Friendship Singers

Wednesdays, 6:00-6:45 p.m., Chapel
Grades 1-5. Jennifer Whiting, Director; Katie Gibbons, Assistant
This group will focus on developing their singing voices, making music with friends, and praising God in worship. Register here.

Good News Ringers

Grades 3–6  Directors: Mrs. Nancy Brunner, Director; Ms. Jill Stoffels, Assistant
Learn about ringing hand bells and reading music in this fun class. Register here.

Cherubs

Age 3–Kindergarten
This group explores music through rhythm and movement, and each child is accompanied by an adult who participates in the class. It's a fun way to spend time with your preschooler! This class caps at seven students and requires registration through the Gary United Methodist Church Office.

Instrumental Ensembles

High School to Adult Strings, brass, or various combinations of instruments accompany the worship services at various times throughout the year. Jennifer Whiting oversees these special projects. We especially need brass, strings, percussion and winds on holidays such as Easter and Christmas, as well as on other Sundays. Please talk with Jennifer Whiting to participate!

Student Solos and Ensembles

Grades 6–12 – Jennifer Whiting, Director
We invite our middle school and high school students to bring their musical talents to worship throughout the year, participating as soloists or in ensembles of singers and instrumentalists. Bill Phemister or Jennifer Whiting will coach and accompany these groups. Please contact Bill or Jennifer, or the Church Office to join a group.

Glory Ringers

Grades 7–12  and Adults– Directors: Ms. Kristin Kalitowski-Kowal, Ms. Jill Stoffels
These handbell ringers enhance our worship once a month, September through May. Contact Kristin Kalitowski-Kowal through the Church Office to find out more.
Rehearsals are Sundays at 11:00 a.m. - noon in the Bell Room.

Chancel Choir

High School to Adult sopranos, altos, tenors, basses
Jennifer Whiting, Director; Kevin Lange, Pianist
Rehearsals are Thursdays, 7-8 p.m., Choir Room.

Men's Chorus

High School to Adult – Phil Roberts, Director
This chorus emphasizes fun and fellowship while developing vocal ensemble. All tenors and basses are welcome to sing!
Rehearsals are second and third Saturdays of each month from 8–9 a.m. in the Choir Room.

Celebration Sing-Along

High School to Adult , sopranos and altos
Director: Jennifer Whiting
This group for for sopranos and altos is on hiatus until we can provide leadership.

Festival Choir

High School to Adult – Jennifer Whiting, Director

This group will begin rehearsals in early 2024.

Adult Ensembles | With Heart and Hands and Voices

"The music we experience in our services helps us to focus on God and others and how we should live as Christians in our world. The music offers moments for peaceful reflection, something that maybe we don't find as often as we need during the week. The encouragement and comfort the music brings can be a much-needed balm for the tired or distressed, a reminder that God is near. These things are meaningful to me, and it is a special joy to participate with people of all ages at Gary who love giving to others through music." — Beth Graves

Chancel Choir

High School to Adult - Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Basses
Jennifer Whiting, Director; Kevin Lange, Pianist
Rehearsals are Thursdays, 7–8:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.

Men's Chorus

High School to Adult tenors and basses
Phil Roberts, Director
This chorus emphasizes fun and fellowship while developing vocal ensemble. Rehearsals are second and third Saturday mornings, 8–9 a.m. in the Choir Room.

Singers/instrumentalists for 11 a.m. worship

Thursdays, 6–7 p.m., Chapel

High School–Adult

Directors: Pam Connor | Lynda Goldberg

Celebration Sing-Along

High School to Adult Sopranos and Altos–
Jennifer Whiting, Director
This group is on hiatus until we can find leadership.

Festival Choir
High School to Adult – Jennifer Whiting, Director
Usually in late winter/early spring, this special choir shares music throughout an entire worship service. The music is the sermon for the day.

Instrumental Ensembles

High School to Adult

Strings, brass, or combinations of instruments accompany the worship services at various times throughout the year. Jennifer Whiting oversees these special projects. Please speak with her to find out how you may share your instrumental gifts with our Gary Church family in Wheaton, IL or email jwhiting@garychurch.org.

We welcome all bell ringers at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL to this vibrant ministry.

Good News Ringers

Grades 3–6 – Directors: Ms. Nancy Brunner, Ms. Jill Stoffels

Learn about ringing hand bells and reading music in this fun class.  Contact Nancy Brunner through the Church Office for more information. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 5:30-6:15 p.m. in the Bell Room.

Glory Ringers

Grades 7–12, plus adults – Directors: Ms. Kristin Kalitowski-Kowal, Ms. Jill Stoffels
Rehearsals are Sundays 11 a.m-noon in the Bell Room.

Altar Bells

High School to Adult– Phil Roberts, Director
This advanced bell ensemble rehearses Wednesdays 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the Bell Room. This group plays in worship approximately once per month.

Sanctuary Ringers

Adult –
This group for adults with no handbell ringing experience is on temporary hiatus. If you are interested in ringing with this group, you are invited to consider joining Glory Ringers. Please contact Kristin Kalitowski-Kowal through the church office (office@garychurch.org) or call 630-668-3100.

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

* Console Preparation Only