First United Methodist Church’s music ministries encompasses a broad range of musical styles, experiences and expressions while providing a basis for ministry with children, youth and adults.
In addition to providing musical experiences for three (soon to be four) worship services, music ministries presents expanded musical works for the Christmas and Easter seasons. Our vocal and handbell choirs welcome new members throughout the year.
Children’s Choirs
All children have the opportunity to sing in worship throughout each choir season. Rehearsals take place on Sunday mornings in conjunction with our Sunday Morning Live First Church Kids Sunday school.
Three age appropriate classes, under the leadership of loving and trained musicians, meet for regular rehearsals each Sunday. As well as singing throughout the season in regular worship settings, our children expand their knowledge of singing alone and with others, how Christian music is a part of their lives and that celebrating church seasons in a special, musical way is in itself a part of their own personal ministry to the church’s family.
Youth Music
Our youth take an active part in learning music and singing songs each Sunday through their Junior high and Senior high meetings. Our confirmation class (sixth graders) takes an active role in worship leadership on Holy Thursday. The annual Youth Discovery weekend is highlighted throughout with singing and making wonderful music.
Handbells
Our adult handbell and handchimes choir meets weekly for rehearsal and rings in worship each month. Their repertoire is also representative of all styles of handbell composition and arranging. The choir rings a full five octave set of Schulmerich handbells and four octaves of Malmark handchimes.
Praise Ensemble(s)
A praise ensemble was formed to lead music and worship in our new-style contemporary worship service. This ensemble of keyboard, guitar, bass, percussion and four vocalists rehearses weekly and effectively leads worship on Wednesday nights. As a fourth worship services is in the early stages of planning, a new ensemble will be needed for leadership.
Singing Adults
Our Sanctuary Choir meets regularly for rehearsal as it prepares for each week’s traditional/blended worship services. Our musical styles within the traditional worship format are many and varied. Each worship service is planned Scripturally and thematically, and the music presented, vocally (congregation singing and choir singing) and instrumentally (organ and piano) expresses and embellishes each theme. Each Christmas and Easter season provide an additional opportunity for music ministries through regular worship services and seasonal concerts. Our sanctuary is home to a 38 rank pipe organ and a modest grand piano. Both instruments are used in a variety of ways as they accompany voices, handbells, other instruments as well as individual solo presentations.