Music

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Our Adult Choir is open to all confirmed members of the congregation, and has a wide variety of ages represented.  Under the direction of Dr. Eifert, the choir sings for Sunday worship services on a regular basis as well as other services during Advent, Lent, Holy Week, and other festivals.  Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings.  Our repertoire, like our hymns, comes from across the ages of the Christian church and can range from unison to SATB settings.  Come join us!

 St. Michael's is blessed to have a wonderful handbell choir.  We play a five-octave set of bells, which means that there are bells enough for everybody.  The handbells appear in worship regularly; yes, you can be in both handbells and the Adult Choir!
Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings.  This group is also directed by Dr. Eifert.  Interested but inexperienced?  Come anyway, and we will happily show you how this is done. 

 
This group aids in worship, currently on a once a month basis. They lead our "contemporary"  late service held on the last Sunday of every month except July and August. It is open to anyone who wishes to use their gifts in music for the glory of God and under the direction of Mr. Charles Chaveriat. Generally speaking the group is made up of vocals, keyboards, guitars, and light drums. Additional instruments have been used and are welcome to join. This group practices on Thursday evenings which start at 8:00pm and generally last an hour or a little more if time is needed. If this is an area in which you feel you have an interest

 please come check us out. 

 The Festival Winds is an instrumental group that appears in worship throughout the year.  Made up of wind and percussion instruments, it includes musicians of all ages and experience levels.  Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings.  Repertoire includes hymn settings, brass and woodwind arrangements, and full ensemble works.

We always welcome more musicians to come play with us! You can join us at anytime! Contact Dr. Eifert for more information. 

 Students at St. Michael's receive exposure to instrumental music in general music classes throughout the lower grades, including a unit on recorder playing in fourth grade.  All fifth graders take beginning band, and then have the option of participating in the 6-8 advanced band.  Through individual, small-group, and full ensemble rehearsal settings, each child is encouraged to discover and use his God-given gifts to the fullest of his ability. 

 The fifth grade band rehearses weekly as an academic class during the school day.  It is during this year that students are instructed in the basics of tone production and ensemble participation, and develop practice habits that will serve them well in the future.  
     St. Michael's recognizes that there are possible financial concerns for fifth grade parents.  We do work in cooperation with Herter's Music Center in Bay City to assist with instrumental rentals, supplies, and repairs.  St. Michael's also has a limited number of instruments available for rent.  Contact Dr. Jon Eifert, Director of Music, for more information about this. 

  Following their first year, students in grades 6-8 may elect to continue in band are are combined into one large concert band.  These students continue to practice and expand their knowledge of musical fundamentals, both technically and musically.  The ensemble rehearses before school several times per week.  Students are given the opportunity for individual, small group, and large ensemble experiences throughout the year.  The band has consistently received high marks in the Lutheran Schools Music Festival held each spring.  The band is under the direction of Dr. Jon Eifert. 

 St. Michael's offers a Hand Chime Ensemble as an extra-curricular group in grades 5-8.  This ensemble rings in worship services as well as other events.  The group is made up of both beginning and experienced ringers who volunteer their time into making great music. The Hand Chime
​Ensemble also participates in the Lutheran School Music Festival and has received consistently high marks over the years.  This ensemble is directed by Dr. Jon Eifert.