell choir has expanded in numbers and advanced in skills. The ringers are excited about the opportunities to ring a three-octave set of beautiful Malmark bells. They perform with the Sautee Chorale, in addition to their musical acts of praise during worship at NPC throughout the year.
Director of Nacoochee Bells
CLARISSA EVANSNacoochee Bells Director
Clarissa Evans began playing handbells in church over 30 years ago. Until 2014, she rang with The Atlanta Concert Ringers, an advanced community handbell choir under the direction of Kevin McChesney. Upon retirement, Clarissa and her husband, Patrick, relocated to the serenity of the north Georgia mountains and joined Nacoochee Presbyterian Church. When asked by Music Director Barbara Luhn to lead the newly formed bell choir, she accepted the opportunity with great enthusiasm.
The Folk Choir
The folk choir participates on Christmas Eve and during Sunday services for special occasions and is just what the name implies. No experience is needed to participate in this choir where “the folk process” reigns! Accompanied by musicians playing various acoustic instruments from fiddle to penny whistle, the music selections vary from reflective to rousing and are always moving and memorable.