Music & Arts : First United Methodist Church, Dallas

Music & Arts

In the Arts District of downtown Dallas, FirstChurch offers a thriving and diverse program of music and fine arts including choirs and handbell choirs for all ages, a theatre series producing three plays/musicals annually, and an art gallery with new exhibits every month. There is something for everyone who loves the arts and many ways to become involved both on stage and behind the scenes. For questions, contact Director of Music and Arts Dana Effler.

Choirs for Children & Youth

We share God’s gift of music with our children and youth in a variety of ways. Whether singing or playing an instrument, our children are instructed by music educators who are committed to providing a foundational sacred music education for our children in an engaging, safe and nurturing environment. Two handbell choirs, one musical ensemble and three choirs all rehearse on Sundays. Visit the Variations YouTube Channel to hear more of their music.

Choirs for Adults

The Chancel Choir sings for Sunday worship services and performs major choral works with orchestra. The Choir has toured to England, Canada, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, France and Switzerland giving concerts in such hallowed sacred spaces as St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, St. Nicholas Church in Old Town Prague, and Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Two handbell choirs ring not only for worship services and concerts at FUMC, but also for handbell festivals and performances in the greater Dallas community and beyond. Visit the Chancel Choir YouTube Channel to hear more of their music. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings, and the handbell choirs rehearse on Sundays. Interested in singing? Click here.

Goodrich Gallery

The Goodrich Gallery enriches our church with exhibits featuring the work of gifted local artists. The Gallery is open on Sundays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

August/September Exhibit

The Goodrich Gallery exhibit for August/September features mixed media artwork by Larry Paul Jones.

Meet the Artist on Sunday, August 7 from 12 – 2 p.m. in the gallery.

Artist Statement:

“I was trained in oil painting at the Meadows School of Fine Art at SMU Dallas Texas as an older student. However, I am now interested in assemblage, mélange, brulage, collage, and decollage, and debitage.

I was not in the military, but the Vietnam War greatly affected me.

I was the point man for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Texas State Fairgrounds in Fair Park Dallas Texas. And, like most point men I was blown away. My actions failed to honor the Vietnam Vets in what would be known as Veterans Plaza and with an eternal flame in the Lagoon. Our efforts were too soon after the War was over.

I personally witnessed the notification of a personal friend that their loved one had given their life in Vietnam. These experiences motivated me to put my feelings and thoughts into artwork.

I also attended the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to read the names of 100 Vietnam Veterans who didn’t come back Home.

I like working with different media and processes. I am turned on by combining chroma, hues, and values, creating an interesting edge, and working with layers.

When viewing my art, I want the observer to harvest up their own experiences and thoughts and project them consciously or not on to my art. When asked to express the meaning of a particular work, I often reply, The intention of my work is to let the viewer come to their own conclusions… I prefer not to relinquish my personal thoughts and sway their conceived response.”

Upcoming Exhibits Purchase Artwork

Rotunda Theatre

FirstChurch is home to the Wortley-Peabody Theatre, a fully-outfitted black box theatre in the round that offers many opportunities both on stage and backstage for members and non-members who share a love of the theatre.

Anything Goes!

Tickets & Reservations

All shows requiring reservations will be performed in the Wortley-Peabody Theatre.

Maximum seating capacity for the Wortley-Peabody Theatre: 150

Free productions are produced in the sanctuary. *Sanctuary performance times may vary.

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.*

Box office opens at 6:30 p.m.

Seating begins at 7:00 p.m.

Reserved seats will be held at time of ticketing.

All reservations must be claimed 10 minutes prior to curtain. Reservations not claimed by that time will be released for resale. We reserve the right to seat late arrivals during the first appropriate interval or not at all if no seats are available.

Unused reservations will not be credited toward future productions. No refunds for unused reservations.

During the first Saturday performance of each production in the Wortley-Peabody Theatre, free on-site childcare is provided by the Developmental Learning Center (DLC) which is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Child-Care Licensing Division.

Reservations must be made at least one day prior to the performance. Please contact Tim Effler in Music and Arts at 214-220-2727, ext. 220.

Parking Information

Free parking is available at the meters after 6:00 p.m. Pay for parking in parking tower on the southeast corner of Harwood and San Jacinto.

For more information please contact Tim Effler in Music and Arts at 214-220-2727, ext. 220.