Singing is a vehicle for prayer. Since the earliest days of the Church, congregational song has been an essential element of the Christian worship experience. Our congregation sings old and new hymns, spiritual songs, and other music to enrich our common worship. While choirs and instruments play significant roles in worship, congregational song is central.
Idlewild Choir supports and enhances congregational song. It also offers choral music to deepen the worship experience. The choir’s repertoire is drawn from a broad spectrum of the Church’s musical heritage, including Renaissance polyphony, psalms, spirituals, and folk songs, as well as modern compositions. A traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols is presented each Christmas Eve and other special services and concerts occur throughout the year. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:30 – 9 pm.
Join us for a delightful summer choir experience! This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals of all ages, including high school students and older, to come together and enjoy making music in a relaxed and informal setting. We practice at 9:15 am on Sundays (through June 30.)
Each week, worship begins with a peal that calls us to a worshipful place. They often enhance congregational song and choral music with their ringing. Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 5:30 – 7 pm.
Cherub Choir: JK-1st Grade (must be 4 yrs old by September 1)
Primary Choir: 2nd-6th Grade (must be 7 yrs old by September 1)
As part of Woven Wednesdays, this fall the children will be preparing a Christmas Musical to present during Advent. Additionally, the children will take part in leading worship on Children’s Sunday on October 20th at 11 AM. Music is such a formative part of a child’s faith journey, and we hope you will join us! Sign-up through Realm.
Festival of Choirs Concert | September 14 | 2 PM
This Concert will be the culmination of a two day choral festival led in partnership with the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and the Idlewild Music Ministry. The Festival chorus will present stirring anthems of the faith. Make plans to join us!
Organ Recital – Isabelle Demers | November 10 | 5 PM
With playing described as having “bracing virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review) and being “fearless and extraordinary” (Amarillo-Globe News), organist Isabelle Demers has enraptured critics, presenters, and audience members around the globe for her entrancing performances. A native of Québec and a doctoral graduate of the Juilliard School, Dr. Demers is Associate Professor of Organ at McGill University (Montréal, Québec). She was formerly the Joyce Bowden Chair in Organ and Head of the Organ Program at Baylor University (Waco, Texas).
Children’s Choir Musical | December 8 | 9:30 AM | TK Young
The Music Ministry proudly presents “Room for Christmas”, a Christmas musical led by our children’s choirs. Join us on Waffle Sunday to celebrate the season with our young choristers!
Festival of Christmas Concert | December 13 | 7 PM | Sanctuary
Join us for the second annual Festival of Christmas Concert at Idlewild! This concert will feature the Chancel Choir, Handbell Ensemble, and guest orchestra as we celebrate the season through music. Make plans to bring friends and family, and come early!
Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols | December 24 | 5:30 PM
You are invited to experience the beauty of music and scripture in this candlelight Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols led by our Chancel Choir and Handbells.
Sanctuary Organ
Primary among the organ’s roles is that of supporting congregational song while its colorful palette allows for an eclectic repertoire to be successfully presented.
The current sanctuary organ was installed in 1988 by the Bedient Pipe Organ Company. A detailed stop list of the instrument can be found online.
Carillon
Idlewild possesses the only carillon in Memphis – the largest musical instrument in the Mid-South. It is housed in an English gothic stone tower which rises majestically 120 feet above the church’s sanctuary. Its forty-eight bronze bells were cast at the Paccard-Fonderie de Cloches in Annecy, France. They range in weight from 29 to 4,397 pounds, totaling more than 26,890 pounds.
