Newtonbrook United Church Music - Listen to our 

wonderful choir!                     

“There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is.” ~William P. Merrill 
One of many beautiful banners made by the Sanctuary Guild
Newtonbrook United Church enjoys a wonderful music program under the direction of Taylor Sullivan. Organ and piano support the leadership of the chancel choir, while the use of drums and other instruments enhance the music on some Sunday mornings. Congregational singing includes a wide variety of hymns, both traditional and modern, from Voices United and other sources. Taizé services feature quiet meditative music, offering a relaxing, spiritually uplifting experience.
Our Chancel Choir
The chancel choir consists of a group of volunteer singers, supported by a number of professional section-leads. The choir sings a classical and contemporary repertoire and provides strong musical leadership for each Sunday worship service, twelve months of the year. In addition to full choir anthems, various ensembles and solos are presented by members of the chancel choir. On selected Sundays, the choir presents extra choral music such as traditional carols at Christmas and a cantata at Easter. Choral music from all parts of the globe is also regularly featured in the choir's offerings. Rehearsals are held on Sunday morning before the service and on selected Thursday evenings through the year.
Music Director Taylor Sullivan
Music Director, Taylor Sullivan has been the organist and choir director here at Newtonbrook United Church since 1992. In addition, he is the music director of the Taiwanese United Church in Toronto, Newtonbrook's sister congregation. Taylor is also the Director of the Victoria College Choir at the University of Toronto, a choir which holds two regular concerts annually and now plays a significant role in the life of the college. As a composer and arranger, Taylor has developed a number of choral resources which are featured regularly in Sunday worship. These include a collection of Christmas Carol arrangements, descants and numerous choral settings of hymns. In 2002, he composed a Requiem, which debuted here at Newtonbrook at the Remembrance Day service. He has given freelance concerts and provided musical leadership at various venues across Ontario and as far away as Taiwan, Australia and Brazil.
Three manual Casavant pipe organ

The organ at Newtonbrook is a three manual Casavant pipe organ, originally from the CNR Hotel Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Built in 1930, this instrument was re-furbished for Newtonbrook when the current sanctuary was built in 1959. An additional antiphonal organ was added in the mid 1970's completing this unique, vibrant and rich sounding instrument.








 

Yamaha baby grand piano
The Newtonbrook United Church sanctuary is blessed with a Yamaha baby grand piano, previously owned by a young music student Rhoda Amanda Hopper. Upon her unfortunate passing, this instrument was given to the church, by her family, "to provide music for years to come".

The Wilson Memorial Bursary Fund exists to support the continuing musical education of those involved in the music program at Newtonbrook United Church. This fund was established by George Wilson in memory of his wife Florence Wilson and their son Jim Wilson.

 
Newtonbrook Noel CD

The Newtonbrook United Church Chancel Choir released its first CD, called Newtonbrook Noel, in 2006. It is a collection of Christmas Carols and hymns, some of which were arranged by Taylor. You can listen to one of these arrangements by clicking on the arrow beside the speaker icon at the top of this page.


 

Sunday Worship Service Duet




“Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow