MUSIC MINISTRY
CHANCEL CHOIR
The choir, directed by Dr. John Alexander, leads in the 11 am Sanctuary service on Sundays. It sings larger choral works and musically celebrates the church year with special emphasis on All Saints’ Day, Christmas Eve, and Good Friday Tenebrae services, in addition to a Lessons and Carols service each December as a part of our A Little Advent Music series. The choir gathers for social events at least twice a year and is a supportive and fun group. Members represent a wide variety of ages and musical abilities. New members are always welcome! For high school through adult. Rehearses Wednesdays, 7:15-8:30 pm in Smith 301, and Sundays, 10 am in the Sanctuary.
REJOICE! ENSEMBLE
The Rejoice! Ensemble leads eclectic music for weekly 9 am Rejoice! services and other special services and events. If you like to sing or play an instrument, give it a try! Interested vocalists and instrumentalists are invited to contact Will Edwards.
HANDBELL CHOIRS
We have two handbell choirs for adults.
- Westminster Ringers plays a variety of beginning and intermediate level music and plays in Sanctuary services several times a year. Rehearses Mondays, 4:45 – 5:45 pm, Smith 301. Led by Dr. John Alexander.
- Coventry Ringers is a more advanced group which plays during worship services several times a year, including special services such as Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday. Rehearses Tuesdays, 5:45 – 7 pm, Smith 301. Led by Dr. John Alexander.
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS
Groups for ages 4-8th grade rehearse on Wednesday evenings September-May and sing in worship several times a year.
- Cherub Choir learns about music in a fun environment as they sing and play instruments and musical games. For ages 3 (by August 31) to Kindergarten. Meets 5-5:30 pm, Corl 303. Teacher is Dr. Anne Albert.
- Credo Choir explores a variety of musical styles. They learn about steady beat, note reading/rhythm skills, healthy vocal tone, and other beginning musical skills. For Grades 1-2. Meets 5-5:30 pm, Smith 301. Teacher is Dr. John Alexander.
- Canticle Choir builds upon earlier musical experiences and provides a fun environment to develop musical skills. Note/rhythm reading, score reading, part singing, and healthy vocal production are emphasized. For Grades 3-12. Meets 5:30-6:30 pm, Smith 301. Teacher is Dr. John Alexander.
OUR ORGANS
FPC has three wonderful organs built by Orgues Létourneau Limitée and J. Allen Farmer, Inc. In addition to worship, they are played regularly in concerts by local and national artists.
- The Sanctuary organ, built by Orgues Létourneau Limitée of Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, was installed in 2000. It contains more than 6,800 pipes divided into two instruments: a Chancel Organ of 86 stops and a Gallery Organ of 30 stops. Several divisions are under expression (Swell, Choir, Solo and Gallery Swell) while the remainder is unenclosed. Crowning the Chancel Organ is the Tuba Mirabilis, under 20 inches of wind pressure. The Gallery Organ has a Trompette-en-chamade placed horizontally at the top of the case below the rose window. The entire organ is controlled by a four-manual and pedal console and the Gallery Organ is controlled by a two-manual and pedal console. Both are constructed of red oak, with bone naturals and rosewood sharps. The stopknobs are made of turned rosewood with bone inlays.
- Memorial Chapel’s organ was installed in 2012. Built by J. Allen Farmer, Inc. in 1994, it was purchased from St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem. The organ consists of 13 stops over one manual and a pedal division, along with a zimbelstern. A number of the stops are built across a divided keyboard, which helps provide even more flexibility in service and repertoire playing than other instruments of a comparable size.
