Celebrating & Sharing Our Spiritual Gifts
At Central, we cherish the traditional music and hymns that celebrate God’s love, power, and assurance. While all members are able to enjoy the heavenly sounds and sing along as a part of our congregation, we have an extensive worship arts program for those who wish to become more involved.
Regular Music Rehearsal Schedule at Central:
Thursday rehearsal schedule for the adult musical groups is as below:
> Celebration Ringers: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
> Chancel Choir: 7:15 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Children’s Choir (K-3rd) will have their music time with Mr. Taemin Han in the choir room from 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (except for Communion Sundays)
There will be no Joyful Noise (4th - 6th) activities this year, so anyone in that age group who wants to join the Children’s Choir will be welcomed.
Chancel Choir
The Central Reformed Chancel Choir meets Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. for rehearsal and sings almost every Sunday during the choir season—from early September (post-Labor Day) to Pentecost Sunday each year.
Jesus Child and Gloria showcase the talent and passion of the Chancel Choir in worshipping our Lord.
Celebration Ringers
Our adult bell choir, known as the Celebration Ringers, meets every Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for rehearsal and performs at various worship services throughout the church year (including high festival days such as Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday). They currently perform with four octaves of Schulermich handbells and three octaves of Malmark handchimes.
Children’s Choir
In our children’s choir, children from kindergarten through 3rd grade can come together to enjoy reading music, singing, and playing instruments after the service on Sundays. They present their musical gifts during service about once per month during the choir season.
Joyful Noise
Children in 4th through 6th grade can learn music reading skills while singing and playing xylophones, chimes, and handbells in an ensemble. During the choir year 2024-2025, this group children will join the Children’s Choir in musical activities.
Community Concert Series
We have a long history of hosting professional musicians and performers, all open and free to church members and our Greater Grand Rapids community. From the works of Beethoven and Bach to Morricone and Desmessieux, you can hear our sanctuary has been blessed with joyous sounds over the years.
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Central's Chancel Choir with local guest singers and a chamber orchestra will present a concert on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 4 p.m. The program will highlight the Music of Vienna in the classical period (late 18th through the early 19th century) featuring W.A. Mozart, J. Haydn, and F. Schubert. The program will include Haydn's Organ Concerto, Hob. XVIII:8 in C Major, Trumpet Concerto, Hob. VIIe:1 in E-flat Major, and Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo, Hob. XXII:7 in B-flat Major (Little Organ Mass) under the direction of Central's Director of Music Ministries, Taemin Han.
For the concert, two guest solo musicians will be with us: organist Dr. Caroline Robinson from the University of Michigan and trumpeter Dr. Alexander Wilson from Grand Valley State University. Dr. Robinson became a new addition to the organ faculty of the University of Michigan in the fall of 2024. Two days prior to the concert at Central (on Friday, May 16), she will give an organ recital at LaGrave Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids sponsored by the Grand Rapids Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
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The Central Reformed Chancel Choir along with The Choral Scholars, professional guest vocal soloists and instrumentalists presented this All-Bach Concert under the direction of Taemin Han, director of music ministries. In addition, two talented church music directors and keyboardists, Dr. Julia Brown from Mayflower and Dr. Gregory Crowell from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church brought their own harpsichords to perform the Bach Concerto for Two Harpsichords, BWV 1060. Here you can watch the full concert and view the program and poster by clicking on the links below!
Watch Here
View Concert Program Here
View Poster Here -
This all-Beethoven program featured Dr. Dmitri Vorobiev, an internationally recognized concert pianist and music educator. Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 and Choral Fantasy, Op. 80 comprised the main program. Additionally, the concert featured six vocal soloists, the community chorus, and a 25-piece orchestra, all under the direction of Taemin Han. Here you can watch the full concert and view the program by clicking on the links below!
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The Central Chancel Choir was joined by guest vocalists and by instrumentalists from the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Holland Symphony, all accompanied by special guest organist Dr. Julia Brown. Director of Music Ministries Taemin Han led them in stirring performances of Handel, Buxtehude, and Bach. View this concert and program by clicking on the links below!
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Each year, in collaboration with the American Guild of Organists, we host a free organ concert to ring in the New Year. This is a special tradition that highlights the importance of the arts at Central Reformed Church.
How to Get Involved
If you are interested in joining any of our worship arts programs, please contact Taemin Han at than@centralreformedchurch.org.