First Pres Music Ministry
First Presbyterian Church is known within the community as the church with an excellent music program. This reputation is due to the 50+ years of outstanding leadership from music directors on one side and many musically talented volunteers on the other side. Therefore, music is a vital and important part of life at First Pres, with a focus on providing performance opportunities to local West Chester University students.
Chancel Choir and Worship Band
The Chancel Choir – sings at 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship throughout the the year, performs two concerts per season, requires your commitment of time and talent of singing on Thursday nights from 7:30 until 9:00 p.m., prepares music in wide variety of styles such as classical, gospel and folk tune based, a family-like community of enthusiastic singers
Choral Scholars – First Presbyterian Church sponsors four scholarships for students from West Chester University. These students participate as a part of our Chancel Choir. We benefit quite a lot from this partnership, and it is a wonderful opportunity for our West Chester students
Handbell Choirs – In addition to our singing choirs, there are three active handbell choirs at First Presbyterian, the choirs ring Malmark handbells and participate regularly in worship and community events.
Miner Street Bell Connections – an intergenerational group where children learn bell ringing with the help of their parents or an experienced adult ringer. The rehearsals are on Sundays from 10:30 – 11:00 am.
The JuBellation Ringers – rehearse Thursdays from 6:40-7:25 pm.
Chancel Ringers – rehearse Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 pm, membership in Chancel Ringers requires an audition.
Worship Band – The worship band leads contemporary music at our contemporary worship service and is comprised of guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.
Want to watch our 2023 Candlelight Christmas Concert?
Children's Choirs
Children’s Choir and More – Join us Wednesdays from 5:15 – 6:15 pm for a fun time of playing, singing, and learning about God. Children who participate will get an introduction to the experience of helping to lead worship and explore how we can use music to worship God. The Children’s Choir sings during the 9:00 Sunday morning service approximately once a month in the fall, participates in the annual Candlelight Christmas Concert and prepares an annual spring musical. Children are welcome to join in seasonally if that works better with their schedule.
Children are invited to join this ministry starting at age 4 and continuing through 6th grade. The Cherub Choir is for children ages 4-6 and the Celebration Singers is for grades 1-6. Please contact Children’s Choir Director Amanda Erno (aerno@firstpreswc.com) or Director of Faith Formation Sara Pantazes (spantazes@firstpreswc.com) for more information.
Additional Music
Column Classics
Fine arts series of FPC, offers programs to our congregation and the West Chester community, supported entirely by the gifts of those who are passionate about the arts in our church, highlights include a Candlelight Christmas Concert the first Sunday in December, and the annual Arts Weekend, which includes a major Chester County art show the first weekend in March. To see a Schedule of events, click the button below.
Miner Street Brass
An intergenerational ensemble of nine players involving both First Pres members and musicians for the greater West Chester area, participates at worship about 10 times per year, biweekly rehearsals, a perfect opportunity to spruce up those long-ago-learned skills. Email Sandor Kadar for more info (skadar@firstpreswc.com).
Miner Street Stringers
Founded in fall 2023 to promote intergenerational music making. Interested string players who have played for at least three years are welcome to join. The music is arranged for each player’s individual level. The leader of the group is Adriana Park, and she can be reached at Teachvln@aol.com.
The Rev. J. Garrett Kell
Memorial Organ
One beloved piece of our sanctuary is THE REV. J. GARRETT KELL MEMORIAL ORGAN. This instrument is a 46-rank, 3-manual pipe organ made by the Schantz Organ Company in Orrville, Ohio. It is played from a computerized movable console that includes 99 levels of memory. We also have a fully mechanical box organ. For more information about our organs, click the buttons below.