Music at Peace Lutheran Church

Music enlivens our souls!

Adela PeevaThe Music Director at Peace is Dr. Adela Peeva. Dr. Peeva was born in Bulgaria and graduated with a DMA in Collaborative Piano and Chamber Music from the University of Miami, Florida in May 2008. She also holds a Master of Choral Conducting with a cognate in Organ from The Florida International University in Miami, FL. In addition Adela holds a Master Degree in Choral Conducting from the Bulgarian State Music Academy. She has more than 11 years of professional Church Music experience, which includes seven years as Music Director at Unity Church of Delray Beach, FL. She describes her thoughts about the role of music in worship as follows: “Music is a divine art that touches the innermost of our spiritual universe. Music makes us feel deeper empowered by and … connected with God. It provides an inexplicable sensation of encounter with God and creates in each human soul a sacred space of a Holy presence.”

Peace has a variety of vocal and instrumental groups that provide music for worship and other occasions.

Choirs

Voices of Peace is a traditional church vocal choir that provides music leadership for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service two or three times a month. The choir sings both classical and more contemporary anthems and hymn arrangements. Choir members occasionally provide special music as soloists or in small groups during the summer services when the full choir is on break.  Voices of Peace practice Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. September through May.

Messengers of Peace is a contemporary choral group that leads the service on the third Sunday of each month and provides music for other special occasions. The music ranges from ancient and folk music to contemporary standards, and includes music from a variety of countries and cultures.  Messengers practice Monday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
The Children’s Choir offers special music at the 10:30 a.m. worship service every month. Rehearsals for this group are conducted as a part of the Sunday school class.

Children's choirBells

Peace has two performing handbell choirs that are open to youth and adults and two or more training choirs for children. Performing choirs play once each month, on festival and holiday services, and in a spring concert. Although we do not audition for the handbell choirs, one choir, the Bells of Peace, plays more challenging music, while music for the other choir, Bells con Brio, is tailored to the abilities of the ringers. Peace has five octaves of Schulmerich handbells and five octaves of Malmark choir chimes. The number and types of children’s choirs depends on the numbers and ages of the children. Training on choir chimes often begins in first grade; children are introduced to handbells in the third or fourth grade. The children’s handbell choirs rehearse Sunday mornings.

Ethiopian choirOther Music at Peace

Talented instrumentalists who are members of Peace often share their music with us. Those who attend the Amharic Service often sing at the 10:30 service to celebrate Ethiopian Christmas.  In addition, an auditioned brass choir, The Brass of Peace, is composed of high school musicians from throughout the metropolitan area. They give both a spring and fall concert at Peace, and twice per year provide music for our worship service.

Come, join us; make a joyful noise unto the Lord

 

6362 Lincolnia Road, Alexandria, Virginia, 22312