Bring Your Voices

Music Ministry

Where rhythm and harmony find their way into your soul.

 


Chancel Choir

 

The workhorse of our Traditional Worship service is The Chancel Choir — a group of committed individuals who rehearse once a week to lead congregational worship. While we have some outstanding soloists, most of us are ordinary folk who like to sing and feel a “calling” to our role as worship leaders. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the Choir Room on the lower level of the Sanctuary Building (Building A).


The Chancel Choir is often accompanied by an orchestra for seasonal Christmas and Easter programs. Auditions are not required for participation. Just come join us and sing! The only request made of all members is to keep the director informed of your attendance.


Email the Director for more information.

 


Worship Team

 

With great guitarists, musicians and vocals, they rock the 11:05 am worship with Contemporary Christian songs that many people know and listen to on their radios.


Simpsonwood has many talented musicians and listening to this group will enhance your worship and bring you closer to God. They rehearse regularly and arrive early on Sunday mornings to provide strong leadership for our Modern Worship hour.


There's also an amazing crew that helps make worship, especially the livestream happen weekly.


Rehearsals happen on Thursdays at 7:00pm.


Email the Worship Team for more information.

 


Instrumental Ensembles

 

Instrumentalists enhance our worship services throughout the year. Musicians who play flute, clarinet, oboe, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, french horn, baritone and percussion accompany our choir and perform in duets, trios, and full ensembles. Christmas and Easter are special times when instrumental ensembles and orchestras perform and accompany choral groups.


Email the director for more information.

 

David Troy Francis

Director of Sanctuary Music


David Troy Francis joined SUMC as Choir Master and Director of Music in 2021. David plays the organ, piano, directs the choir and offers up special music performances, Sunday to Sunday.


David is an accomplished concert pianist and recording artist. In addition to his work with various United Methodist Churches, he was a former featured artist at Junaluska Methodist Conference Center. He has taught music at many levels, including private lessons, the Memphis City Schools, and on the college level.


One of the outstanding pieces in his background is that he wrote and produced the longest running musical in Los Angeles called Bark! The Musical. So, he has the chops for writing, producing, fund-raising, promotion and recruiting. One fascinating side note to David’s resume is that he worked with Sister Helen Prejean to produce the Opera for Dead Man Walking. Plus, for TV fans, he composed scores for The Young & The Restless episodes.


He eagerly and wholeheartedly welcomes you to join the choir. Choir members will tell you that they love singing holy music, but David makes it so fun and energetic that everyone loves coming to practice. Please reach out to David – whether you sing, play an instrument, or want to be involved in other ways.


 

Zach Brown

Worship Band Leader


Zach has served in ministry for the last 25 years in both part-time staff and lay leader roles including the staff of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church and their satellite campus, Westside Table. A musician with an expansive skillset, Zach has also performed in the Atlanta Opera Chorus. Most recently, he worked as a contract staff member for a church in Kennesaw, where he was an interim worship leader for a year and a half.  


As for his "day job", Zach has worked in the non-profit field throughout his entire career. Zach currently works as part of the team over at Habitat for Humanity International, fulfilling the role of Major Gift Officer for key donors on the West Coast. "I love helping people and ministering to those in need in our world. Singing and worshiping with other believers is the way the Lord fills my cup. In turn, my prayer is that it overflows so others can see a glimpse of the grace and hope we have in Christ.” 


Zach is married to Lisa, his wife of 23 years. They have four kids. Zachary, Ellis Marie, Hudson, Fitz Griffin, Their household is rounded out with Zach's mom, Laine.