Music Ministry at First Church

Express and share your creative gifts in worship! People of all ages are invited to learn, grow and worship together with our congregation by participating in music and creative arts ministries at First Church. You are invited to join a group at any time during the year. Rehearsals are September through early June, except for the MICAH Praise Band and the Underground Band, which meet year-round.

Child Care is provided for all adult vocal and bell choir rehearsals.

Music First, Dessert Second is an annual all-music ministry fund-raising concert. This year's concert will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday afternoon, January 27, at 4:00. A variety of musical genres will be featured, including musical theatre, pop and gospel.

Vocal Choirs

The Alleluia Choir (high school through adult) sings weekly at the 8:30 service (except for the third Sunday of the month). Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:30, in the Choir Room (#214) and Sunday mornings, 8:00-8:25, in the Sanctuary. The Alleluia Choir's repertoire includes music of many types.

The Chancel Choir (high school through adult) sings weekly (except the third Sunday of the month) at the 11:00 traditional service. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00, in the Choir Room (#214) and Sunday mornings, 10:00-10:45, in the Sanctuary. The Chancel Choir sings music of many styles.

Masterworks Chorale (high school through adult) presents major choral works twice yearly at the 11:00 traditional service. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 7:00-8:00, for seven weeks prior to each presentation. (Alleluia and Chancel Choir rehearsals are each shortened by half an hour.) Rehearsals for the December 9 presentation of Charpentier's Messe de Minuit pour Noël will begin October 24. There will also be a rehearsal retreat (with time for dinner) on Friday, November 2, 5:00-9:00 p.m., and a dress rehearsal on Friday, December 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m. The second presentation will be during the Easter season.

Bell Choirs

Archangel Bells (high school through adult) rehearse Tuesday evenings, 5:30-6:30, in the Sanctuary. This group plays at the 8:30 or 11:00 traditional service on the third Sunday of the month, September through June. Archangel Bells is for beginning and more experienced players. Training is available for beginning players.

Seraphim Youth Bells (5th through 12th grades) rehearse Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7:10, in the Sanctuary. This group plays several times throughout the year. It is a bell choir for Youth, with at least one year of bell or instrumental experience encouraged.

 

Angelus Dei Bells (high school through adult) rehearse Tuesday evenings, 7:15-8:45, in the Sanctuary. This group plays at both the 8:30 and 11:00 traditonal services on the third Sunday each month and on Christmas Eve. Angelus Dei is for players with musical and bell playing experience. Please contact Kristin Pack for more information.

Bands

The MICAH Praise Band accompanies congregational singing and leads worship at the 11:00 praise serivce in the MICAH Worship Center. Singers and instrumentalists are asked to contact Kirk Hurd before joining this group.

The Underground Band leads music at the 6:04 p.m. Underground Worship Experience. Singers and instrumentalists are asked to contact Kirk Hurd before joining this group.

The Koinonia Consort prepares music for special worship presentations throughout the year. This group plays renaissance and baroque music on period instruments.

The Collection Plates is a specialty group of six men who share music of all styles in worship and in concert.

Musical Opportunities for Children

Cherubs Choir (3 year olds through 1st grade) rehearses on Sundays, 9:00-9:40 a.m., in the Children's Choir Room (#313). Cherubs sing in worship on the fourth Sunday of the month at the 11:00 traditional service. We learn with singing, games, stories, movement and instruments.

Choristers (2nd through 5th grade) will meet in three sessions this year. The first will be a series of five rehearsals in the fall to prepare for a musical that will be presented on Christmas Eve. We'll meet five times in the winter to explore percussion, recorders and handbells. In the spring we'll meet for a series of six rehearsals to prepare A Technicolor Promise, a musical based on the story of Noah. Join us for one, two or all three sessions! Rehearsals will be Sundays from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., with time included to share lunch together.

Creative Arts Camp is a one-week summer camp for children and youth (4 years old through mid-high) that offers opportunities to grow through drama, music, art and storytelling.

Musical Opportunities for Youth

Seraphim Youth Bells (5th through 12th grades) rehearse Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7:10, in the Sanctuary. This group plays several times throughout the year. It is a bell choir for Youth, with at least one year of bell or instrumental experience encouraged.

High school youth may also join either Archangel Bells or Angelus Dei Bells. Interested youth should contact Kristin Pack.

Creative Arts Camp is a one-week summer camp for children and youth (4 years old through mid-high) that offers opportunities to grow through drama, music, art and storytelling.

Vocal Choirs: Alleluia Choir, Chancel Choir and Masterworks Chorale all welcome high school youth.