Music at Covenant
We invite music lovers of all ages to get involved with music at The Church of the Covenant!
There are opportunities to sing, ring, and to support music making. Contact a member of the music staff: music@covenantweb.org, or by calling (216) 535-4410.
Weekly Music Concerts
Tuesday Noon
Organ Plus Concerts
Every Tuesday January 27 – June 2
12:00 p.m.
Bring your lunch and invite a friend to enjoy a 40-minute concert in the Covenant Sanctuary, featuring Covenant’s two remarkable pipe organs: the 19-rank Newberry Organ by Richards, Fowkes & Co. and the four-manual Chancel Organ by E.M./Aeolian-Skinner.
Friday Lunchtime
Carillon Concerts
Every Friday
12:15 p.m.
A series of 30 minute mid-day carillon concerts presented live and streamed by The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon and The Church of the Covenant. The music is performed on the recently restored and renovated fifty-one bell McGaffin Carillon by carillonists George Leggiero, Keiran Cantilina, and Guests. Programs include an eclectic mix of music written for the bells as well as arrangements of classical works, folk tunes, pop, and show tunes. Programs and stream links are posted on the FMC website www.ucbells.org/events. We welcome requests by email at info@ucbells.org. We’ll let you know when we can program your request. All concerts begin at 12:15 pm
The best place to hear the bells live is away from the Euclid Avenue traffic noise in the campus areas behind the tower along Bellflower Road. The bells sound best some distance from the tower with a direct sight line. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, a picnic and a friend. There are some picnic tables and benches behind the church near Harkness Chapel.
Concerts are rain, snow, or shine. You can always listen from your car or from inside the church where the audio of the concert will be transmitted.
Greet the performer at the Euclid Avenue tower entrance following the concert.
Sing with Covenant Chancel Choir
The Covenant Chancel Choir features both professional and volunteer vocalists who sing during weekly worship services, special events, and concerts throughout the year. We perform repertoire from a variety of historical, stylistic, and cultural traditions. Chancel Choir rehearses Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm.
Volunteer singers: The Chancel Choir is open to volunteers of all voice types (soprano, alto, tenor, bass). Middle and High School youth singers may also join us for special services. Singers should possess basic music reading and listening skills. If you are interested in joining the Chancel Choir, contact our music director for more information.
Professional Vocalists: Section Leader/Soloist positions may be available for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass vocalists. Interested vocalists should have strong sight singing skills, excellent intonation, good leadership skills, and willingness to informally coach/advise volunteer section members. Stipends are commensurate with experience. Contact our music director for more information and to schedule an audition/interview.
Ring with Beckwith Handbell Choir
The Church of the Covenant has maintained a long tradition of handbell choirs for over 50 years through the distinct sound of its British-made 5 octave White Chapel Handbells. The Beckwith University Handbell Choir is comprised of college students and adults who perform regularly throughout the music season. Children and youth also have opportunities to play handbells or tonebars during special services. The Beckwith Handbell Choir rehearses Thursday evenings at 6:15 pm.
Prospective members should contact the music director about joining the ensemble. Prior experience in handbell ringing is not required except for a basic level of music reading ability.
Volunteer as a Covenant Music Ambassador
We welcome church member and music-appreciating volunteers to serve as ambassadors for Church of the Covenant during music events. Our Music Ambassadors greet and welcome folks into our building for afternoon and evenings concerts. If you want to represent Covenant with an outstretched hand and a warm smile, let us know: music@covenantweb.org.
Volunteer as a Member of our Audio Visual Team
If you are gifted with technology talents, we invite you to volunteer as a member of our audio visual team. Church members and college/university student AV Assistants work with our Audio Visual Production Manager to bring worship services and music concerts to a broader audience. All we require is sincere interest and a little training to get started. Contact our AV Production Manager for more information and to join our team.
The McGaffin Carillon
Covenant is the proud home of the McGaffin Carillon, the only cast bell carillon in Cleveland, Ohio. The sound of this instrument has delighted the University Circle area since 1968. Visit the YouTube channel of the McGaffin Carillon, and subscribe to be notified of streaming concerts and other events.
Learn more about the instrument, our carillonists, and how to provide support here.
Photo credit: Nancy Hribar Matz
Friends of Music Fund
The Friends of Music Fund annually supports special concerts, fine arts initiatives, music department internships, and the hiring of instrumentalists for special services outside the regular operating budget. Our yearly goal is $10,000. To donate, click here and specify “Friends of Music” in the “Fund” dropdown menu. Thank you for your donation!