Celebrating the Creative Spirit

The Music Ministry at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church is a place to deepen your connection with God, explore and strengthen your individual creativity, and celebrate the Creator through the glorious gift of music. Singers, ringers, instrumentalists, and listeners — young, old, and in between — all have a place in the music ministry at Pinnacle. So whether you’re interested in joining one of our ensembles or experiencing the incredible music of the Pinnacle Concert Series, we are sure there is something for you.

Leadership

Dr. Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler
Director of Ministries in Music and Arts / Organist

Thomas W. Strawser
Music Associate / Director of Youth & Children’s Music

Jonathan Lang
Accompanist and Choir Assistant

Samantha Jorgensen
Children’s Choir Director

Dr. Sonja Branch
Director of the Steel Drums and African Drums Ensembles

Benjamin Sidoti
Pinnacle Organ Scholar 2023/2024

Staff singers:
Schae Chapman, Soprano
Samantha Jorgensen, Mezzo-soprano
Thomas W. Strawser, Tenor
Brady Larson, Bass

Chancel Choir
Wednesdays @ 7 - 8:30 pm
The Chancel Choir is the primary musical ensemble providing weekly worship leadership from September through May. Its role is to lead and encourage congregational singing and to present inspirational anthems of prayer, praise and devotion. In addition to singing at Sunday and special worship services, the choir prepares and presents larger choral works with a variety of instrumental ensembles throughout the season. If you are interested in participating and would like to learn more please contact Dr. Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler.

Pinnacle Pealers
Wednesdays @ 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Pinnacle Pealers is the adult handbell ensemble. The group regularly performs at Sunday worship services and for special events in the church and in the community. No previous handbell experience is necessary in order to join the group, but the ability to read music and commit to a weekly rehearsal is strongly encouraged. Additional information and registration can be made by contacting Thomas Strawser.

Children's Ensembles

Preschool Music Program (Pre-K & Kindergarten)
Sundays (during the Sunday School Pinnacle Kids time at 10:15 a.m. & Little Sunshine Playtime at 11:30 a.m.)

The time with our preschoolers and kindergarteners is meant to introduce them to how to play together and connect musically. We explore music through the use of simple songs, body movements and small percussion instruments. Our youngest musicians join the older children in occasional song presentations during Sunday worship. To learn more about the program please contact Thomas Strawser or Samantha Jorgensen.

Children’s Music Program (1st - 5th Grade)
Sundays @ 11:30 am -12:15 pm

Our 1st-5th Grade music class offers children an opportunity to discover ensemble music making through handbells, chimes, percussion instruments, and singing. Children are encouraged to explore music, express their creativity, learn basic music skills, enjoy teamwork and sharing music with others. The group occasionally participates in Sunday worship including Christmas Eve and Easter, and offers an annual Christmas pageant. For additional information, please contact Thomas Strawser or Samantha Jorgensen.

Youth Ensemble

Steel Drums | African Drums | Handbells (6th - 12th Grade)
Middle School (6th - 8th Grade) - Sundays @ 12:15 - 1 pm
High School (9th - 12th Grade) - Sundays @ 1 - 2 pm

The 6th-12th grade music program is a chance for middle and high school students to experience musical growth, meaningful performances, and creative collaboration. Students are taught a wide range of music styles through steel and African drumming, handbells and chimes, and singing. The group drums, rings, and sings at several Sunday worships and special events throughout the year, and goes on the Music & Mission trips out of state. For additional information, please contact Thomas Strawser.

Pinnacle Concert Series

A Musical Favorite in the High Sonoran Desert
Each year the Pinnacle Concert Series presents a new season of outstanding performances. Concerts like Celebration of Christmas, Phantom of the Organ, and Veterans Day Tribute are well-known and popular annual traditions in the community. In addition, the highest quality local and national professional groups like Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Chorale, Arizona Musicfest, Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Luther College Nordic Choir, The Concordia Choir, and others, present their concerts in the gorgeous Pinnacle Sanctuary. For complete information visit the Pinnacle Concert Series website.
Pinnacle Concerts are FREE of charge and are held in the Sanctuary unless otherwise noted.

Sing for Life Chorus

Sing for Life Chorus is a community choir designed for those suffering from the memory loss with early to mid-stage dementia and their care partners, who are living in their homes or chosen communities. Singers are accompanied by a consistent care partner. The chorus is led by specially trained music professionals and rehearses weekly and performs public concerts several times a year. Click here to learn more.

Organ Scholar Program

Pinnacle Presbyterian Church has established the Organ Scholar Program in order to fulfill our responsibility to grow, nurture, and teach faithful young people who will be musical leaders in the church. Our unique setting and staff have gifts to offer young musicians: a high quality music program, numerous ensembles and performance opportunities, a breadth of musical and worship styles, a strong history of excellence in worship and service to the community, and respected pastors and musicians who love to teach.
The Pinnacle Organ Scholar will receive training in organ, piano, and conducting, will gain practical experience by performing a selected schedule of worship services, accompanying ensembles, participating in the Pinnacle Concert Series concerts, and will learn the rudiments of worship planning and administrative duties of a church musician.
The program is audition-based and open to exceptional high schoolers, college students, and recent graduates of undergraduate and graduate organ/church music programs. For more information, please contact Dr. Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler.

Pinnacle Organ Scholar 2023/2024 - Benjamin Sidoti