Choirs

Come Worship God With Music

ADULT CHOIRS

Chancel Choir

Directed by Molly Schmit and accompanied by Pam Penner, this vocal choir is for all adults, college-age and up. They rehearse Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m.  in the Choir Room. The Chancel Choir sings almost every Sunday at one or more Worship Services. The Chancel Choir sings a wide variety of styles and once a month they enjoy refreshments together after rehearsal.

New singers are always welcome!


Men's Choir

The Men's Choir is for all men ages 18 and older.  This choir is directed by Molly Schmit and accompanied by Pam Penner.  They sing approximately two Sundays per year.  The men rehearse on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room.  They rehearse for two weeks preceding the Sunday in which they are scheduled to sing.  This choir requires little commitment for those with busy schedules that still enjoy singing in a choir.

 

Women's Choir

The Women's Choir is for all women ages 18 and older.  Molly Schmit directs the Women's Choir and Pam Penner is the accompanist.  This choir is for those that enjoy singing but don't want a weekly commitment.  They rehearse the two Thursdays preceding the Sunday in which they are scheduled to sing.  Rehearsals are at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room.  The women sing approximately two Sundays per years.

 


YOUTH CHOIRS

Antiphonal Choir

Under the direction of Tena Whiston, this choir is for children in 3rd through 6th grades. They rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 in the Huxtable Lounge. They sing about once a month in Worship. Patty Niemann is the accompanist for this choir.  They have a fabulous repertoire and use musical intruments with many of their pieces.  Come experience the joy of making music and worshipping God.

 

Carillon Choir

This choir, comprised of Middle School and Senior High singers, is directed by Molly Schmit. They rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. Pam Penner is the accompanist. The Carillon Choir usually sing twice a month at one or more morning Worship Services.   This choir continues to grow.  The have a varied repertoire, that greatly appeals to the young singers. Come and join the great musical experience and fellowship.

 

Cherub Choir

This choir is for children in Kindergarten through 2nd grades. They rehearse at 6:30 p.m. in Room 4, and sing about once a month at one in Worship.  They have lot of fun learning about the importance of music in worship and sing a variety of styles.   The children enjoy great music making and fellowship.

 

The 2009 - 2010 Choir Schedule is now online.

 

 

Meet the Staff

Molly Schmit - Director of Music

Molly Schmit is the Director of Music at Eastridge Presbyterian Church.  Molly was born and raised in Hastings, Nebraska.  Music has played a major role in her life.  Growing up in a very musical family it was easy to learn to love music and hard to imagine life without it.

Molly graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.  She was very active in the University Choir, Opera Workshop, Musicals and Operas, and Jazz Band.  While attending Wesleyan, Molly was employed as a scholarship soloist at St. Paul United Methodist Church.  This was her first opportunity to work in music ministry and she enjoyed it very much.  She made her vocal debut 1995 as a soloist at Lincoln Center in New York City.

In 1998, Molly moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she pursued a music career.  After many wonderful years in Nashville, she embarked on a new adventure to Minneapolis, Minnesota.  In Minneapolis, she discovered a passion for Early Childhood Music Education. Molly received her Early Childhood Music Certification through "Musikgarten" in June 2002. In the summer of 2002, Molly, and her family decided to move back to the "Good Life" - Nebraska.  Molly joined the Eastridge Music Staff in August 2002, teaching the Joyful Noise Hand Chime Choir and Heavenly Echoes Hand Bell Choir and the Cherub Choir.  In May of 2003, Molly started a new Music Ministry at Eastridge entitled http://mollysmusik.com Molly's Musik.  Molly's Musik is an Early Childhood Music and Movement Program for all children in the community, ages newborn through 7 years old and their caregivers.

Molly became the Director of Music at Eastridge in December of 2004.  Since the first moment she began working in the music ministry at Eastridge, she knew this was her calling.  By becoming the Director of Music, it is even more evident that God truly answers prayers.  It has been a blessing and delight to lead the music ministry at Eastridge.  Molly is thrilled to be directing the Chancel Choir, the Cherub Choir, the Eastridge Brass, the Harmony Ringers, the Joyful Noise Hand Chime Choir and many other special ensembles and choirs.  She looks forward to sharing her musical gifts with Eastridge and bringing new light and life to the music ministry.

When Molly's not directing and teaching music at Eastridge Presbyterian Church, she spends every moment with her son, Chandler - 7 and daughters, Eden - 5 and Ava - 3 years old and her husband, Travis.  Being "mom" is her favorite thing to do.  They love spending family time.  Children are such a wonderful gift from God.   Music and children - are her two life long passions.

 

Praise the LORD, for the Lord is good;  sing to his name, for he is gracious.  Psalm 135:3

 

 

Pamela Penner - Organist

Playing the organ is Pam's all-time favorite thing to do!  She finds it relaxing, is uplifting, and at times can make her forget every other problem I have as she struggles to learn and master a new piece!  It involves her mind,  entire body, and her spirit.  She hopes you find her music a blessing, and an extension of her soul.

Pam has not always been an organist.  Being born and raised in rural Nebraska, there was not much opportunity to pursue the study of pipe organ or great music.  She began on the piano, and when their small church purchased a spinet organ, she was informed that she could play it for services (no lessons, no knowledge - just play!).  And so she did my best for many years.  She was what "real organists" refer to as a shoes off, one footed pedaling organist!  But it was all for the glory of God.

She studied music for two years at Crown College in Minnesota.  Marriage and a family halted her formal education for many years, but after her youngest son graduated from high school, she was encouraged to go back and finish degree.  Pam received a Bachelor of Music, with an emphasis in organ performance in 2001 from the University of Nebraska. 

Since moving to Lincoln in 1985, she has studied organ either privately or through a degree program, and she continues to study.  She thinks it keeps her playing and ministry fresh and alive.  It is her passion!

Pam also enjoys her family.  She and husband Paul like to take "mini" vacations around the state to discover more of the "Good Life".  They also enjoy visits from our three sons and their families.  They have four granddaughters that keep them very busy when they are around.  They live on an acreage west of Lincoln, and very much enjoy the country life.

 

 

Tena Whiston - Assistant Music Director

In 1976, Tena embarked on a Master's degree in Music History at The Ohio State University.  During this time, Tena enjoyed teaching undergraduate classes in music history and playing in a recorder consort.  Upon completion of the Master's degree, Tena began to teach elementary music in the Hilliard City School District.  It was a very successful experience for the children and for Tena.  After three years, Columbus decided to implement magnet schools and eliminate all of the arts from the public school system, a fact that still remains today.  Tena was lucky enough to be offered a full assistantship at The Ohio State University to pursue a Doctorate in Music Education.  Tena enjoyed teaching the elementary music methods classes for the undergraduate elementary education majors while she worked on her dissertation. 

In 1986, Tena was hired at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln to teach classes in elementary music methods, preschool music, and working with exceptional children.  She worked with both undergraduate and graduate students.  This was a most wonderful job, because Tena was able to work with young people who loved music and had a passion for working with children along with traveling and presenting numerous music education workshops around this country and abroad.

In 1989, when her son, Ross, was born, Tena's life seemed to be heading in a different direction.  Tena accepted a position with the Lincoln Public Schools to teach elementary vocal music.  Currently, Tena teaches at Beattie elementary and works with kindergarten through fifth grade students.  They are an awesome group of young people!

In 2002, Tena became the director of the Antiphonal Choir here at Eastridge Church.  This choir is composed of students in grades three through six. The choir sings approximately once a month during the regular worship services and shares a musical with the congregation every other year.  Tena is very thankful to have this opportunity to share the joy of music with so many talented young people and to grow in her music ministry.