Joyful Sound Christian Music began as a dream in the mind of its founder and director, Dr. Robert G. Nohavec. In 1974, Dr. Nohavec (who was then residing in Rapid City, SD) attended a contemporary gospel music concert presented by the "Celebration", a touring vocal ensemble from Marion Christian College in Indiana. "They sang to a reel-to-reel track performed by an orchestra in England," says Nohavec. "I was absolutely awestruck by their performance, and I envisioned one day being part of a Christian ministry based on this type of gospel music."

His dream began to take form when he moved to Salt Lake City in the fall of 1977. He was appointed to the position of choir director at Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) in August of that year, and in February of 1978 he gathered 8 select members of his choir together for the first rehearsal of a new vocal ensemble. "We were given a room in the basement near the furnace room for our rehearsal facility. We had no piano, only a tape recorder, but it was in that humble environment that the Joyful Sound was born."

The early years were challenging. Since recorded tracks were not yet available, Dr. Nohavec arranged some selections and recruited several members from his National Guard unit, the 23rd Army Band, to spend an evening at a local recording studio. "We didn't have violins or flutes; instead, we had brass, saxophones, drums, string bass, and piano. It sounded more like a dance band than an orchestra, but it was our first 'track' and we thought it sounded great!"

Their first steps were agonizingly slow, limited to providing special music for worship services at CUMC. Two of the original membership left and had to be replaced. But finally, in the spring of 1980, the Joyful Sound was invited to present two selections at a neighboring church "and we were on our way."

But, the journey was to be short-lived. In 1982, Dr. Nohavec resigned his position as choir director in order to take a work assignment in Saudi Arabia. The Joyful Sound "went into hibernation." Soon after his return in 1984, Dr. Nohavec accepted a position as choir director at Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sandy. "I discovered that one of the original Joyful Sound members had transferred her membership to that church, and together we began to plan for the resurrection of the dream." That resurrection came in the fall of 1986, and soon thereafter the Joyful Sound was again engaged in bringing their special ministry to church congregations in the Salt Lake valley.

In the ensuing years, the Joyful Sound began to mature. By now, recorded tracks were becoming readily available and Dr. Nohavec worked diligently at arranging music for the ensemble. A summer ministry was initiated in 1989. Live musicians replaced the recorded tracks for a brief time in the mid-90's, but "we found that those to whom we were ministering seemed more comfortable with the sound of orchestral strings than strumming guitars." So, the recorded tracks were reinstituted.

In January of 1997, the ministry took another big step by incorporating as an independent Christian music ministry under a new name Joyful Sound Christian Music, Inc. Under this new name, a mission statement was formulated to specify the goals and objectives of this music ministry. In the fall of that year, they added a new ensemble to the fold, the BELLS OF JOYFUL SOUND, a full-blown handbell choir of 11 individuals dedicated to "ringing out the magnificent glory of God." This new ensemble, also directed by Dr. Nohavec, presented their first musical offering in November of that year, and since that time has appeared in many churches in the Salt Lake area. "It certainly has added a new dimension to our ministry," says Nohavec. "Worshippers seem to find special inspiration from the sound of handbells rung in His praise in their sanctuaries."

On September 19, 2004, the JOYFUL SOUND gave its final performance with their conducting of two entire services of worship at their sponsoring church, Mountain Vista United Methodist Church of West Valley, Utah. As might be expected, it was a time of high emotion for all members of the ensemble. "We've had a great ministry for the past 26 years, "said Bob Nohavec. "The Lord has blessed our efforts through the years, and we're pleased to have served him well for such a long time. We thank all who have helped us with their prayers and contributions during the history of our service."

However, the vocal portion of the ministry was not to die. For in the late fall of 2004, JOY4HIM, a men's gospel quartet and a portion of the original ministry, began rehearsals. And in the spring of 2005, this ensemble presented their musical offerings at several churches in the area. The ensemble continued until the fall of 2006, presenting its final performance at its home church.

Today, Joyful Sound Christian Music has the BELLS OF JOYFUL SOUND as its sole ministry, a five-octave handbell choir of 11 women and 2 men. Presently, they rehearse at their sponsoring church, Granger Community Church, in West Valley, Utah. "After having rehearsed at several retirement centers in the valley and at Mountain Vista United Methodist Church, we're pleased to be located here at this facility," reports Nohavec. "We trust that it will be our home for some time to come."

And so, the dream that began in 1974 after a concert in a small church in Rapid City, South Dakota, and first materialized in a Salt Lake church basement rehearsal room in the spring of 1978 continues to flourish today. "Frankly," says Nohavec "I have no idea where this will lead or when it will end. We are simply His instruments. And as long as He continues to lead us to do His will, we will continue to serve Him. It is truly a 'joyful' calling!"

Last Update: October 28, 2007