Music Ministry
Rideau Park has opportunities for choral singing for all age groups: children, youth, and adult/intergenerational. In addition, we have handbell choirs for adults. Youth handbells and chimes (children) may resume in 2025 if there is sufficient interest. Drumming has been a recent addition in our services. If you have any questions or would like to become involved in any of our music programs, please email Iain Macpherson at choirdirector@rideaupark.ca.
Chancel Choir is an adult choir that enhances the worship experience by singing hymns and anthems during Sunday morning worship services. Special choral concerts in the fall, Christmas and spring are also common. The choir is not auditioned and rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9pm, September to May. For more information on our Singers/Soloists who further enhance the music on Sunday mornings, click here.
Joyful Noise Choir is a children’s choir for students in grades 2 and up. They meet on Tuesdays from 5:45-6:30pm to practice making music together as a group while learning basic rhythm and note reading skills. They usually perform at Christmas and Easter and for various family-related events.
Cherub Choir, for children 6 years and under, meet on Thursdays from 6-6:30pm. They learn secular (e.g. Baby Bumble Bee) and religious songs (e.g. Jesus Loves Me). They also use rhythm instruments and learn basic note values.
Drums Alive! is a weekly, multi-generational drop-in Drum Circle who meet every Thursday at 5pm. It is open to the community of Alta Vista and new members can join at any point. A class schedule is sent to participants via an email list. We focus on basic skills, Ghanaian drumming patterns (West Africa), and call and response songs. We may be invited to give a presentation as part of a worship service or musical event at the church.
MAD Fun! or Music, Art and Drama Fun! is a future program for tweens and teens (grades 5 and up) that may start up in 2025 and will be a fun-filled hour of indoor play and theatre games. Contact Iain Macpherson if you are interested in this program or have any questions.
The Rideau Park United Church music library consists of over 450 choral titles, with multiple copies of each work. The repertoire includes sacred, secular, ancient, and modern arrangements in unison, 2, 3 and 4 part settings. To see a list of available pieces, please visit the Ottawa Choral Lending Library. We do loan music (for a small fee) for use; if interested, please contact Iain Macpherson.
Music Ministry Coordinator: Iain Macpherson, choirdirector@rideaupark.ca.
Handbell Choirs
For more information on the handbells and chimes choirs, click here.
Ager Productions
For more information, see New Opera Lyra.