Music
Music
Current Groups and Events
Current Groups and Events
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir leads us in worship through sacred music, echoing the psalmist’s call to ‘make a joyful noise to the Lord’ (Psalm 100:1). With hearts lifted in song—from Sunday mornings to a recent performance at Carnegie Hall with DCINY—our choir offers their voices as a living prayer, enriching our shared experience of faith.
Chime Choir
Our Chime Choir adds a gentle, resonant beauty to worship. Open to all ages and skill levels, this ensemble is a beloved part of our musical family—bringing rhythm, grace, and community to every performance.
Instrumental Ensemble
From strings to brass, woodwinds to percussion, our instrumentalists join in creating rich, spirit-filled worship experiences. Whether accompanying hymns or adding flair to special services, all are welcome to bring their musical gifts.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir leads us in worship through sacred music, echoing the psalmist’s call to ‘make a joyful noise to the Lord’ (Psalm 100:1). With hearts lifted in song—from Sunday mornings to a recent performance at Carnegie Hall with DCINY—our choir offers their voices as a living prayer, enriching our shared experience of faith.
Chime Choir
Our Chime Choir adds a gentle, resonant beauty to worship. Open to all ages and skill levels, this ensemble is a beloved part of our musical family—bringing rhythm, grace, and community to every performance.
Instrumental Ensemble
From strings to brass, woodwinds to percussion, our instrumentalists join in creating rich, spirit-filled worship experiences. Whether accompanying hymns or adding flair to special services, all are welcome to bring their musical gifts.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir leads us in worship through sacred music, echoing the psalmist’s call to ‘make a joyful noise to the Lord’ (Psalm 100:1). With hearts lifted in song—from Sunday mornings to a recent performance at Carnegie Hall with DCINY—our choir offers their voices as a living prayer, enriching our shared experience of faith.
Chime Choir
Our Chime Choir adds a gentle, resonant beauty to worship. Open to all ages and skill levels, this ensemble is a beloved part of our musical family—bringing rhythm, grace, and community to every performance.
Instrumental Ensemble
From strings to brass, woodwinds to percussion, our instrumentalists join in creating rich, spirit-filled worship experiences. Whether accompanying hymns or adding flair to special services, all are welcome to bring their musical gifts.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir leads us in worship through sacred music, echoing the psalmist’s call to ‘make a joyful noise to the Lord’ (Psalm 100:1). With hearts lifted in song—from Sunday mornings to a recent performance at Carnegie Hall with DCINY—our choir offers their voices as a living prayer, enriching our shared experience of faith.
Chime Choir
Our Chime Choir adds a gentle, resonant beauty to worship. Open to all ages and skill levels, this ensemble is a beloved part of our musical family—bringing rhythm, grace, and community to every performance.
Instrumental Ensemble
From strings to brass, woodwinds to percussion, our instrumentalists join in creating rich, spirit-filled worship experiences. Whether accompanying hymns or adding flair to special services, all are welcome to bring their musical gifts.
Our multi-generational ensemble leading worship.
Our instrumentalists and vocalists—serving together in spirit and sound.
Chancel Choir during our Easter Service.
Glorifying God—one note at a time.
A History of the Mission Hills UCC Pipe Organ
On September 25, 1924, Mission Hills Congregational Church celebrated the dedication of a new organ with a special recital. The instrument, installed by the Austin Organ Company, was a heartfelt gift from Alice Cowles Doane and Mary Flager Cowles in memory of their mother, Louise Mary Cowles (1839–1903). The organ’s design and dedication were led by her grandson, John Doane, who was also the church’s first minister.
Over the decades, the organ underwent several significant updates. In 1956, the California Organ Company made major modifications. A few years later, in 1963, further repairs and enhancements were completed by pipe organ builder Leonard Dowling. In 1976, a new console was commissioned from the Möller Organ Company, and installed in March 1977 by William E. Ginder, thanks to fundraising efforts by members of the First Congregational Church.
In 1980, the First Congregational Corporation generously funded additional improvements in honor of Margueritte B. Nobles, who had served as organist and choirmaster for 42 years. These enhancements, completed in November 1981, were carried out by William E. Ginder Pipe Organs.
Recognizing the need for further updates, the church began exploring options in 2007 to improve the aging console. After evaluating several possibilities, the Worship and Music Commission decided to move forward with a new solid-state electronic action console.
This major upgrade was made possible by a generous matching gift from the estate of John Brownell, given by his family members Anne Sarsfield and Joan Anderson. The project was entrusted to L. W. Blackinton and Associates, Inc. of El Cajon, who designed and built a new three-manual electric console, installed on the sanctuary’s main floor. The expanded console gave the organist enhanced control of the organ’s 33 ranks, while a newly added Festival Trumpet enriched the reed division. The work was completed in May 2008, with Lyle Blackinton supported by Dale Sorenson and Jesus Zepeda.
A History of the Mission Hills UCC Pipe Organ
On September 25, 1924, Mission Hills Congregational Church celebrated the dedication of a new organ with a special recital. The instrument, installed by the Austin Organ Company, was a heartfelt gift from Alice Cowles Doane and Mary Flager Cowles in memory of their mother, Louise Mary Cowles (1839–1903). The organ’s design and dedication were led by her grandson, John Doane, who was also the church’s first minister.
Over the decades, the organ underwent several significant updates. In 1956, the California Organ Company made major modifications. A few years later, in 1963, further repairs and enhancements were completed by pipe organ builder Leonard Dowling. In 1976, a new console was commissioned from the Möller Organ Company, and installed in March 1977 by William E. Ginder, thanks to fundraising efforts by members of the First Congregational Church.
In 1980, the First Congregational Corporation generously funded additional improvements in honor of Margueritte B. Nobles, who had served as organist and choirmaster for 42 years. These enhancements, completed in November 1981, were carried out by William E. Ginder Pipe Organs.
Recognizing the need for further updates, the church began exploring options in 2007 to improve the aging console. After evaluating several possibilities, the Worship and Music Commission decided to move forward with a new solid-state electronic action console.
This major upgrade was made possible by a generous matching gift from the estate of John Brownell, given by his family members Anne Sarsfield and Joan Anderson. The project was entrusted to L. W. Blackinton and Associates, Inc. of El Cajon, who designed and built a new three-manual electric console, installed on the sanctuary’s main floor. The expanded console gave the organist enhanced control of the organ’s 33 ranks, while a newly added Festival Trumpet enriched the reed division. The work was completed in May 2008, with Lyle Blackinton supported by Dale Sorenson and Jesus Zepeda.
A History of the Mission Hills UCC Pipe Organ
On September 25, 1924, Mission Hills Congregational Church celebrated the dedication of a new organ with a special recital. The instrument, installed by the Austin Organ Company, was a heartfelt gift from Alice Cowles Doane and Mary Flager Cowles in memory of their mother, Louise Mary Cowles (1839–1903). The organ’s design and dedication were led by her grandson, John Doane, who was also the church’s first minister.
Over the decades, the organ underwent several significant updates. In 1956, the California Organ Company made major modifications. A few years later, in 1963, further repairs and enhancements were completed by pipe organ builder Leonard Dowling. In 1976, a new console was commissioned from the Möller Organ Company, and installed in March 1977 by William E. Ginder, thanks to fundraising efforts by members of the First Congregational Church.
In 1980, the First Congregational Corporation generously funded additional improvements in honor of Margueritte B. Nobles, who had served as organist and choirmaster for 42 years. These enhancements, completed in November 1981, were carried out by William E. Ginder Pipe Organs.
Recognizing the need for further updates, the church began exploring options in 2007 to improve the aging console. After evaluating several possibilities, the Worship and Music Commission decided to move forward with a new solid-state electronic action console.
This major upgrade was made possible by a generous matching gift from the estate of John Brownell, given by his family members Anne Sarsfield and Joan Anderson. The project was entrusted to L. W. Blackinton and Associates, Inc. of El Cajon, who designed and built a new three-manual electric console, installed on the sanctuary’s main floor. The expanded console gave the organist enhanced control of the organ’s 33 ranks, while a newly added Festival Trumpet enriched the reed division. The work was completed in May 2008, with Lyle Blackinton supported by Dale Sorenson and Jesus Zepeda.
A History of the Mission Hills UCC Pipe Organ
On September 25, 1924, Mission Hills Congregational Church celebrated the dedication of a new organ with a special recital. The instrument, installed by the Austin Organ Company, was a heartfelt gift from Alice Cowles Doane and Mary Flager Cowles in memory of their mother, Louise Mary Cowles (1839–1903). The organ’s design and dedication were led by her grandson, John Doane, who was also the church’s first minister.
Over the decades, the organ underwent several significant updates. In 1956, the California Organ Company made major modifications. A few years later, in 1963, further repairs and enhancements were completed by pipe organ builder Leonard Dowling. In 1976, a new console was commissioned from the Möller Organ Company, and installed in March 1977 by William E. Ginder, thanks to fundraising efforts by members of the First Congregational Church.
In 1980, the First Congregational Corporation generously funded additional improvements in honor of Margueritte B. Nobles, who had served as organist and choirmaster for 42 years. These enhancements, completed in November 1981, were carried out by William E. Ginder Pipe Organs.
Recognizing the need for further updates, the church began exploring options in 2007 to improve the aging console. After evaluating several possibilities, the Worship and Music Commission decided to move forward with a new solid-state electronic action console.
This major upgrade was made possible by a generous matching gift from the estate of John Brownell, given by his family members Anne Sarsfield and Joan Anderson. The project was entrusted to L. W. Blackinton and Associates, Inc. of El Cajon, who designed and built a new three-manual electric console, installed on the sanctuary’s main floor. The expanded console gave the organist enhanced control of the organ’s 33 ranks, while a newly added Festival Trumpet enriched the reed division. The work was completed in May 2008, with Lyle Blackinton supported by Dale Sorenson and Jesus Zepeda.
