Music and Arts

 
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Musical Groups

There are multiple choirs and two instrumental ensembles at Northaven and a history of strong congregational singing and participation in worship. The presence of several professional church musicians in the congregation (including a nationally renowned composer) makes for interesting variety in our church music. The Methodist heritage of lively hymn singing is carried on proudly at Northaven.

Musical groups to which you can attach yourself and make music include:

  • Adult Choir — A choir for adults and mature youth. Rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:15 pm in the Choir Room.
  • The Joyful Noise — An orchestra for adult and high school players. Rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in Room 237.
  • Music Makers — A choir for children in grades K-6 whose primary goal is singing, but who also have the opportunity to play instruments and bells. Rehearses on Sundays from 9:00 am to 9:30 am in Room 250.
  • Ringlieders — Handbell choir for adults. Rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm in the Choir Room.
  • Movement Choir — For adult men and women who perform liturgical dance several times a year. Rehearsals on Saturdays at 2:00 pm.

Northaven's musical philosophy is one of diversity both of people and of style, and there is room for everyone!. There are also opportunities to participate on a short-term basis, if your schedule requires it or you so desire. We would love to have you share your gifts.

Music Leaders

  • Minister of Music and the Arts, and Director of Adult Choir and Handbells: Valinda Woods O'Connor
  • Organist: Andrew Packard
  • Orchestra Director: Carl Parker
  • Children’s Choir Director: Stephanie MCranie
  • Movement Choir Choreographer/Director: Jerry Bywaters Cochran
  • Composer in Residence: Jane Marshall
  • Jane and Elbert Marshall Concert Series Chair: Casey Carter

The Roy Redman Organ

One of Northaven's treasures is the pipe organ in the sanctuary. Built in 1973 by the Fort Worth organ builder, Roy Redman, it is one of the finest small organs in the city. The money for the organ was raised by Winkie Stroube and many members of the congregation participated in its construction and transport. Enhanced with additional stops and electric action, the organ was reinstalled in Northaven's new sanctuary in February 2006.

The Arts

Artwork

There is a great deal of liturgical art throughout the church. A small but powerful sculpture of Christ emerging from the tomb by the prominent local artist, Henri Bartsch, sits a table just in the Atrium. The altar table, pulpit, and part of the organ case were all created by the same artist and were a gift to the church from Jarrott and Anna Marie Harkey. As part of the move to our new sanctuary Ben Marshall created a lectern to match these furnishings. Paintings by Northaven members Joan Hogge, Wini Lynn and Gay Solomon are also displayed in the church. A group of liturgical artists called the “Theological Threads” creates all kinds of fabric art for our worship in the sanctuary. The newest addition to the Northaven art collection is the wood carving of the Last Supper. It was given to the church in August of 1997 to honor the 5th anniversary of Linda Brown's ministry.

The Methodist Heritage Banners

Another set of treasures is found in the Sanctuary Gallery. In the midst of our new and modern sanctuary, you will find banners depicting Methodism's history from its roots in 18th century England to the present. The explanatory paragraphs underneath each banner were written by the late Albert C. Outler, one of the greatest of all John Wesley scholars and a former member of Northaven. They were designed by J'Ann Pybas and made by a group of more than two dozen members in 1984 to celebrate the bicentennial of Methodism in America. View a PowerPoint presentation on the banners.