“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:18b-20
Music at Northmont seeks to give praise and thanks to the Triune God in all times and seasons. Our musical worship is traditional but varied in both era and genre, and includes hymnody, psalmody, spirituals, Taizé, and a wide range of vocal and instrumental music.
Opportunities to be involved in special music ministries are listed below.
Chancel Choir
Chancel Choir leads worship most Sundays and Holy Days during the program year. These dedicated volunteer and staff singers work diligently to present excellent choral literature in a wide variety of styles and genres. The choir is open to anyone – church members and community members alike – ages Ninth Grade or older. All that is needed is a pleasing voice and the ability to read music. Chancel Choir practices Thursday evenings at 6:30 and Sunday mornings at 9:15. To arrange an interview, please contact Stephen Schall at the church office.
Bell Choir
The Bells – adult handbell choir – from grade 9 on up rings traditional English handbells. This ensemble plays at numerous worship services and special events throughout the year. New members are always welcome. You should be able to read music, and instructions will be given to you so you can properly learn the technique of playing the handbells. Rehearsals are held every Thursday beginning at 4:30 p.m. during the program year.
Staff Singers
Chelsea Cockburn, soprano
Originally from Virginia, Chelsea is the daughter of two professional opera singers. In addition to singing at Northmont, she sings in the Pittsburgh Compline Choir, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, and Voces Solis. Chelsea is a pediatrician in Fox Chapel, and loves gardening, cross-stitching, and hiking. She lives in the North Hills with her partner, Douglas Burn, a professional pianist and organist, and their two Boston Terriers, Winston and Kirby.
Kym Weston Laret, mezzo-soprano
Kym is delighted to sing at Northmont. She has performed throughout the greater Pittsburgh area with groups such as the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Opera, and the Pittsburgh Savoyards. She is currently a bridal alterations specialist, as well as the First Hand in the costume shop at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Rob Frankenberry, tenor (on leave for fall 2024)
Robert Frankenberry enjoys a multi-faceted relationship with music as a singer, pianist, conductor, orchestrator, director, and occasionally as a composer, performing extensively throughout the Pittsburgh area and the nation. He has served on the coaching and accompanying staff at Seton Hill, Duquesne, Carnegie Mellon, and Point Park; the voice faculty at Mercyhurst and Point Park; and the Theatre Arts faculty at the University of Pittsburgh.
Huck Beard, tenor (fall 2024)
Huck Beard has performed with Voces Solis, Mendelssohn Choir, Resonance Works, Pittsburgh Opera, St. Vincent Camerata, and other groups in the Pittsburgh area. By day, he is Creative Director and photographer at Pittsburgh Magazine; by night, he is a novelist, editor, and aspiring sfoglino (pasta master).
Matt Dooley, bass
Matt Dooley has been an active member of the Bach Choir and the Mendelssohn Choir in Pittsburgh, and had an exciting career as an operatic and concert baritone, singing waiter, member of a bluegrass band, and in many roles in musical theater productions. Matt retired as a non-profit executive, consultant, and board member with such organizations as Pittsburgh Opera and Young Audiences in Philadelphia. Matt lives in the North Hills with his wife, artist Meg Dooley, and sundry animal pets.
Instrumentalists
Do you play a musical instrument? Instrumentalists are always welcome to play solo anthems or play with others in ensemble combinations during the worship service.