First United Methodist Church Omaha NE

 

Music

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."--Victor Hugo
 
Choirs
The Chancel Choir is the main adult choir of First United Methodist Church, singing three Sundays a month for worship and at festival services and special occasions. Directed by Mark Kurtz and accompanied by Marie Meyers, the group does a wide variety of music, ranging from traditional art music (such as Bach, Mozart, etc.) to world music (such as South African freedom songs) to high-quality contemporary music (including styles such as jazz, gospel, etc.)  The choir has a special relationship with John Rutter; two of his choral compositions were written for the choir and premiered at First United Methodist Church, and another of his compositions (the "Gloria") was premiered by a former Director of the Chancel Choir, Mel Olson.  Everything the group sings is carefully coordinated with the worship services, and music that affirms the vision focus statement of the church is particularly emphasized.  Two or three times each year, the choir does an extended choral work with instrumentation; examples from the past few years include "Five Mystical Songs" by Ralph Vaughn Williams, "Christmas in the Southwest" by Conrad Susa, and John Rutter's "Magnificat."  The group is open to adults and high school students.  No special training is necessary; singing on-pitch and the ability to blend with others are the only requirements.  Rehearsals are Thursday evenings (from September through May) from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in Clark Rehearsal Hall.  For more information contact Mark Kurtz, Director of Music Ministries, at 556-6262, ext. 1021, or mark.kurtz@fumcomaha.org.
 
The Handbell Choir is also directed by Mark Kurtz.  It is open to adults and high school students and rings once a month for worship.  No previous knowledge or training in handbell ringing is required (other than an ability to count!); new members are given training when they join the group.  The bells consist of four octaves of Schulmeric Bells and two octaves of Choir Chimes.  Rehearsals are Thursday evenings (from September through May) from 6:00 to 7:00 in Clark Rehearsal Hall.  For more information contact Mark Kurtz, Director of Music Ministries, at 556-6262, ext. 1021, or e-mail him.
 
Hosanna and Youth Choirs
These choirs rehearse on Sundays.  Youth Choir rehearses from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in Clark Rehearsal Hall.  Hosanna Choir rehearses from 4:50-5:15 p.m. in room 208.  For a description of each choir and the age groups, contact Mark Kurtz, Director of Music Ministries (556-6262, extension 1021).
 
Zion Band
Zion Band is now being directed by Becky Jones.  We rehearse Sundays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  We are very fortunate to have awesome musicians in the youth program--three youth and two adults.  Zion plays every Sunday morning for the Youth Music/Gathering in Mead Chapel and once a month for the 10:50 worship service.  We have also performed for United Methodist Conference events like Youth Annual Conference and Rainbow Camp.  For more information,contact Becky Jones, Director (556-6262, extension 1005).
 
Becky Jones Membership Development & Youth Coordinator/Zion Band Director
Becky Jones, Director of Zion Band
Becky Jones is a multi-talented Director that has been with First United Methodist Church since 1998.  She not only directs the Zion Band, she is also the Director of Membership Development and Youth Coordinator for First United Methodist Church.  Becky has a Masters Degree in Music with an emphasis on Vocal Pedagogy.  She has performed in various roles in Omaha area theatre productions and has a private studio.
 
Mark Kurtz Director of Music MinistriesMark Kurtz, Director of Music Ministries
An award-winning composer and organist, Mark Kurtz has been Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church since the year 2000.  His education began at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he won a Chancellor's Award for Excellence and graduated as Outstanding Senior.  He continued his studies at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was twice named an Angell Scholar and graduated with highest honors.  Next, he studied at the University of Minnesota, where he branched out from his conservatory-style background and began to be involved in performance art, musical theater, and conducting.  His compositions have been performed across the United States, in Canada, and in Europe.  He has received many commissions for new work, from groups such as the American Guild of Organists and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  He regularly writes new pieces for the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir of First United Methodist Church; two CD's of his compositions, performed by the church choirs and with guest soloists and instrumentalists, have been produced.  Since 2001, Mark Kurtz has also been Music Director of the River City Mixed Chorus, Nebraska's only GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association) Chorus.

Wayne Moore, Director of Youth ChoirWayne Moore Director of Youth and Glorifier Choirs
E. Dwayne Moore (Wayne) brings to First United Methodist Church 19 years of music and youth ministry experience.  He approaches these ministries with excellence, integrity, and an even mixture of fervor and flair. 
Wayne also proudly serves as the Bass section leader for the FUMC Chancel Choir and is a member of the FUMC Handbell Choir.  Music is one of Wayne's passions and God has blessed him to be able to minister in music throughout the United States as well as in Guatemala, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, the Czech Republic, Holland, England, and Canada.
Wayne sings with the River City Mixed Chorus where he serves as the Musical Bass section leader.
Wayne came to Omaha to serve as the Interim Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha, and currently pastors Crossroads Community Fellowship, which holds Sunday evening worship at the Rainbow Outreach Center in downtown Omaha.  He has been in active ministry since 1989.
He is the proud parent of four.  He has two sons, Fernando and Sergio, and two daughters, Emilia and Kassandra.  He is also the legal guardian of his nephew, Willie.