Music is an important part of the Lutheran tradition and a highly valued part of congregational life at Advent. The Advent Chorale, one of the church's two all-volunteer choirs, leads the congregation in worship on weekly basis. The Chorale's repertoire embraces the full range of the church's musical tradition, from the early medieval period, through the Baroque, Classical and Romantic movements, up to and including the American Spiritual and modern and contemporary composers.

If you can read music and enjoy singing in parts, we'd love to have you jump in as a soprano, alto, tenor or bass. Singing with the Advent Chorale is a great way to experience beautiful music, enjoy fellowship with the other singers and musicians, and inspire the congregation in weekly worship. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm and on Sunday mornings immediately before the services.

Contact Aaron Wunsch, Advent's Director of Music, if you are interested: awunsch@gmail.com.

Advent's Voices of Praise Choir ("VOP") brings modern and contemporary Christian repertoire to Advent's worship services. We are a diverse group of enthusiastic singers who are united by our love for sharing the gospel message with inspired and uplifting song. We take time during rehearsal to share devotions and support each other in prayer. We sing 2-, 3- and 4-part arrangements of music composed by some of the most beloved artists in contemporary Christian music as well as original compositions created especially for choirs just like VOP.

Voices of Praise is open to all ages; just bring your joy of singing and fellowship! VOP rehearses on Thursday evenings at alternating times due to common Ground services. If you would like to join us, please contact Jordan Clawson at jordanclawson@gmail.com.

Our location on the Upper West Side of Manhattan means that many members of Advent are performing arts professionals; many others are aspiring or retired artists who are actively performing. These artists, both singers and instrumentalists, perform regularly in church services, in vocal and orchestral solos, duets and ensembles. Whether you are an accomplished professional or a gifted amateur, Advent Lutheran has a place for you. If you are interested in sharing your musical gifts, please contact Aaron Wunsch (awunsch@gmail.com) or Jordan Clawson (jordanclawson@gmail.com), Advent's Co-Directors of Music.

Brighten your Mondays with inspirational performances by today's most exciting ensembles...for free! Now in its ninth season, Music Mondays offers monthly concerts of great music to the Upper West Side community. Join us after every concert for a casual reception, where you can meet the musicians and visit with other audience members. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free!

• September 26, 2011 - Imani Winds
  Valerie Coleman, flute; Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe; Mariam Adam, clarinet; Jeff Scott, horn; Monica Ellis, bassoon
  www.imaniwinds.com
  
  
• October 24, 2011 - Trio con Brio Copenhagen
  Soo-jin Hong, violin; Soo-kyung Hong, cello; Jens Elvekjaer, piano
  www.trioconbrio.dk
  
  
• November 7, 2011 - Miro Quartet
  Daniel Ching, violin; Will Fedkenheuer, violin; John Largess, viola; Joshua Gindele, cello
  www.miroquartet.com
  
  
• December 12, 2011 - Brentano Quartet
  Mark Steinberg, violin; Serena Canin, violin; Misha Amory, viola; Nina Lee, cello
  www.brentanoquartet.com
  
  
• January 9, 2012 - ECCO
  East Coast Chamber Orchestra
  www.eastcoastchamberorchestra.com
  
  
• February 27, 2012 - Kleine Musik
  Johanna Rose, soprano; Karol Steadman, soprano; Christa Patton, Baroque harp; Nina Stern, recorder; Daphna Mor, recorder; Patricia Ann Neely, viol
  
  
• March 19, 2012 - Sospiro Winds
  Kelli Kathman, flute; Carl Oswald, oboe; Romie de Guise-Langlois, clarinet; Alana Vegter, horn; Adrian Morejon, bassoon
  www.sospirowinds.com
  
  
• April 23, 2012 - In the Kaleidoscope: Music of Sean Shepherd
  The Claremont Trio; Miranda Cuckson, violin; Liang Wang, oboe; Aaron Wunsch, piano
  www.seanshepherd.com
  
  
• May 28, 2012 - Escher Quartet
  Adam Barnett-Hart, violin; Wu Jie, violin; Pierre Lapointe, viola; Dane Johansen, cello
  www.escherquartet.com
  
  

Music Mondays Artistic Director and pianist is one of our co-directors of music, Aaron Wunsch.

Aaron Wunsch

Music Director of the Advent Chorale and Artistic Director of Music Mondays, pianist Aaron Wunsch appears regularly on concert stages throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Performances include the Salle Cortot in Paris, Royal Albert Hall in London, Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York, and several recital tours of China. Also lauded for his "masterful" chamber music performances (Hartford Courant), he has performed with Lynn Harrell, Charles Neidich, Rolf Schulte, and has also worked closely with the composers Charles Wuorinen, Kaija Saariaho, Chen Yi and Steven Stucky. A native of Wisconsin, he studied at Yale, as a Fulbright Scholar at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and is currently a faculty member at The Juilliard School, where he completed his doctorate in 2008. He regularly gives master classes at conservatories and universities throughout Asia, including those in Jakarta, Beijing, Guangzhou, and in Shanghai, where he was 2010 Visiting Professor at Shanghai Normal University.
www.aaronwunsch.com.

Jordan Clawson is a pianist and vocalist living in Manhattan. A Jazz Studies graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Jordan performs jazz, pop and original music and also teaches lessons, arranges, and works with various music programs in the city including the Bronx Arts Ensemble and Little Maestros. Jordan is very excited to be working with the Common Ground planning team, the musicians, and everyone part of the CG family. Please join us for a service and experience a wonderfully unique worship setting. If you'd like to participate in the music-making during the service feel free to email Jordan at jordanclawson@gmail.com anytime- we'd be glad to have you!