Music
First Pres Music Director, Robert Nicholls, is The National Competition in Organ Improvisation 2012 winner! The following is an interview with Robert that was featured in The American Organist February, 2013 issue:
First Pres Choir Performs at UE Basketball Game
Ford Center, Wednesday, February 20th, 2013
First Pres Choir Performs at Central Library
on Sunday, December 16th, 2012
Adam Lay Ybounden
Matin Responsory
Noel Nouvelet, Sans Day Carol, Once in Royal David's City
The Infant King, The Holly and the Ivy, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,
Patapan
Ding Dong Merrily on High, The Blessed Son of God, Torches
Hark The Herald Angel Sings
Phantom
First Pres Director of Music, Robert Nicholls, brought to life the 1925 classic silent movie, Phantom of the Opera, on Friday, October 19th, 2012. The sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church was transformed into a movie theater (with a few Halloween touches), as Robert improvised the soundtrack to the entire movie on the Fisk Organ:
The Choir School of First Presbyterian Church is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music in America (RSCMA) and gives children and adults unique experience in the English Cathedral Tradition. In addition to weekly worship leadership, the choir has made recordings and meets up with other RSCM choirs in our region. The Choir School has given performances in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Kentuckyand the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The Choir School meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. See the Choir School 2012 - 2013 schedule. For more information on the Royal School of Church Music in America, visit their website: http://rscmamerica.org/.
Messiah
Hear the performance of Handel's Messiah:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Listen to a performance of Rise Up, My Love (Willan) by the First Pres Choir on April 29th, 2012:
The PYE:Presbyterian Youth Explosion Choir and Bells play in worship on the first Sunday of the month. Through music education and teamwork, the handbells and choir lead the congregation in joyful praise and celebration. We also have an Adult hand bell choir. We have four octaves of Malmark hand bells, and three octaves of Malmark Chimes.
A Handbell perfomance at First Pres on Sunday, March 10th, 2013
The Flute Choir brings together flautists of every age and ability in an ensemble that leads the worship of God's people. From celebratory sounds to reflective melodies, the Flute Choir adds to worship.
A performance by the First Pres Flute Choir on Sunday, November 11th, 2012
The Tower Choir is the music activity for children in Kindergarten and First Grade. During a 45-minute class on Thursday afternoons in PYE (Presbyterian Youth Explosion) we move, learn the basics of music, and learn simple songs to sing in church. The Tower Choir sings in Worship once a month, normally on the second Sunday.
Listen to a performance by the First Pres Tower Choir on May 6th, 2012:
"PYE: Presbyterian Youth Explosion" is our Thursday after-school program that meets throughout the school year, beginning at 3:30 p.m., Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade children join together to support one another on the journey of faith. Through education, creative arts and music, "PYE" is a partnership of discovery. Grades 2 through 8 sing and play handbells and help to lead worship musically on selected Sundays through the year.
A performance by the First Pres Chimers on Sunday, November 18th, 2012:
Fisk Organ
The musical centerpiece of sanctuary worship is the C. B. Fisk pipe organ, Op. 98.
Guest Musicians
First Pres welcomed Mark Moliterno to lead a YogaVoice® workshop on Saturday, January 19th. Mr. Moliterno lead the First Pres choir on Sunday morning, January 20th:
