Music at Westminster
Welcome to the Westminster community! Whatever your taste or experience, you are invited to participate in the exciting music programs here at historic Westminster. We welcome everyone, from professional to amateur, from young to old, from new to experienced. Westminster's music staff hopes that we can help you become part of the excellence in our music department.
Westminster's Romanesque-Byzantine building (modeled after Istanbul's famous Hagia Sophia and listed on the National Register of Historic Places) is home to a number of fine musical keyboards: a 50-rank Möller pipe organ, a portative pipe organ, a harpsichord, two grand pianos (Steinway "B" and Yamaha 7'), and an ornate 1904 two-manual, full pedal reed (electrified-pump) organ (chapel). The classical sanctuary space is graced with ideal acoustis and is a favorite venue for concerts, recitals, Music At Noon, and lectures.
Consider our musical opportunities:
Music at Noon
At the sound of Westminster's towering carillon, every Wednesday at 12:00 Noon the downtown community is summoned to another high-quality, FREE Music at Noon concert in the church's unique Romanesque-Byzantine sanctuary. A wide variety of music is presented, including: classics, jazz, pops, Broadway, opera, folk, grand pipe organ, piano, and world-music. Bring your bag lunch and enjoy a moment of serenity as you listen to the talented artists from Greater Sacramento. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated so our artists can be paid an honorarium. Contact Brad Slocum for program or audition information.
The Westminster Choir
In four-part harmony, the Choir leads the congregation in singing hymns, and illuminates the focus of each worship service with anthems ancient to modern, classical to contemporary. Contact Peter Hill.
The Westminster Ringers
Handbell ringing is a unique musical art that has grown in popularity worldwide. The choir comprises players each ringing a handful of bells combining to play several octaves of notes. Contact Peter Hill.
Praise Band
Singing and performing on instruments both acoustic and electric, the Praise Band leads the congregation of the Contemporary Worship Service in jazz and folk-based Christian music. Contact Matt McFarland.