Chicago Temple Music Ministry and Fine Arts Staff

Erik Nussbaum

Erik Nussbaum, Director of Music and the Arts 

Since 2004, Erik has witnessed and helped to lead the Temple’s music and arts programs through one of the richest artistic times in the Temple’s vast and diverse history.  It is an amazing honor and blessing for him to make music with so many talented and dedicated Christians.  The Temple Choir has premiered five of his choral works, including a Lenten setting of “The Lord’s Prayer,” Christmas works “Crib Hymn” and an “Ave Maria,” and most recently “Blessed Are,” a setting of The Beatitudes.  Erik is a graduate of Knox College (’93) and Westminster Choir College (’96).

Barry J. Wenger, Principal Organist

Kelly Tiebout, Gospel Choir Director

David Myford – Temple Strings Director

Jeffrey Taylor – Children’s Music

Jon Kaplan – W.D.W. Fine Arts Committee Chair

Charles Emmons & Kwang Oh – Co-Directors, Temple Winds

E.M. Skinner Organ Info

View history

Chicago Temple Choir

Led by eight section leaders, the 35-voice Temple Choir continues to grow.  The choir learns and sings music from all eras of music history and from many of the world’s cultures that is appropriate for both the season and the liturgy of the day.  Our repertoire is vast and worldly, and we sing in many languages.  The choir enhances our worship greatly by leading in hymn singing, presenting anthems, and often solos every Sunday during the 11:00am service.  Rehearsals are every Wednesday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the 3rd Floor Choir Room.

Chicago Temple Choir Section Leaders

The Choir’s section leaders are:  Julia Tarlo and Karen Nussbaum, soprano; Elizabeth Blanke and Brenna Boncosky, alto; Adam Doe and Jim Parsons, tenor; and Lucas Wood and Bob Trautvetter, bass.  The section leader octet sings together in worship at 8:30am for the second, fourth, and fifth Sundays of each month.  However, it is because of their excellence as soloists that they are most admired and enjoyed by our congregation.  Being a section leader requires a commitment of one year, and they are called upon regularly to sing for weddings, memorials, and other special events in the artistic life of the Temple.      

Gospel Choir

The 12-voice Gospel Choir sings the authentic music of the African-American tradition, past and present.  They learn music in the oral tradition and rarely use printed music.  The ensemble sings during the 8:30am worship service on the first and third Sunday of each month.  They rehearse every Tuesday evening from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the 3rd Floor Choir Room.  They are led by Kelly Tiebout at the piano, Brad Opland on bass, and Charlie Braugham on drumset.  The choir is anchored by a section leader quartet:  Jennifer Booth, soprano; Denise Yates, alto; Pierre Brookins, tenor; R. Uvon Tucker, bass.

Temple Strings

The Temple Strings are led by violinist David Myford, and sustained by amateurs of various age and skill level.  They provide excellent music for worship in a variety of ways throughout the year:  as soloists, as an ensemble, and as a chamber ensemble supporting a soloist or the choir.  They rehearse regularly either at 9:30am or at 12:15pm in the 3rd Floor Choir Room on Sundays, as arranged by their director.

Temple Winds

The Temple Winds are led by oboist Charles Emmons, Jr., and include flute, clarinet, bassoon, and horn players.  Rehearsals occur seasonally as arranged by their director, usually at 12:15pm on Sundays.

Temple Handbell Ensemble

The majority of the Temple’s eleven-member Handbell Ensemble have been playing together for eight years.  They play a wide variety of sacred music with a 3 octave set of Schulmerich Brass bells and 3 octaves of Suzuki hand chimes.  They rehearse on Monday evening from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and play in worship for the 11:00am service on the second Sunday of each month. Erik Nussbaum is the director.

Temple Young Musicians (Preschool – 3rd Grade)

Music for children is led by Jeffrey Taylor every Sunday morning.   Children K-3rd grade meet in the fourth floor music room at 9:30.   Mr. Jeff teaches singing and engages the children with rhythm using percussion instruments.   Preschoolers have their own music time during the Sunday School period.  The children present music in worship on Children’s Sabbath (fall), Children’s Nativity (December), African American History Month (February), Palm Sunday and Mother’s Day.

Youth Music (4th-12th Grade)

Older children and youth participate in the Children’s Nativity as singers, readers, narrators and actors.   They have other opportunities to share their musical talents in worship services during the year, and instrumentalists are encouraged to do so.   Erik Nussbaum and Jeffrey Taylor coordinate youth music in worship.  Teenagers may sing in the Chicago Temple Choir or Summer Choir with permission of the director.