Worship Music
Sojourners is blessed with many talented musicians. In addition to the Sojourners Choir which sings twice/month during the school year, there is a rotation of pianists who volunteer their talent to provide accompaniment during the services. And there are others, children and adults, who use their voices or instruments to offer special music on various Sundays. 
A couple of times a year, members of the Charlottesville Women’s Choir, an a cappella group which rehearses here, supplies the music for worship. It’s always a blessing to have them with us.
Sojourners Choir Videos on YouTube
During COVID our choir met on Zoom and created incredible musical videos for our worship time. This library of videos will be cherished by our congregation for years to come. Check out and subscribe to their YouTube Channel here. Or watch individual videos by clicking on the links below.
Bonse Aba, a Zambian folksong in the Bembe language – Pentecost Sunday
Advent Processional (Come, O Rose)
I Believe, by Mark A. Mill – Sojourners Church Choir
Freedom is Coming, South African Freedom Song
The Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter – Sojourners Church Choir
Pianists:
Steve Brinkley has had the privilege of serving God musically in two churches for a combined 33 years – first, as pianist at his home church in South Carolina and then as pianist and music director at the church in Virginia that Jennings Duncan pastored. He enjoys being part of the Sojourners family. Steve majored in economics and in music at the University of Virginia.
Other pianists include: Meghan Wallace, Adrian Duke, and Jane Hansen
Sojourners Choir
Sojourners is blessed with a wonderful and dedicated choir of about eighteen members. In keeping with the inclusive, celebratory character of the church, we sing music from a wide variety of styles and historical periods, ranging from the sixteenth-century Palestrina to the contemporary Brazilian Ernani Aguiar, and including along the way African-American spirituals and gospel songs, African praise and freedom songs, traditional American shape-note hymns, Shaker hymns, and songs from contemporary feminist Jewish composers.
We sing unaccompanied, which is challenging but allows us to focus on listening to one another’s voices. Some of us read music well; some do not read music much at all. We carefully teach each part separately and offer one another plenty of encouragement. We have a lot of fun at rehearsals, drinking tea, eating choir snacks, and laughing together. Everyone is welcome to join at any time.
The choir is blessed with an enormously appreciative congregation. We feel cherished by the congregation, and their regard nourishes us every time we sing.
Congregational Participation
Throughout the year when the choir is not singing, or in the summer when it’s on hiatus, we encourage Sojourners of all ages and levels of ability to enrich our worship experience with their musical talent.
Here’s a sample of what’s been showcased over time:
- Children singing solos
- Families performing instrumental pieces
- Sacred dancers
- Classical music sung a cappella
- Composers performing their original works
- Rapper with violin and guitar accompaniment
The offerings are varied but the enthusiasm of both the artist and the congregation is a given!
Several years ago a few Sojourners started gathering to play instruments and sing together for fun and inspiration. The Sojourners Band performed several times a year for Sunday services and was open to anyone who played any instrument or sang. Songs covered spiritual themes or topics like peace or social justice. Instruments played in the band included string bass, percussion, keyboard, acoustic guitar, dobro, banjo, mountain dulcimer, euphonium, violin, hammer dulcimer, flute and ukulele. Singers enjoyed creating harmonies in all ranges of voice. While there’s no longer a band per se, these congregants and a growing contingent of other musicians, volunteer to perform for worship when the opportunity arises.