Calvary United Methodist Church offers an energetic and diverse music and arts program with opportunities for everyone. New participants are always welcome. If you are interested in joining one of our ensembles, please contact the music office.

Winter Ensemble Schedule

Adult Ensembles

Both ensembles maintain a diverse repertoire of sacred choral music consisting of everything from 17th century polyphony to gospel.  The two choirs combine to present special services during Advent and Easter and to perform masterwork concerts.  As musicians, members are committed to excellence in all endeavors and strive to hone those skills which define good ensembles.  New singers are always welcome!

Calvary Ringers

Weekly rehearsal: Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:15 pm
Plays in service monthly

An advanced/intermediate bell choir which plays a variety of music and also participates in special events at the church and in the local community.

Calvary Brass

Weekly rehearsal: Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
Plays in service occasionally

A group of 5 - 8 brass musicians who meet weekly to learn a variety of repertoire. The ensemble performs in the local community as well.

Youth Ensembles

Middle School Choir

Weekly rehearsal: TBA
Sings in service monthly

High School Liturgical Dance

Weekly rehearsal: TBA
Dances in service quarterly

Youth Praise Band

This ensemble learns and shares praise songs with the congregation.

Children's Ensembles

Angel Choir (Pre-School & Kindergarten)

Weekly rehearsal: 9:40- 9:55 am
Sings in service quarterly

An energetic introduction to ensemble singing for children who like music and can follow simple directions. All 4 year old children will be taken to Angel Choir by their Sunday School teachers.  If your child will be attending the 2nd Sunday School session, they may join in for rehearsal from 9:40-9:55 in Room 4.

Early Elementary Choir (K-2nd Grades)

Weekly rehearsal: Sunday evening at M&M For Kids (5:30 -7:00 pm)
Sings in service monthly

Sings a broader variety of music with special focus given to unison singing and basic music-reading skills.

Late Elementary Choir (3rd-5th Grades)

Weekly rehearsal: Sunday evening at M&M For Kids (5:30 - 7:00 pm)
Sings in service monthly

Praise Team: Contemporary Ensemble

Praise Band

Weekly rehearsal: Thursday 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Weekly service: Sunday 10:00 AM

Music Department Staff

SCOTT TAYLOR, Director of Music music@calumc.org, (410) 268-7794 More Info...

Originally from East Bend, North Carolina, Mr. Taylor earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina in 2005. While at Furman, he served as Choirmaster to Saint Matthew United Methodist Church. In May 2008, Scott earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado where he was the assistant conductor of the University Singers from 2005-2008. For the duration of his master's degree program he served as choirmaster to Saint Aidan's Episcopal Church, a university-based parish. During his second year in Boulder, Scott established the Saint Aidan's Recital Series, which was host to more than 200 musicians and featured guest performers from the university and beyond. Since 2003, Scott has spent his summers teaching choirs at the North Carolina Governor's School in Winston-Salem, NC and in 2006 was promoted to Choral Music Instructor. In addition to conducting, Mr. Taylor maintains an active life as a performing baritone in opera, oratorio and recital. As a scholar, Scott has produced and published numerous performing and critical editions of choral music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Early American/Moravian, and Late Romantic traditions. Scott enjoys hiking, writing, cooking, and above all, fly-fishing. Scott joined the staff at Calvary in October 2008.

DAVID BEATTY, Organist More Info...

David P. Beatty is currently serving on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia AGO. In 2006 he served as the interim director of music and organist at The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. In the 2002-2003 season, he served as interim organist at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church. From 1998 through 2001, he was organist of the Kirkpatrick Chapel of Rutgers University. He received his BS in physics and his BM in church music from Westminster College in New Wilmington PA, where he studied organ with Raymond Ocock.

While completing his PhD in nuclear physics at Rutgers University, he studied organ with, and was assistant to, David Drinkwater, University Organist/Choirmaster. During that time he also studied improvisation with Gerre Hancock at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City. A post-doctoral appointment in nuclear physics research brought him to the University of Pennsylvania in 1994, and soon thereafter he began to serve the churches of the Philadelphia area as a frequent substitute organist and choirmaster. In that capacity, Dr. Beatty has frequently played at: St. Mark's, Locust Street; St. Paul's, Chestnut Hill; the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill; St. Christopher's, Gladwyne; Good Shepherd, Rosemont; Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church; St. Luke & the Epiphany; and St. David's, Radnor. He has served on the Philadelphia Executive Committee from 1997-2001, and was registrar for the 2002 National Convention.

During the week, Dr. Beatty is employed by Northrop Grumman, where he is chief engineer for the Aerial Sensor Integrator for the US Army's Future Combat Systems.

IRA OSTROWSKI, Praise Team Director More Info...

Ira is originally from Ballston Spa, New York. He joined the Naval Academy Band in 2002 and is currently a vocalist with that group. Ira also plays trombone, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard. He began working with the Praise Team in September, 2006.

NOËL BUTLER, Director of Children's Choirs More Info...

Noël comes to us with a Bachelor's Degree in music education and currently is the Performing Arts Teacher at the Harbour School in Annapolis. She has extensive experience with children's choirs, handbell choirs as well as Vacation Bible School. She grew up in the Methodist church where music has been her passion for many years. Noel's children, Catherine and Patrick join her here at Calvary

BRUCE SMITH, Director of Handbells More Info...

Bruce Smith hails from El Reno, Oklahoma. After graduating with a Master's degree in Music, he became a mother-in-law's worst nightmare, a sailor and a drummer, enlisting in the Navy in 1986. His first tour of duty was in New Orleans before coming to the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis in 1990. Bruce and his wife Liza began attending Calvary the following year. Bruce was a member of the Calvary Ringers for four years before becoming Handbell Director. He also directs the Carillon Ringers. Bruce is following in the footsteps of his mother who directed bell choirs he played in as a youth while she served as minister of music. He is an avid runner and enjoys mountain biking, tennis and cooking. Bruce and his wife Liza have two children, Abby and Max.