| The Arts at VBC We value our gifts in music and the arts as they glorify God Music Because we wish to celebrate in our worship service the rich diversity and history of church music throughout the centuries, we strive for a balanced music selection consisting of classic hymns, spirituals, gospel hymns, classical music, international music, contemporary hymns, and several recent decades of praise songs.
The Chancel Choir leads worship at the 11 a.m. worship service. Choral selections cover a wide range of church music literature from early church traditions, to Bach and Mendelssohn, to contemporary composers such as Jane Parker Huber and John Ness Beck. The Chancel Choir also offers special opportunities for worship several times annually. Recent examples are an All-Saints Service around November 1; Advent programs that have featured Handel's Messiah and Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols; and a Maundy Thursday service during Holy Week. Instrumental music
Talented members of the congregation regularly provide instrumental music, including music of various styles on violin, cello, and flute. Also helping the lead the 11 a.m. worship service is a group of contemporary musicians who provide music with guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard, and rhythm instruments. Children’s music Through music, children from preschool age through 6th grade are learning that participation in worship is a way of serving God. Children sing together during the Sunday Bible study hour and sing in worship periodically.
Drama Since its founding in 1957, VBC has used drama and the arts as tools for its own community enrichment and to present opportunities for mission outreach. Presentations have ranged from full-scale, costumed musical productions with participants of all ages, to simpler, spoken dramatic sketches during worship services. At Christmas 1967, VBC offered the wider Vienna community the first “Living Nativity.” This annual event continues, with carols, the biblical Nativity story, costumes, choral music, and live animals enhancing the depiction. The evening concludes with refreshments served in the Fellowship Hall, at which the congregation and community socialize together. The visual arts Weekly art classes open both to church members and the community have been held at VBC since 1984. Class members show their artwork annually in the church foyer before and after a Sunday worship service. More than 200 individuals have explored their artistic skills through this program since its inception. Classes meet Monday mornings at 10 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. |
Adult Chancel Choir
The 27-rank Randall Dyer pipe organ and Kimball concert grand piano provide instrumental support for 11 a.m. worship services. Additionally, VBC has five octaves of handbells.