A dedicated group of volunteer choristers make up the Chancel Choir of Second Reformed Church. These loyal members are assisted by choir interns from Hope College in Holland, who are selected on the basis of their vocal, instrumental, and/or conducting skills. Together we pursue a variety of expressions in choral music, bringing a rich diversity of skills to our endeavors.

In our repertoire you will find the works of Tallis, Handel, and Bach; Christiansen, Gounod, and Vaughan Williams; Hopson, Young, and Rutter; Sleeth, Courtney, and Fedak–just to give you a taste of the broad range of genres and interests we have. The more familiar names are accompanied by many, many others less well known, but which have also embellished the music of the church down through its generations.

Second Church has been blessed through the years with the leadership of many talented and dedicated directors, including Jeffrey Costello, Dorothy Borst, Stanley De Pree, Harold Geerdes, Carl Senob, Helen Van Eenenaam, Jean Herman Hill, Mabel Moeke Smith, Gladys Moeke De Vries, Isla Pruim Van Eenenaam, Chris J. Den Derder, and William De Pree. If you were to browse the choral library as it expanded under these directors, you would find a study in the development of American sacred music over the past century. Each director reveals his or her principles in the choice of music that is deemed suitable for each age. In addition, even when an anthem carries the name of Bach or Handel, for instance, the editorial markings and performance suggestions belie shifts in interpretation through the years.

As a pastoral musician, this writer focuses the ministry of a choir to deepening or elevating the prayer and praise of the people in worship. I am particularly devoted to transforming historic church music into presentations and forms that are lively and meaningful today.

Most choirs have their own legends and zeniths that help to define who they are. Among this choir’s high points are:

• A continuous record of performing “The Risen Conqueror” each Easter morning since 1904. This piece carries a copyright of 1903, attributing the music to Handel, arranged by (John?) Foxwell, with a text by Palmer Hartsough (early 20th century). I have not found Hartsough’s text in any other printed volume, nor can I place which work of Handel is extracted for this piece.
• A series of special services, vespers, and music festivals, culminating in the Diamond Jubilee in 1979. This decade, which saw several performances of Brahms’ “Requiem,” often had a roster of 35 – 40 choir members for these special events.
• A CD recorded in 2004 for the Centennial Year of Second Church. The CD, recorded under the direction of Jeffrey Costello, highlights representative anthems of the choir across the ages.

The Chancel Choir is active during the normal ministry year of Second Church, September through May. If you are interested in joining us, please see the director to learn more about schedules and opportunities.