The Folk of Note

The “Folk of Note” are Kamloops United Church’s choir, led by Mary Jackson.

The choir meets on Thursday evenings, beginning at 6 with the tenors and basses, then around 7pm the Altos and Sopranoes arrive and they have a joint practice.

The choir offers music leadership during worship Sunday mornings, as well as gifting us with an anthem in the theme of our worship.  The main accompanying instruments are piano and organ, but we also occasionally have flute, trumpet, cello, violin and/or drums.  Rhythm instruments sometimes find their way into our music, too.  As well as choir anthems we sometimes have duets, quartets or solos.

Our congregation is one that loves to sing.  As a result, we have “hymn sing” each Sunday before our 10am worship formally begins.  It is not only a time to sing together, but a time to request your favourite hymn.  So come early, find your hymn in the hymnbook(s) and be ready to let the sing leader know the number of our choice.

The Folk of Note are found “out and about” in the community as well as at KUC.

If you would like to join the choir when they re-group after the summer, contact the church office.

Handbells and Chimes at KUC:  

KUC has had handbells as a regular part of Sunday worship and community outreach since 1997.  We are blessed to have two handbell choirs and a small Ensemble group. Harmony in Hand directed by Karen McClelland is for newer ringers.  Bells of Note, directed by June Routledge is for experienced ringers who enjoy the challenge of more advanced techniques.

The Chimers are a recent addition to our Music Ministry.  These energetic and enthusiastic special needs adults rehearse weekly and have performed in Christmas and Spring concerts as well as participating in worship services at KUC.  Their director is Karen McClelland.

Each group rehearses weekly at Kamloops United Church

Harmony in Hand on Monday afternoons from 4 – 6 pm

The Chimers on Monday early evenings from 6 – 7 pm

Bells of Note on Monday evenings from 7 – 9 pm.

Ensemble Group on Thursday afternoons from 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Community Out-Reach

You can hear these bell choirs not only monthly at KUC, but also throughout the year within Kamloops and the surrounding area.  Watch this page for up-coming events!

Some highlights of past years – guest performances with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Thompson Valley Community Orchestra, and Kamloops Choristers.  We have also performed Christmas Concerts at the Sun Peaks Delta Resort Hotel, various Seniors Residences, I.O.D.E  Provincial Conference, and several churches in New Westminster, Surrey, Abbotsford and here in Kamloops.

To Join Us:

Handbell ringing is truly a delightful way to share music, camaraderie, and our faith journey.  Whether you are a new or experienced ringer, a member of KUC or not, we invite you to experience the music, fun, frustrations, fun, laughter, fun and the pure enjoyment that ringing handbells can bring.  There is a place for you!

If you are interested in Handbell ringing or playing handchimes, especially as an expression of your faith – this is an opportunity to do so in the local community and beyond. Please contact either June  or Karen through webminister@kamloopsunited.ca or the Church Office.

Music Development

As a part of regular continuing music development, members of both handbell choirs participate in Provincial Handbell Guild Conferences as well as National  and International Handbell Festivals.  Some members are widely travelled attending workshops in Winnipeg, Toronto, Hawaii, London (Ont), Calgary, Edmonton, Liverpool and even a handbell cruise in the Caribbean!

Coming soon, May 17 & 18, 2013, we are hosting the Provincial Guild Spring Ring at Thompson Rivers University.  Clinicians are coming from as far away as Ontario.  To date, over 75 ringers are registered for two days of workshops and concerts.  The public is invited to join us Friday evening May 17 in the Grand Hall at TRU from 8:30 to 9:15 p.m.  At this concert a variety of bell choirs and smaller groups will be featured.  Our Showcase Concert, Bells in Bloom is Saturday evening May 18 at 7:00 p.m., also in the Grand Hall at TRU.  Massed choirs directed by guest conductors will present a variety of pieces including spirituals and folk songs.  Admission to each of the concerts is by donation.

“With an anticipated 100 bell ringers in attendance, these concerts will provide the public an opportunity to ENJOY handbells amplified!”

For more pictures of the handbell ringers, see our Photo page.