The choirs and orchestras of Fourth Presbyterian Church create beautiful music to the honor of our Great God and Savior. We welcome men and women, boys and girls, to come and join. If you would like to offer your time and talent in this special way, please consider any of these opportunities.
Choirs
- The Celebration Choir provides basic vocal training for young choristers. The choir rehearses weekly and leads the service in worship periodically. The children’s choirs also have occasional opportunities to participate in ministry by singing at other churches and nursing homes.
- Sundays, 8:40 a.m.–9:15 a.m. (September - May)
- Room 202
- Led by Stephanie Weidel
- The Covenant Choir continues to provide choristers with vocal training. The choir rehearses weekly and leads the service in worship periodically. The children’s choirs also have occasional opportunities to participate in ministry by singing at other churches and nursing homes.
- Sundays, 8:05–9:20 a.m. (September-May)
- Room 130
- Led by Marilyn Edewaard
- Adults with at least intermediate music experience are welcome to join the Sanctuary Choir for rehearsals. The Sanctuary Choir leads the congregation in worship at the 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services each week, and once a month during the summer.
- Thursdays, 7:45–9:30 p.m. (September - May)
- Sanctuary
Bells
- No previous experience is necessary to join Ring Forth! Learn to play the handbells with other students. Ring Forth! occasionally leads the congregation in worship and annually presents a handbell “drama” of a Bible story for the children’s Sunday school classes.
- Sundays, 8:00–8:30 a.m. (September–May)
- Room 146
- Led by Mary Clark
- Bells of the Trinity is for students with some ringing experience. BOTT periodically leads the congregation in worship with handbells. The bell choir often takes an overnight trip to another church during Memorial Day weekend to play for worship.
- Sundays, 8:30–9:25 a.m. (September–May) / Room 146
- Led by Mary Clark
- Special Blessings offers this program for persons with special needs. Special Blessings periodically leads the congregation in worship with choirchimes!®
- Sundays, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (September–May)
- Room 123
- Led by Shari Fast
Instrumental
- A free six-week course will be offered to children, ages 6 and up, with interest in taking the violin.
- Taught by Briannah Steele
- The course will be based on of the Suzuki method of teaching. Parents and children must attend the class and commit to daily practice outside of class. Families must rent a violin and purchase the Suzuki Violin Book 1 with the CD. Violin rental should take place ONLY after either the first class or after meeting with Ms. Steele to determine proper sizing. Families who wish to continue and join the Fourth String Ensemble must enroll in private lessons with Ms. Steele or a teacher of their choosing.
- Email Susan Fuller for more details.
- The Fourth Orchestra is open to all adults and high school students who play a musical instrument with at least intermediate level proficiency.
- There are three rehearsals prior to each service performance, which occur five to six times a year from October to May.
- Advent and Christmas also provide special opportunities for participation.
- Led by Mary Clark
- Contact the music office for more information.
- Fourth’s Flutes is a flute ensemble composed of various flute voices and accomplished players. Perform introits, offertories or choir accompaniment during Sunday worship.
- Led by Cynthia Keith
- Contact the music office for more information.
- Fourth Strings is a new string ensemble for young musicians
- Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
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Students must be ages 6 and up, and currently taking private lessons in violin, viola, or cello. Rehearsal attendance and practicing outside of rehearsals is required. Some parents may be asked to attend rehearsals. The ensemble will play in worship twice in the fall and twice in the spring, and rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings, three times per month.
- Led by Susan Fuller. Email Susan for further details.
- The Brass Ensemble plays occasionally during worship services. Accomplished brass players including adults and high school students are welcome.
- Led by Mary Clark
- Contact the music office for more information.
- Jubilate is a quartet for accomplished string players. They play the prelude before worship services several times throughout the year.
- Led by Carolyn Lincoln
- Contact the music office for more information.
Special Events
Every December, the choirs, instrumentalists, members, and friends of Fourth gather together for A Festival of Lessons and Carols to honor and celebrate the birth of Christ. This year, we are pleased to make available a new compact disc recording that brings together some of the musical highlights from these services over the past eighteen years. Our new CD, "Christmas at Fourth," will be available for $15 beginning in June
1. Sussex Carol - Preview
2. Because This Child Was Born - Preview
3. Of The Father's Love Begotten - Preview
4. Noel - Preview
5. O Magnum Mysterium - Preview
6. Procession - Preview
7. Highland Cathedral - Preview