Chancel Choir
At the core of our music program is our twenty-five-plus-member Chancel Choir.
Apart from the summer, our choir sings for the 9:30 a.m. worship service on all other Sundays. Further, it sings for numerous special services both within our church and in the greater community. Learning new and varied styles of anthems is always among the choir’s goals, as is featuring as many of our talented soloists as possible. The choir generally rehearses from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays in the church sanctuary. It is a very spirited group, hardworking, dedicated, and fun.
Anyone high school age and older who loves to sing and can regularly attend rehearsals should contact Bob Bengtson, Director of Music, for more information.
Special Music
The Congregational Church of Laconia's music program encompasses a wide range of special events and opportunities to share the gift of music. In addition to vocal solos, duets, and quartets, our special summer music offerings include a wide variety of instrumentalists. Recently, guest musicians have included a flutist, two violinists from the New Hampshire Music Festival, and the Brass Choir from Camp Mowglis.
The church also plays host to a number of community concerts that take place in our sanctuary. In the past we have hosted:
- Lenten Musical Series
- Contemporary Musicians
- Christmas Carol Sing-a-long
- Jazz Sanctuary
- The Power Chords
Grand Piano
A particularly fine Model B Steinway used not only for accompaniments and solos during worship, but also for student and professional recitals, including the New Hampshire Music Festival’s programs.
Three-Manual Pipe Organ
This notable thirty-seven rank instrument was built in 1989 by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut. During Lent, recitals are presented by local organists in the spirit of the season. Occasionally, we venture out a bit further when we have invited Mark Pace, organist of St. Paul’s Church in Concord, and Rob Couchon, Director of Music and Organist of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish in Winchendon, MA, and also Organist of Temple Emmanuel-Sinai in Worcester, MA. Additionally, organists periodically perform for purely concert purposes. Recently, one of our church families made possible the addition of a new “stop” for the organ. Called an 8’ Diapason, this rank provides a unique layer of warmth and color.
