Salem UMC Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir, aka Chancel Choir aka The Choir has been a part of the church at Salem–Benton since… well, since time began. Carol (Ulmer) Rushing remembers as a 7th grader during the 1950s, that the choir was “just an off-the-cuff sort of thing. The “big girls,” Johnnie Ruth (Bray) Sossamon, Joann (Samples) Stanfill and Gloria (Ulmer) Sims always “went up.” Bro. Kenneth Goode began the practice of the choir singing anthems. He was the first one to order The Choir Herald folio.
Former musicians, saints who have died in the faith and in service of the church’s music are Pauline Weger, Rev. Kenneth Goode, Rev. George Wayne Martin, Mary Elizabeth Jordan, Rudolph Kull, Waneta Long, Nancy Cook, Eudene Brown, Dean Bell, Kathy Shirron, Barbara Loy, Martha Couch, Hugh Bragg, Mr. and Mrs. Perciful and Cub Baer.
Others who have played instruments, directed, or sung in the choir at one time or another include Celeste Letchworth, Sue Laney, Rebecca Helm, Tina Majeski, Langdon Jones, Wilma Grimmett, Paula (Grimmett) Faught, Debbie (Goodwin) Grimmett, Janie Wilmoth, John Pelton, Jr., Jim Sr. and Irene Kane, Peggy Hardin, Valerie Bryant, Patti Fullington, Charlisa Parker, Joyce Carpenter, Annette Meyers, Kathy Turpin, Paul and Virginia Gould, Mirom Garbett, Liz (Gatlin) Freeze, Marge Englehart, Debbie Jones, Beth, Cord and Pat Vaughan.
Also, Sudie (Goode), Donna Stone, Lydia and Stephanie Cheatham, Chris Hoggard, Janice Chism, Willene Deaton, Gara Land, Virginia Martin, Linda Brockinton, Annamarie Paulus, Thurman, Bill and Guy Couch, Barbara (Couch) Stefan, Beverly (Couch) Villines, Jon Cook, Bob Wolley, Robert and Mary Lou Scott, Alberta and Elizabeth Kull, Glen Ford, Richard Harter, Cliff Roberts, Clarice McGrew, Carissa Rushing, Mary Ann (Pelton) Seibert, Belinda (Pelton) Price, Zetha (and Ruth Ellen) Bone, John Shirron and Kathy Nikkel.
This present choir is not about numbers but about helping lead in meaningful worship through singing. The members give their best “to the Master.” Sopranos include Bettye Bragg, Laura Cross, Donna Harrell, Anne Henson, Carol Rushing, Jenny Johnston and Carla Fish. Altos are Frances Pelton, Carolyn Hoggard, Jaime Borden and Mary Jane Dove. Tenors are Tom Wolfe and Dan Allbritton. Basses are Lynn Hoggard and James West.
Anyone is welcome to become a part of this choir.
The Sanctuary choir has a wide range of repertoire, from ancient classics (Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming) to contemporary (Holy Ground, I Love You, Lord). The group is dedicated to attending both the church services and rehearsals.
The group usually leads the final service of Campmeeting, and participates in the nightly choir. The choir has sung at Wright’s Chapel’s First Saturday-Night gospel singings.
When requested, the group also sings at funerals.