Everyone is welcome! Through our music...
- We praise God.
- We grow closer to God.
- We tell others about God.
- We bless the congregation.
- We make something beautiful.
- We grow closer to one another.
"Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." Ephesians 5:19
Call for Summer Musicians
Do you sing, play an instrument, whistle, or have a clapping ensemble? Share your musical gifts in worship this summer! There is room for all ages and abilities. Contact Joshua Velez for more information and to sign up.
Pipe Organ Celebration
Former and current Gary Church organists came together in May 2025 to celebrate 95 years of the church's 1930 Austin pipe organ. The organ has led and supported worship every week for nearly a century. Music directors
have changed, pastors have rotated in service, and musical styles and tastes have
continued to evolve, but the organ has remained a constant. Even though recent
years have been particularly hard on church music programs, Gary Church remains
committed to a vibrant music ministry and the pipe organ as foundational to the
worship life of the congregation.
Hear about the history of the organ here.
Hear the organ concert here.
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The original organ in the present building was built in 1930 by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut at a cost of $15,900. It contained 26 ranks and was divided between two chambers located in the Chancel of the Church and completely under expression. It was an instrument of 3-manuals plus pedal and served Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL, for 60 years without change. In 1990, a solid-state combination action was installed in the console and a few tonal additions made.
In 2003, the Bradford Organ Company of Evanston, Illinois took charge of the maintenance. Under their direction, several tonal changes and additions were made and a completed specification drawn up based upon plans set forth in 1990. In 2006, the console underwent a complete renovation including new stop jambs and keyboards. At present, the organ contains 45 ranks plus console preparations for 3 digital ranks in the pedal.
A trompette-en-chamade was added in 2011 and first used on Easter Sunday that year.
Organ: Austin Organ Company, 1930 (Op 1737)
Rebuilt, tonal additions, 1990
Console rebuilt, tonal additions, 2006-2011
GREAT SWELL 16' Gemshorn (Ch) 16' Lieblich Gedeckt 8' Diapason 8' Diapason 8' Bourdon 8' Gedeckt 8' Gamba 8' Salicional 4' Octave 8' Voix Celeste 4' Harmonic Flute 4' Principal 2' Fifteenth 4' Flat Traverso IV Fourniture 2 2/3' Nazard 16' Contra Tromba 2' Flautino 8' Tromba 1 3/5' Tierce Chimes III Mixture 16' Contra Trumpet 8' Cornopean 8' Oboe 8' Vox Humana 4' Clarion Tremelo CHOIR PEDAL 16' Gemshorn *32' Double Open Wood 8' Rohr Flute 32' Contra Bourdon 8' Gemshorn *16' Open Diapason 8' Gemshorn Celeste 16' Principal 4' Koppel Flute 16" Bourdon 2' Spitz Flute 16' Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw) 1 1/3' Quint 16" Gemshorn (Gh) III Scharf 8' Octave 8' Trumpet-en-Chamade 8' Flute 8' Clarinet 4' Choral Bass Harp *32'' Contra Bombarde Celesta 16' 16' Trombone Cymbelstem 16' 16' Contra Trumpet (Sw) Tremolo 8' Trumpet 4' Clarion * Console Preparation Only
11:11 a.m. music playlist
If you've been wanting a way to worship through singing at home or on the road, Collective Joy! now has a playlist on YouTube and Spotify of the songs that we regularly sing at the 11:11 a.m. Sunday service! Feel free to listen throughout the week so you can be even more familiar with the songs we are singing on Sunday mornings.
Children's Choir
Wednesdays, 6:15-7 p.m., Choir Room
Age 3–Grade 5
This group will make music with friends and praise God in worship. Register here.
4:12
Youth Band: (7th-12th
grade): Tuesdays, 6-6:45 p.m.
Do you play an instrument? Want to learn an instrument? Love to sing? Come and join 4:12 Youth Band as we play worship music together. All skill levels welcome. Register here to learn more.
Men’s Chorus
Saturdays, 9-10 a.m., Choir Room (meets twice a month)
High School–Adult: tenors and basses
Celebration Singers
This group for adult sopranos and altos is on hiatus until we can provide leadership.
Chancel Choir
Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m., Choir Room
High School–Adult: sopranos, altos, tenors, basses
Usually leads Sunday worship at 9 a.m.
Collective Joy!
Thursdays, 6–7 p.m., Sanctuary
High School–Adult
Praise band, usually leads worship at 11:11 a.m.
Festival Choir and Orchestra
Meets weekly at the beginning of the year to sing and play in worship before or during Lent. The music is the sermon for the day.
Please contact Director of Music Joshua Velez to find out more about our singing groups!
Good News Ringers
Wednesdays, 5:30–6:15 p.m., Bell Room
Grades 3–6
Glory Ringers
Sundays, 11 a.m.–noon, Bell Room
Grades 7–12 and adults
Sanctuary Ringers
This group is on hiatus until we can provide leadership. Interested adults are welcome to join Glory Ringers.
Altar Bells
Wednesdays, 6:30–7:45 p.m., Bell Room
High School–Adult
Please contact Director of Music Joshua Velez to learn more about our handbell groups.
Musicians of all ages are invited to share their musical gifts in worship at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL.
Contact Director of Music Joshua Velez to find out more.
Hear the 2025 Festival Choir and Chamber Orchestra
Enjoy Maurice Duruflé's Requiem, with
organ and chamber orchestra. This deeply moving and spiritual work served as the musical message during our Sunday worship services on the
second Sunday of Lent.
Music Ministry Examples
Below is a sampling of many of our music groups. Click the upper left of
the video for the drop down menu to view a specific group.
Hear the 2024 Festival Choir and Orchestra: