Music and Fine Arts

The Music & Fine Arts ministry of John Wesley UMC is a diverse ministry that reaches out to each member of our congregation. Through various music, dance, instrumental, handbell, and drama groups, John Wesley provides ministry opportunities for every age from pre-school through adult.

We welcome participants at any time during the year; however, we concentrate on recruitment for our various age-level choirs during the month of August. During that time, we feature speakers during worship who tell of their love of music and what being a part of this ministry has meant in their lives. As we gear up for Fall, we also have available sign-up sheets for each age level during that month in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays and in the music office during the week.

Special music presentations during Lent, Advent, and other special times are the highlights of this active ministry. We welcome your questions and comments and invite you to participate with us as we lead through music each week.

For questions or more information regarding the Music & Fine Arts Ministry, contact Phil Hooper, Director of Music & Fine Arts.

OUR CHOIRS

ADULTS

Chancel Choir - Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room, A208

Men’s Ensemble - Sundays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room A208

Gospel Ensemble - Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Administration Bldg.

Instrumental Ensembles - Call Ann Roberts (281-376-5770), Ensemble Coordinator, for more information.

Angelus Bells - Sundays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Drama - meets as needed - Call Cora Byers (281-370-2693), Drama Coordinator, for information.

Senior John Wesley Players (Drama) - Call Carolyn Burnham (281-376-3792), Coordinator, for more information.

CHILDREN

Children’s Choirs (Sundays from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m., 2nd floor of the Administration Bldg.):

Carol (age 4 through Kindergarten)
Primary (1st & 2nd grade)
Junior (3rd through 5th grade)

Children’s Bells (Grades 3,4,5) - Sundays from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. in the Choir Room, A208

Children's Chimes - Sundays 4:00 to 4:45 p.m

Liturgical Movement (2nd through 5th grade) - Sundays 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

YOUTH

Youth Choir (6th through 12th grade) - Sundays from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Bells (4th through 7th grade w/previous bell experience - Sundays 4:00 to 4:45 p.m.

Liturgical Movement (6th through 12th grade) - Call the church office, 281-444-2112, for more information. Group formation and meeting time will be determined upon need.

Drama - Call the church office, 281-444-2112, office for more information.

Instrumental Ensembles - Call the church office, 281-444-2112, for more information.

MUSIC & FINE ARTS STAFF

Director of Music & Fine Arts/Organist - Philip A. Hooper

Phil has served as Director of Music & Fine Arts at John Wesley since 1988. The Music Ministry serves the diverse congregation we know as home. Through our age-appropriate choirs, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens, there is a place for everyone at John Wesley UMC who enjoys music.

Phil received his Bachelor of Music degree with emphasis in voice performance having made his solo debut with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony while still in High School. Additional studies include work with such choral greats as Donald Nuen, Joseph Flummerfelt, Michael Korn, and Maurice Casey.

Pianist - Judith Nelson

Judith has a B.S. degree in Education and a B.M. degree in Piano Performance. She studied piano at San Houston State University with Dr. John Paul and Dr. Clive Swansbourne. Organ studies were with Dr. Alan Strong.

She plays piano and organ at John Wesley and accompanies the Chancel Choir. Other duties include assisting the Director of Music & Fine Arts as needed.

Director of Fine Arts Academy - Jean Galloway

Jean received both her Bachelor of Music Education and Master off Music degrees from the University of Houston, where her emphasis was on piano, voice, and conducting. She retired from public school teaching in 2004 after many successful years of high school choral directing, including the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and 22 years as head choral director at Westfield High School.

Jean joined the music staff of John Wesley UMC in April of 2005 as the Coordinator of Children's Music, Coordinator of the Fine Arts Academy, and director of the Men's Ensemble. Under her direction, the Children's Choirs present a musical at Christmas and during the summer Fine Arts Week. Jean also teaches voice and piano for the Fine Arts Academy.

Director of Children's Music - Lisa Trewin