"Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances."
~Maya Angelou
A Musical congregation
Building on a rich musical tradition, the Sanctuary Choir enjoys singing together and sharing a wide variety of musical offerings with the congregation. SAPUCC has a Handbell Choir that enchants, professional musicians from our own congregation who inspire, and frequent guest singers and instrumentalists from the wider community who enrich our worship.
We are a musical congregation. I invite all of you in the pews (and on Zoom!) to add your voices, and to experience the deep healing and transformative power of song.
~John Habermann, Choir Director
Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir sings in worship 3 to 4 Sundays per month, and at special services such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Christmas Eve.
The Sanctuary Choir rehearses from 7:00 - 8:30 PM on Wednesday evenings, September through May.
handbell choir
SAPUCC has three octaves of beautiful Schulmerich handbells as well as a three octave set of Petit & Fritzen handbells. Mike Smith directs the Handbell Choir, and the bells play in worship 3 to 4 times per year. The rehearsal schedule is variable; see calendar for details.
Meet the Team
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John Habermann
CHOIR DIRECTOR
Since the age of fifteen, John has served as a musician at several churches that represent a number of denominations. A Vocal Music Teacher since 1996, John spent his first four years at Centennial High School in Circles Pines, Minnesota, and currently teaches at Mounds Park Academy, a preK-12 private, college preparatory school located in St. Paul. John graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota and received his Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas.
A resident of Northeast Minneapolis, John enjoys reading fiction, gardening, playing piano, and spending time with his orange tabby, Oscar. -
Emily Rudquist
ORGANIST/PIANIST
Emily began her career in church music at her home congregation in Deer River, Minnesota. She has since served many congregations around Minnesota, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. She is a current piano faculty member at the MacPhail Center for Music.
Emily holds a Master's Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor's Degree from Gustavus Adolphus College. She spent two years in New Jersey teaching and studying piano pedagogy at The New School for Music Study and is working on her Dalcroze certification. Emily is excited to be back home in Minnesota, surrounded by family and friends. -
Mike Smith
HANDBELL DIRECTOR
Mike has led the Handbell Choir since 1993. He became interested in handbells after performing pieces for choir, handbells, and orchestra in several churches in the Twin Cities.
As a professional double bassist, he is a long-time member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. He has also performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and many other ensembles.
Mike is from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and has a Bachelor of Music Degree from East Carolina University, and a Master of Music Degree from The Ohio State University. His day job is as a luthier, repairing and restoring string instruments and bows. Mike is also a Scout Leader here at Troop 17.
