Park Hill Church has active an Sanctuary/Gospel Choir that sing all year long (even virtually during the pandemic!). The choir’s repertoire extends from traditional Gospel to contemporary praise songs. The Choir is accompanied by the Gospel Band. The Park Hill Gospel Band usually has from 6–10 players – both acoustic and electronic instruments. The band rehearses on Sundays at 8 a.m. prior to worship. Besides accompanying the choir, the Band plays all service music. The Gospel Band also plays in the community. Both the Sanctuary and Gospel Choirs are open to adults and teens of all musical abilities. The choir accepts new singers throughout the year.
We Love to Play Instruments
The Music Ministry at Park Hill Church provides music of all styles. Numerous instrumental combinations are used during the worship. The instrumental program is year-round. The PHCC Wind Ensemble – a group of wind musicians plays many Sundays. Other instrumental groups play during the year.
Handbells are also used during worship. There are opportunities for both adults and children/youth to ring. One of our youth, Ruth Gamble, is assistant director and Pam Hennessey is our Hand Bell Coordinator
Into the Community We Go!
Our Music Ministry enjoys reaching out to the community. We have long-standing relationships with the Denver Inner City Parish and Morningstar Dayton Place. We take musical/worship services and enjoy the fellowship of these evenings. More about our MS Walk Team below.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Park Hill Music Ministry, contact:
Billie Busby Smith, M.Mus., Director of Music Ministries/Organist
music@parkhillchurch.org
303-322-9122
The Park Hill Organ
The 22 rank instrument built by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, Kansas was originally installed in 1955. The instrument was intended by Reuter to be a prototype and model for its flagship, landmark instrument designed for Whatley Chapel at the former Colorado Women’s’ College, which was installed in phases during the early 1960s. The Great division of the PHCC organ was completed in 1964 with an addition of 6 ranks; the swell division was completed in 1969 with the addition of 4 ranks; while the pedal division was completed in 1985 with the addition of the 16 foot reed.
The organ, which is located in the sanctuary gallery of the Park Hill Congregational Church is considered by organists to be an excellent example of regional organ building. As such, it has been used in recitals for the American Guild of Organists and the Colorado Symphony Guild, Inc.
Based on its superior acoustics and location in the Metro Denver area, the Park Hill space is used by numerous community arts organizations and individuals for performances. Among these groups are Bennie Williams Spiritual Voices, The Spirituals Project, various GALA choruses, the Rocky Mountain Children’s Chorale, Grand Design Chorale, and the Park Hill Brass.
Walk MS
One of ways some of our church members serve the community is through Walk MS, and we mention this here since a member of Billie Busby’s family has MS. It is a lifelong commitment near and dear, and also for others in our church community. In addition to the Music Ministry she leads, and her volunteer work for the Women’s Homelessness Initiative, Billie has led a committed group to join many others in Denver to help in this mission. Interested in joining? Click here for details!
