Music

Find connection through music, friendship, and a shared practice of faith. The FUMC Austin Choir brings volunteer and professional musicians together to help lead worship through song. Weekly rehearsals offer time to learn, grow, and prepare music that gives voice to the congregation’s prayer and praise. If you are curious about singing with us, contact  Scott.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30PM, and Sundays, 10:15AM
Worship: Sundays at 11:00AM, with additional opportunities on special Sundays and holidays
Contact: Scott Davis, Director of Music Ministries.

Love to sing but need a shorter commitment? Festival and Summer Choir offer opportunities to make music and build connections when your schedule allows.

Festival Choir gathers for special Sundays and seasons, including All Saints, Advent, Christmas, and Easter. With rehearsals beginning two to three weeks before each occasion, you can participate in a particular celebration without making an ongoing commitment.

Summer Choir offers a simpler rhythm in July and August, with rehearsals on Sunday mornings before 11:00AM worship. Come when you are able; you do not need to sing every week.

Festival rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30PM, and Sundays, 8:15AM, before designated services
Summer rehearsals: Sundays, 10:15–10:55AM
Contact: Scott Davis, Director of Music Ministries.

Discover what we can create when each person brings a part of the music. Our new Handbell Ensemble gathers weekly to learn, practice, and joyfully prepare music to share in worship. Whether you have rung before or are trying handbells for the first time, you are invited. No experience is necessary; we will teach you!

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:45–6:45PM
Location: Family Life Center, Room 111
Interested? Use the interest form below to let us know.

Instrumentalists who desire to offer their talents in Sanctuary worship are invited to contact Scott Davis, Director of Music and Organist, at scott@fumcaustin.org or 512-478-5684, ext. 209.

Do you play an instrument? Sharing your music can deepen your own connection to worship and help others encounter God through beauty, reflection, and joy. Contact Scott to explore opportunities to offer your gifts, whether on a particular Sunday or for a special service.

Contact: Scott Davis, Director of Music Ministries.

Children discover the joy of making music together as they sing, play instruments, and explore faith. Along the way, they build friendships, learn musical skills, and discover how their gifts can help lead our community in worship. The Children’s Choir shares music in worship and prepares an annual musical.

Rehearsals: Sundays, 9:45–10:05AM, during the school year
Contact: Roxie Garza, Director of Children’s Choir

Share your musical gifts in worship that makes room for curiosity and connection. The Modern Worship Band helps lead our monthly Modern Worship service, bringing contemporary music into conversation with scripture, reflection, and the life of our community. If you sing or play an instrument and would like to explore joining the band, contact Devon to learn more.

Worship: Third Sundays at 11:00AM
Contact: Devon Bailey, Modern Worship Coordinator

The first organ on record was built in 1928 by Henry Pilcher’s Sons (Op. 1439 – 3 manuals /33 ranks) of Louisville, Kentucky. In 1969, a new instrument was built by Otto Hofmann (3 manuals – 65 ranks) of Austin, Texas. Four stops or ranks (sets of pipes) and their wind chests were retained by Hofmann from the 1928 Pilcher organ, those being a large scale 16′ Open Wood, a 16′ and 8′ Stopped Wood, and a 16′ Gedeckt in the pedal division. By 2010, these stops (from 1928) were barely functional, and the Hofmann organ was becoming more and more mechanically unreliable. The console (or keyboards and stops), having had several alterations over the years, including the addition of a SSL combination action, was also failing. 

In 2010, a large gift was given to First Church to begin an organ fund to either rebuild or replace the Hofmann organ. Over the next several years this fund grew, and in 2014, a large gift was given by an FUMC family and over $100,000 was raised by the congregation. At this point, a contract was signed with R.A. Colby, Inc. of Johnson City, Tennessee to begin “Phase I” of two phases to rebuild, enlarge, and revoice the Hofmann organ, essentially creating a new instrument. 

Phase I involved: 

The new R.A. Colby instrument now has the equivalent of 100 ranks and was premiered in a concert by Ken Cowan on May 31, 2015.