Music
The music program at Westminster Presbyterian Church is an integral part of the total church program. Its primary purpose is to enhance the worship experience through inspiring and artistic expression of service and praise to God.
Westminster has a rich tradition and heritage of music upon which the current program is building. In 1920 the Westminster Choir was organized under the direction of John Finley Williamson. By 1926 the choir had toured the United States and Europe, and Dr. Williamson had established a choir school which rapidly outgrew the church facilities and was moved to the Conservatory at Ithaca, New York. A few years later it moved to Princeton, New Jersey.
In keeping with this rich tradition and heritage at Westminster, and in recognizing the interdependence of spiritual and musical growth, the music program endeavors to offer learning opportunities for all of its participants. It also makes a special contribution to the cultural life of the Dayton community, and, in so doing, strives to enrich the lives of those it touches and to gather into the congregation those who would believe in and work to advance Christ’s Kingdom.
Presently, there are five singing choirs and three handbell choirs. There is a place in the music program for anyone who wishes to learn, to grow, and to serve.
Choirs
Westminster Choir (Adults)
Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Choir Room
John Neely, Director
Knox Choir (Grades 7-12)
Sundays, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Choir Room
John Neely, Director
Supper and Youth Fellowships follow.
Calvin Choir (Grades 3-6)
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Choir Room
John Neely, Director
Cherub Choir (Grades K-2)
Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Theater
Rachael Boezi, Director
Genesis Singers (Pre-K, ages 4 and 5)
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Room 104
Hilary Toerner, Director
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Knox Ringers (Grades 7-12)
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Room 301
Brent Manley, Director
Carillon Bells (Beginning Adults)
Thursdays, 6:15-7:15 p.m., Room 301
Gideon Brenner, Director
Westminster Ringers (Adults)
Thursdays, 6:15-7:15 p.m., Room 203
Brent Manley, Director
Knox Ringers (grades 7-12)
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Brent Manley, Director
Music Events
DAYTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS CONCERT
Saturday, December 7, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Kathy Clark, Artistic Director
Members of The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus are committed to living their mission by challenging themselves to continually reach for excellence in choral music.
For ticket information visit www.daytongaymenschorus.org.
ADVENT DINNER, CHORAL PROGRAM
Sunday, December 8
5:00 p.m. – Potluck Dinner
5:45 p.m. – Informal Choral Program Genesis Singers, Cherub, Calvin, and Knox Choirs
SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 15, 10:00 a.m.
All choirs participating.
NOONDAY CAROL SING
Friday, December 20
12:00 Noon—Handbell Music-Westminster Ringers
12:10-12:40 p.m. – Carol singing by all and choral music by the Vocal Ensemble of Xenia High School - Travis Matson, Director
Lunch Follows
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Tuesday, December 24
4:00 p.m. – Christmas in the Stable
Family Oriented Service
Genesis Singers, Cherub, and Calvin Choirs
9:20 p.m. - Prelude
10:00 p.m. – Christmas in the Cathedral
Traditional Candlelight Service
Westminster Choir, Knox Ringers
PRESBYTERIAN HERITAGE SUNDAY
Sunday, January 26, 10:00 a.m.
With the Miami Valley Pipes and Drums
LENTEN CHORAL VESPERS
Sunday, March 16, 4:00 p.m.
Westminster Choir with Organ
Handbell Music by the Westminster Ringers
Cantata 150 – J. S. Bach
“Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich”
(“For Thee, O Lord, I Long”)
“Sing We Merrily” – Maurice Green
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Freewill Offering
5:15 p.m. - Fellowship Dinner Reservations Required
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 20
Identical Services – 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Westminster Choir, Oakwood Brass with percussion
NOONDAY ORGAN RECITALS
Four Thursdays in May, 12:10-12:35 p.m.
May 1 – John Sherer
May 8 – Gideon Brenner
May 15 – Priscilla Acuff
May 22 – Laura Bottei
Lunch follows each recital. $7.00
KNOX CHOIR SEND-OFF CONCERT
Sunday June 8, 11:30 a.m.
A farewell concert as the Knox Choir (grades 7-12) prepares to leave for a ten-day concert tour of the mid-Atlantic.
CONCERT BY THE RIVER’S EDGE BRASS BAND WITH ORGAN
Sunday, June 8, 4:00 p.m.
John Neely, Organist
Based in Cincinnati, The River’s Edge Brass Band has gained an enviable reputation as a highly skilled, exciting ensemble. Included in the program will an arrangement of
Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, commonly known as the Organ Symphony.
Freewill offering
MADD DAYS AT WESTMINSTER 2025
​July 21-25, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Music, Art, Dance, Drama Day Camp
Grades 3-7 (as of fall 2025)
Choir, Handbells, Orff Instruments, Dance, Drama
Carillon Music
Fridays 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m.
*Reservations necessary for some events Contact Church Office (937-223-7285) For organ recitals, the organ console will be visible by way of a large-screen projection system. Please check Westminster’s website for updates and additional information regarding the music calendar.
Organ Restoration Project
About Our Organ
The Casavant Organ (opus 2670), dedicated in January 1963, was custom designed and built to meet the acoustical and musical requirements of Westminster Church. The organ is really two organs: a Chancel Organ located at the front of the Sanctuary, and a Gallery-Celestial Organ located in the balcony. Each has its own console. Together these organs have over 8,000 pipes arranged in 138 ranks. Every pipe, including those visible from the pews, is a speaking pipe.
Numerous additions and upgrades have taken place over the history of the organ. Lawrence Stofer is responsible for extensive renovations including new pipework and revoicing. During the summer of 2002, a new console was custom built and installed with state of the art technology by the Walker Technical Company of Center Valley, Pennsylvania. In June 2007, the Celestial Division was given in memory of Beatrice Jackson, organist at Clough United Methodist Church in Cincinnati for 65 years. This gift was given by her brother and sister in law, Ray and Sue Merz. In February 2010, a memorial gift from the family and friends of John (Jack) Bindeman was given for the installation of a Carillon in the Sanctuary. Through additional gifts given in memory of numerous individuals, the Carillon was configured to sound outdoors through an opening high in the northeast corner of the building. The Hunt Organ Service of Dayton has donated several ranks of vintage pipes and is currently restoring aging existing pipework and mechanisms.
