Music Ministry
The music program plays an integral role in worship at Kirk in the Hills. Sacred music, combined with the Proclamation of the Word and the Celebration of the Sacraments, brings us to a deeper understanding of our faith. Here at the Kirk, we sing glad praises to the God in whom we live and breathe and have our being.
The choirs form the backbone of our music ministry, and there are many ways to become involved. The choir season runs from September through May for all choirs except for the Chancel Choir, whose season concludes in June. For those who love to sing, consider joining one of our choirs--if choir participation is not for you, then we welcome your enthusiastic participation in the pews. For those who play an instrument, we hope you will consider offering your gifts of music in worship.
For information about participation in any of the music department's offerings, please contact Marilyn Biery, Director of Music Ministry at (248) 973-8004 or
Sing for joy to God our strength!
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is comprised of professional and auditioned volunteer singers and sings during Sunday worship services in the sanctuary throughout the entire calendar year as well as for special seasonal services and concerts.
For additional information, please contact Marilyn Biery at or 248-973-8004.
Children & Youth Choirs
Registration has begun for the 2024-2025 Children & Youth Choirs.
To learn more, please click the button below to learn more!
Music Events
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Journey to Jerusalem I Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026, 7:30 p.m. |
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All are invited to the Kirk’s Maundy Thursday service, “Journey to Jerusalem” on April 2 at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary. The service will be followed by Tenebrae and Stripping of the Paraments at 8:45pm. Come with Jesus on his final journey to Jerusalem: washing the feet of the disciples, sitting at the table for the Last Supper, and praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. |
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“Journey to Jerusalem” is an interactive drama that engages the congregation in participation, combining scripture, hymns, prayer, candlelight, choir, instruments, and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The one-hour service will draw you into the emotion and inspiration of Holy Week. “Journey to Jerusalem” is an original drama that was conceived and written by Marilyn Biery (libretto) and James Biery (music) in 2017. |
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Featuring Michael Fowler as Jesus, Chantel Woodard as Judas, Jesse Ward as Peter, with the Kirk Choir; disciples Carrie Slade, May Wang, Nate Davey, Nick Hudson; Kirk members as the Chief priests and scribes, and Bobi Tallinger coordinating communion. The drama is accompanied by Stephanie Shapiro, English horn; Scott Graddy flute; Jasper Zientek, viola; Robert Styles, bass, and Lydia Cleaver, harp, under the direction of the composer, James Biery. |
The Tree of Life: A Celebration of Trees in Hymns and Anthems
Join us for an hour of hymn singing as we explore the theme of Trees in hymnody and anthems. With narrator Michael Silhavy, senior projects editor at G.I.A. Publications in Chicago, Merideth Hite Estevez, oboe, James Biery, organ and Marilyn Biery, conductor. Hymn Festivals are an opportunity to sing familiar and new hymns, and to learn more about the texts and tunes; the Kirk Choir will lead our singing and offer several anthems on the theme. Come prepared to lift your voice in song!
In the beginning: Choir Anthem: The Tree of Life; HYMNs: Sing, My Tongue, the Song of Triumph and
O Blessed Spring; How lovely are your branches: HYMNs: O Christmas Tree and The Cherry Tree Carol;
I am the vine Choir and Congregation: Christ is the Vine; HYMN: Jesus Christ the Apple Tree; You are the branches; HYMNS: The Olive Tree and May This Church Be Like a Tree;
There, in God’s garden: ANTHEM: Christ, the Beauty of All; HYMNS: Jerusalem My Happy Home and There in God’s Garden
Carillon
High in the Kirk tower is the 77-bell carillon, the world's largest in number of bells (tied with our sister tower, Hyechon College in Korea). The carillon was cast by the 300 year-old royal bellfoundry of Petit and Fritsen, The Netherlands. The instrument was the gift of the Fruehauf family, designed by Dr. Frederick L. Marriott, longtime Kirk organist and carillonneur, and installed in 1960.
The largest bell, the Bourdon, is 6' 10" in diameter and weighs over six tons, and the smallest is only 6" in diameter and weighs fourteen pounds. While thirty-six of the bells may be played electrically (and therefore without dynamic nuance) from the sanctuary organ console, the full 77 bell compass is playable only (with dynamic nuance) from a mechanical keyboard called a clavier, located in a cabin in the belfry. Five of the large bells (G, B, D, E and G) form a peal which swing freely; these five also sound in combination each quarter hour as directed by the instrument's computerized clock mechanism.
Midway up the tower is the Marriott Library, which serves as both a repository of Dr. Marriott's music library and his many compositions (including his works for carillon) as well as the home to a practice clavier of the same design as the carillon's clavier.
The instrument is normally played each Sunday before worship, for recitals on Sundays after worship (during the Summer Carillon Series featuring carillonneurs from around the world), before other concerts during the year, and frequently for weddings.
Frederick L. Marriott: A Centennial Anthology
View videos of carillonneur Carson Landry performing at Kirk in the Hills on May 4, 2023:
Hypnos by Phyllis Chen
Allegro by Julie Zhu
Here Comes the Sun
What a Wonderful World
Staff
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Marilyn BieryDirector of Music Ministry |
Merideth Hite EstevezArtist in Residence |
David EnosAssociate Organist |
James BieryArtist-in-Residence |
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Adam LenhartCarillonist |
Bobby DeLisleChildren & Youth Choir Director |
Carol Beth LitkouhiJoyful Noise Choir Director |
Rosie BieryMusic Department Mascot |
