Music
First United Methodist Church of Mason City has a long
history of appreciating the importance of music in the worship experience. To this day, the people of the church continue to support and enjoy an active music presence through the many volunteers that commit to making music in our ensembles, through solo and small groups, by our staff, and through supporting guest musicians. Below you will learn a little bit more about our current music
ministries.
Chancel Choir
The organization that has served the church the longest is our Chancel Choir. The choir has been providing music at FUMC for many, many decades. This choir sings anthems and cantatas in a variety of musical styles and also performs a key role in leading the congregation in hymns. Chancel Choir rehearsals take place each Wednesday from September through May at 5:15 to 6:15pm in the sanctuary. Interested singers are invited to come try out the choir at any time during the season.
Jubilee Ringers
The Jubilee Ringers are an adult handbell ensemble that
plays in worship services regularly. The Ringers have been in existence for many years and have participated in numerous special events and tours. Jubilee Ringers rehearse on Wednesdays from 6:15-7:00pm from September through May. Anyone with even minimal music reading abilities can quickly learn to ring, as this group warmly welcomes and assists new members.
Beyond Praise
Formed in early 2022, Beyond Praise is our newest ensemble. This group explores many types of spiritual music: contemporary Christian, praise, gospel, traditional, world music, and more. Singers and instrumentalists are welcome. Beyond Praise currently rehearses monthly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:15pm and sings for
worship services once or twice each month.
Instruments
First Church is fortunate to have a large, versatile pipe organ to serve as the primary instrument of praise for our worship experiences. It is a 3-manual, 44-rank instrument built and installed in 1980. The organ has 2,447 individual pipes with the chimes being the only parts re-used from a previous 1930s-era organ. More information on our organ can be found here. The sanctuary, The WAYside Chapel, Fellowship Hall, and many classrooms and meeting rooms are equipped with grand pianos, upright pianos, and/or digital keyboards. We also regularly employ a variety of percussion and other instruments in our worship services.
Scott Blankenbaker
Director of Music
Scott joined the FUMC family in November 2022 and directs the Chancel Choir, Jubilee Ringers, and Beyond Praise, as well as
Show More
serving as primary organist/pianist and music coordinator. Scott is also the head of the music department at Riverland Community College in Austin, MN. His church background is United Methodist, but has also attended and worked in Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Lutheran, and Catholic churches. Scott holds an M.M. from Kansas State University, a B.A. in Ed. from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and has completed additional graduate work in the fields of music and psychology.
Lisa Nelson
Accompanist
In September 2023, Lisa joined the staff as the accompanist for the Chancel Choir and other ensembles, as needed.
Show More
Lisa has a great deal of experience as a church musician, having served a number of years at Forest City (IA) United Methodist Church as well as Lutheran churches in Iowa and Nebraska. Lisa holds a B.A. in Music and Religion from St. Olaf College.