Music

Wesley-Knox has become well known for its outstanding music programs. Under our Director of Music Karen Schuessler, Cherub and Primary Choir leader Barbara McGill, and Handbell Choir director Cathie Banks, the church enjoys excellent music in a variety of styles from every time and place.
 

Senior Choir

The Senior Choir’s Annual Christmas Concert with Denise Pelley and band continues to attract capacity audiences (500–600) year after year.Throughout the year, the 32-voice Wesley-Knox Senior Choir directed by Karen Schuessler leads congregational worship and sings an anthem. The Senior Choir's annual Christmas concert with jazz vocalist Denise Pelley, organ and band continue to attract audiences of over 500 year after year. Service music may be classical, gospel, African or contemporary. All choir members are volunteers. There are no paid soloists or section leaders. Rehearsals are at 7:30–9:30 pm, September to June. Ability to read music is an asset but not a requirement. (Those without reading skills usually learn to read as they sing.) A love of music and regular attendance at choir rehearsals are the basic requirements. For more information, contact Karen Schuessler. telephone number and e-mail address below.
 

Community Choir Program for Children and Young People

The new Cherub Choir and the Primary Choir comprise a lively, interactive music program that teaches children the basic elements of music through games, movement, rhythm instruments, singing and excellent choral repertoire. The Junior Boys and Junior Girls choirs, and Mysterium youth choir, further develop vocal techniques and add the ability to read music and sing in parts. At Wesley-Knox, we feel  these experiences lay the foundation for future music learning and a lifelong love of music. Children and young people learn to sing and experience singing musically in a choir. Singing on several Sundays each season allows them to become an integral part of worship and to develop confidence and performance skills. There is no requirement for the children or any of their parents to be associated with Wesley-Knox. For additional information or to enrol a child or young person in a program, please contact Barbara McGill or Karen Schuessler by telephone or by e-mail.

Primary Choir on a Singing SundayDirected by Barbara McGill, 519.438.4556, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cherub Choir
• For children in JK–SK
• Gathers every Thursday at 4-4:45 pm
• Works on basic music skills

Primary Choir
• For children in Grade 1–3
• Rehearses every Thursday at 5-6 pm
• Performs four or five times each year

Junior Choir to Grace United, SarniaDirected by Karen Schuessler, 519.473.1668, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Boys' Junior Choir
• For boys in Grades 4-8
• Rehearses every Thursday at 4:45-5:30 pm 
• Performs five to eight times each year

Girls' Junior Choir
• For girls in Grades 4-8
• Rehearses every Thursday at 5:15-6 pm
• Performs five to eight times each year

Mysterium at the 2012 L’Arche BanquetMysterium
• For enthusiastic, music-loving teens in Grades 9-12+
• Rehearses every Thursday at 6-7 pm
• Performs five to eight times each year, various venues

Visit the Mysterium Facebook page here. Go Mysterium!

A  brochure describing the 2012–2013 Children’s and Youth Community Choir Program is available here. A special 2012–2013 Music Calendar showing all rehearsal and performance times is available here. The new 2012–2013 Handbook for choristers and choir parents is available here.
 

Handbell Choir

The Handbell Choir making a joyful noise!The Handbell Choir, directed by Cathie Banks, prepares music to enhance worship and occasionally rings in the community and beyond. This group rehearses every other Wednesday at 6:30-8:30 pm. New ringers are always welcomed. For information, please contact Cathie Banks, 519.471.2351, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 

The Wesley-Knox Organ

Originally Casavant No. 333 built in 1908, the Wesley-Knox organ was completely rebuilt and enlarged by Guibault-Thèrien Facteurs d’Orgues of St. Hyacinthé, Quebec, in 1996. It now Organ at 100 Concert Poster 2008comprises some 56 stops spread over three manuals and pedals and is one of the most powerful and versatile instruments in the city, capable of not only leading worship but rendering organ literature from every time and place.

A full specification of the Wesley-Knox organ is available here.