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

The Chancel Choir is the primary musical ensemble providing weekly worship leadership. 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. Membership in the choir is open to all and registration can be made by contacting Dr. Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler.

Pinnacle Pealers

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

Children's Ensembles

Ringing Choirs

Cholla Chimers (Kindergarten - 2nd Grade)

Cholla Chimers is the handchime choir for all first and second graders. The group rings for Sunday worship several times throughout the year as well as participates in the Christmas pageant and other special events. Additional information and registration can be made by contacting Thomas Strawser.

Canyon Ringers (Grades 3–5)

Canyon Ringers is the handbell choir for those students in grades 3–5. Some previous ringing experience is a plus but not required to ring in this choir. The group rings for Sunday worship several times throughout the year as well as participates in the Christmas pageant and other special events. Additional information and registration can be made by contacting Thomas Strawser.

Singing Choirs

Pre-K

For more information, contact Samantha Jorgensen.

PKC (Pinnacle Kids' Choir,
Kindergarten - Grade 2)

This is the singing choir for children ages 5–7 (K through Grade 2). In this choir, children will learn beginning vocal and rhythm skills and musicianship through musical games and activities. Students will learn hymns, rounds, and one or two-part songs by ear to sing in the 10am Sunday worship services throughout the year. Cholla Choir also participates in the Christmas pageant, the Christmas Eve Service, and other special events. For more information, contact Samantha Jorgensen .

Canyon Singers (Grades 3–5)

This is the singing choir for children in grades 3-5. This choir learns beginning sight-reading, and vocal and rhythm skills through musical activities. Students will also have the opportunity to explore their individual musicianship by singing in small groups, solos, and duets. The Canyon Singers sing one or two-part songs in the 10 am Sunday morning worship throughout the year, as well as participate in the Christmas pageant, the Christmas Eve Service, and other special events. For more information, contact Samantha Jorgensen .

student registration

Youth Ensembles

Steel Drums/African Drums

This new and exciting ensemble will have you playing island style in no time! Members will learn a variety of musical styles including calypso, reggae, and the samba. In addition to performing on the pan, members will study the history of Trinidad and how the pan was created. The fall will be spent concentrating on steel drums exclusively and in the spring Africa Drums will be introduced in addition to more Steel Drumming. Ages 6 - Adults. Additional information and registration can be made by contacting Thomas Strawser.

Youth Handbell Ensemble (Grades 6–12)

Pinnacle's Youth Handbell Ensemble is the ringing group for students in grades 6–12. Some previous ringing or music reading experience is preferred but not required to ring in this ensemble. The group rings for Sunday worship several times throughout the year as well as participates in Christmas Eve and other special events. Additional information and registration can be made by contacting Thomas Strawser.

Sonoran Youth Choir (Grades 6–12)

The Sonoran choir is for enthusiastic students in grades 6-12 who love to sing! This fun, inclusive choir focuses on learning basic vocal techniques and cultivating individual singing styles. The choir learns songs of various styles, including Gospel, Classical, Contemporary Christian, Jazz, and A cappella, and sings in the morning worship services throughout the year. Though sheet music is used, students are not required to read music. Additional information and registration can be made by contacting Thomas Strawser.

student registration

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.