Music
The music ministry of First Presbyterian Church has a long history of presenting fine traditional and contemporary sacred music. On any given Sunday, you are likely to experience multicultural music and contemporary praise and worship music as well as traditional sacred music. Various choral and instrumental ensembles regularly accompany our hymns and perform special music throughout the year.
We are always eager to welcome new musicians to our music ministry. Each ensemble provides an opportunity to help lead our church's worship, to be involved in a caring community, to learn and experience many types of music and, of course, to just have fun.
We proud owners of numerous instruments found throughout the church building. In the sanctuary every Sunday we hear our 3-manual, 32-rank, 1956 Moeller pipe organ, which underwent a console renovation in 2004, which included a solid-state electronic system and MIDI capability. Also in the sanctuary is our 9' Baldwin concert grand piano. Added to the mix are numerous percussion instruments from around the world that add a special touch to the world music and other songs that are integral parts to our worship as the church universal.
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150
Click to jump to the following groups:
Choir
copper coins
Gloria Ringers
Sanctuary Brass
Special Music
Choir
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The mainstay of our music program is the Sanctuary Choir. We welcome all singers high school-aged on up. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 from September thru May and warm-up each Sunday morning at 10:30. We prepare and sing an anthem each Sunday throughout the year and occasionally present extended works. In the past we have performed major works such as Vivaldi's Gloria, John Rutter's Requiem, Fauré's Requiem and many others. On Sunday, April 22nd, during the regular morning worship, we will present Ancient Faith Sung A New: A Celebration of Living Hymn Writers. Click here for more information. During Advent, we hope to perform the late Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata with double brass choir during morning worship and as a concert. Come back frequently for choir news! For more information, please contact Gayle Stevens. |
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copper coins is First Presbyterian Church's worship band. Established in 2001, this musical group seeks to give glory to God through the gift of our music. We draw from a body of music that includes world and folk tunes, traditional hymn settings, contemporary praise music and orchestral renditions of Christian melodies. copper coins is a reference to Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus tells his disciples that the poor widow's offering of two copper coins is greater than the large offerings of the rich men because she gave all that she had; she held nothing back. Like the widow in the scripture, we seek to give praise and honor to our God through the gifts that He has given to us, specifically, our musical gifts. We continually strive to be the musicians God wants us to be and we pray that He will be glorified through our music. copper coins provides musical leadership for regular Worship services on a monthly basis. We can also be heard offering special music at the earlier of our church's Christmas Eve Worship services. From time to time we supply music for other church special events such as hymn festivals and "Worship Band Sunday". We currently have 8-10 regular members but our philosophy is "the more, the merrier!" Musicians of all instruments, ages and abilities are welcome to join copper coins on a full or part-time basis; all who seek to praise God musically are welcome. Rehearsals are held September-May, Tuesday evenings at 7pm in the Sanctuary. God has truly blessed First Presbyterian Church with many fine musicians throughout its Music Department and now God is now calling us to share our gifts with those outside our walls. After more than five years together, members of copper coins have accepted the call to take our music on the road and share it with congregations who would like to add special music to their worship services. Anyone interested in copper coins is encouraged to contact our coordinator, Sue Downing, for more information. |
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Gloria Ringers
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Gloria Ringers is the handbell choir at First Presbyterian Church. This very dedicated and busy choir rings monthly in worship services. Smaller groups of ringers frequently ring with hymn singing and choir anthems. Gloria Ringers rings on 5 octaves of Schlumerich handbells and 3 octaves of Malmark choirchimes. We ring a variety of traditional and contemporary handbell music. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evening from 6:15-7:30. New ringers are always welcome and are mentored by an experienced choir member. For more information contact Sue Stehulak. |
 
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Sanctuary Brass
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Several members of our congregation are talented brass players. From time to time some or all of them and they will accompany an anthem or congregational singing. This group meets on an ad hoc basis but we would encourage anybody who would like to play to let us know of your interest. Currently we have trumpets, trombones and an occasional horn player. When we rehearse, it is usually on Sunday mornings before worship and with the Sanctuary choir on Wednesday if we are performing with them. Please talk to Gayle Stevens if you are interested in playing. |
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Special Music
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During the summer our regular ensembles do not meet. Therefore, during the months of June, July and August we are always looking for vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles (duets, trios, quartets, etc.) to add special music to our worship services, filing the gap of the regular ensembles. If you are a soloist, have an ensemble or would be interested in joining one, contact the special music coordinator, Sue Downing. |
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