The choir rehearsing in the sanctuary at Edmonton Central

Every Sabbath

Music Ministry

Choir, praise team, instrumentalists and soloists. The team that carries the sung worship of this congregation, week after week, and rehearses on Friday so Sabbath sounds like it should.

What Music Ministry is

Adventist worship has always leaned on congregational singing. Music ministry exists so that the sung portion of a service is prepared rather than improvised, and so that people with musical gifts have somewhere to use them in the service of the congregation.

At Edmonton Central this covers the choir, the praise team, special music, instrumentalists and accompanists. Rehearsal for the Sabbath service takes place on Friday evening, and choir practice runs on Sabbath.

This is a multicultural congregation, and the music reflects it. What is sung here comes from more than one tradition, which is one of the more honest things about a Sabbath morning in this building.

What this looks like here

ChoirRegular practice and singing for Sabbath worship. New voices are genuinely welcome.

Praise teamLeading the congregation in the sung portion of the Divine Service.

Special musicSoloists and small groups through the year.

InstrumentalistsAccompanists and instrumental musicians supporting worship.

Friday rehearsalPreparation for the Sabbath service, 7:00 PM.

Many traditionsMusic drawn from the several cultures represented in this congregation.

Common questions

Can I join the choir?

Yes. Speak to Orville Ferris or contact the church office. You do not need to read music to be useful.

When does the choir practise?

Choir practice runs on Sabbath, and rehearsal for the service is Friday evening at 7:00 PM.

I play an instrument. Is there a place for me?

Very likely. Contact the office and tell us what you play.

Can my child take part?

Speak to the music coordinator. Children take part in music at Edmonton Central, particularly around special programmes.

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Go deeper

These are the official resources this ministry draws on. Everything below is free to read, and worth it if you are stepping into this work or simply want to understand it properly.

Music Coordinator Ministry DescriptionWhat the role involves, written by the church. AdventSource has no separate quick start guide for music, so this is the official role document. Music Committee Ministry DescriptionHow a church music committee is meant to work, and who sits on it. NAD Worship ResourcesWorship and music resources from the North American Division ministerial department.

Get involved with Music Ministry

Speak to Orville Ferris or the church office and we will point you to the right person. Everyone starts somewhere.

Call 780-420-0215 Contact the office All ministries

The singing groups

Sung worship here does not come from one ensemble. The adult choir is led by Napoleon and the children’s choir by Shirani Daniel. Alongside them a number of smaller groups sing through the year, and several carry the languages and musical traditions of the people who formed them: Lighthouse, Renewed and Central 4 Him, together with the Ethiopian, South Asian and Rwandan groups.

Lily Kids and the Aurora Borealis Adventurer Club have also led music at church events.

Music Ministry as a whole is coordinated by Orville Ferris. Rehearsal for the Sabbath service is Friday evening at 7:00 PM, and choir practice runs on Sabbath. New voices and instrumentalists are genuinely welcome, and you do not need to audition to ask.

What kind of music will I hear on a Sabbath morning?

Congregational singing, the choir or praise team leading the sung portion of the Divine Service, and special music from soloists or one of the groups. Because this is a multicultural congregation, what is sung comes from more than one tradition rather than a single style.

Can I join if I do not read music?

Yes. Contact the church office on 780-420-0215 or ecsdacoffice@gmail.com and you will be put in touch with the right group.