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 – The Chancel Choir sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship throughout the program year and performs two concerts per season. The choir is a family-like community of enthusiastic singers and requires a commitment of time and talent of singing on Thursday nights from 7:30 until 9:00 p.m.. No audition is necessary, and we welcome all those interested in singing. We prepare music in a wide variety of styles such as classical, gospel and folk.
Choral Scholars – First Presbyterian Church sponsors six scholarships each year for students from West Chester University. These students participate as a part of our Chancel Choir. Their talent and youthful energy enhance the choir, and it’s a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn how to be a part of a larger ensemble outside of the university campus.
Handbell Choirs – In addition to our singing choirs, there are three active handbell choirs at First Presbyterian Church. The choirs ring Malmark handbells and participate regularly in worship and community events.
Miner Street Bell Connections – This bell choir is an intergenerational group where children and adults 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 – These ringers have some experience and rehearse Thursdays from 6:30 -7:20 pm.
Chancel Ringers – A group of more experienced ringers, membership in Chancel Ringers requires an audition. They rehearse on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 pm.
Worship Band – The worship band leads the music at our contemporary worship service on Sundays and is comprised of guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals.
Want to watch our 2024 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 singing, playing, 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
Column Classics is the Fine Arts series of First Presbyterian Church, offering 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 of the program 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.
Miner Street Brass
The Miner Street Brass is an intergenerational ensemble of brass players involving First Pres members as well as musicians from the greater West Chester area. The brass choir rehearses biweekly and participates in the worship service about 10 times per year. This is a perfect opportunity to spruce up those long-ago-learned skills. Email Sándor Kádár for more info (skadar@firstpreswc.com).
Miner Street Stringers
The Miner Street Stringers was 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, who 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.