Music Ministry
About Our Music Program:
Brick Meetinghouse Singers and Ringers currently under the direction of Music Director, Kyle Trombley.
From mid-September to early June, choir rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings before worship, except on those Sundays the bell choir performs.
Handbell Choir rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., immediately after vocal choir rehearsals. The bell choir performs on average once a month and will rehearse at 9:00 a.m. the Sunday they are scheduled to play.
The choirs always welcome more voices and hands to sing and/or ring in the Vocal and/or Bell Choir at any level. If you can't commit for the whole year, please feel free to join us for a few weeks for the Holidays - we would love to have you!
About Our Music Director:
Growing up in the Monadnock Region, Kyle R. Trombley has been involved in the arts as a Collaborative Pianist, Vocalist and Organist. He currently attends Keene State College earning his degrees in both Music (B.A.), Computer Science (B.S.), a minor in French, and a part of the KSC Honors Program. His time at Keene State allows him to participate as a Student Collaborative Pianist, and perform in choral groups such as: Concert Choir, Vocal Consort (an early music chamber ensemble), and Opera Workshop. Kyle is also part of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), which are two collegiate groups on campus.
He has taken part in a variety of musical events ranging from talent shows, musicals, funerals, to the recent performance's at large venues such as Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House through The Honors Performance Series. He has been a part of the Regional All State and Jazz All State for both mixed choral ensembles. With his time at Keene State, he is involved with the KSC Concert Choir. Kyle has been involved performing in local halls and theatre's such as: Whitcomb Hall, The Old Homestead, The Colonial Theatre, and several other well known establishments in and around the Monadnock Region.
Kyle also has experience with musical direction in drama clubs, and performance choirs. He has served as a mentor for students in theatre as well as instrumentation throughout the years for both middle and high school levels. He also is a private piano instructor for beginning and intermediate piano. Kyle believes thoroughly in giving back to the community in return for the support that has been given to him.
He is honored to be Music Minister, and full time Music Director here at the First Congregational Church of Swanzey, and would like to thank all of his family, friends, as well as the church staff for all of their continuous support as he begins his third year with us at The First Congregational Church of Swanzey.
For more information about Kyle and his professional music experience, visit his website at: www.kyletrombleymusic.com
About Our Concerts:
The singers and ringers of the First Congregational Church of Swanzey perform two benefit concerts a year. We have additional singers, and instrumentalists that perform with us as well that range from all different ages and styles of music. Our two concerts comprise of a Holiday Benefit Concert performed in December and a Spring Benefit Concert in June. All of the musicians are volunteer, and musicians range from middle school to collegiate levels, which allows for them to take part in a great collaborative performing experience here at the church. Nurturing the growth of young musicians is something we continue to take pride in!
Our concerts are by donation, and all proceeds go directly towards the music program in the form of new music, refurbishment of our handbells, robe & folder repairs, piano tunings, organ maintenance, summer musicians, and other related costs that we encounter throughout the year. Every donation is crucial to keeping our music program at its highest level.
This year's benefit concert will be held on Sunday, December 18th at 2pm. Doors will open at 1:30pm. Donations will be gladly accepted at the door. We hope to see you there, for a wonderful afternoon of holiday music!
Questions about, or want to participate in the concert? Email our Director: ktrombley@swanzeyucc.org
Testimonials of Our Music Program:
"I love to sing as most people do. When I sing in church, I'm singing to God. It fills my soul with love, happiness and joy that I can share. Music to me in any form, is a gift from God that lifts our spirit and shows a beauty that only God can create." ~ Sandy Bryant
"[These] performances are great. Music in our community is a must! It is also a great way to give young performers a chance to play for an audience." ~ Anonymous
"Singing and music has been a part of my entire. It has been hard not to sing during COVID. The choir experience is the ultimate team experience that I hope the congregation enjoys. We have to listen to one another and try to make the music as of one." ~ Betty Tatro
"Singing at the First Congregational Church of Swanzey has given me a feeling of joy and peace. I have met new people by singing and performing in a spiritual setting. I am thankful for this opportunity that the church has given me." ~ Gail Parsons
"Being in the choir is a great joy. I am able to learn more about singing, and improve my ability to sing. It adds more joy to sing for God, as well as everyone else." ~ Jen Thompson