-Please join us for Worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM-
Music at First Presbyterian
Music is an integral part of our worship services. There are numerous ways to participate in sharing music during worship – the chancel choir, soloists and small groups sing, and play regularly. We also host musical programs such as piano recitals and local musical group concerts, which are open to the community.
Church Organ
Our five-rank pipe organ was constructed by MP Moller, Inc., of Hagerstown, MD, and dedicated on January 27, 1952. It serves as accompaniment to the choir and hymn singing, as does the grand piano. Our choir explores musical styles of many different traditions, seeking always to enhance our worship experience.
Chancel Choir
The First Presbyterian Choir contributes music regularly to Sunday services and special events. Besides supporting congregational hymn singing, the choir’s main task is performing anthems on selected Sundays. A diverse repertoire, ranging from world folk music to American spirituals to traditional choral works elevates our services with worship through music. The choir welcomes members of all ages and levels of experience, and exercises for improving vocal technique are helpful training for each participant. Our friendly, enthusiastic singers enjoy one another, and enjoy contributing to the experience of our congregation. Collaborations with the bell choir and other FPC ensembles enhances our musical experiences. We believe that the combination of music and lyrics connects us more deeply with the theme of each Sunday’s message.
Bell Choir
The Cottage Bells (our bell choir) play regularly during our worship services. We are an enthusiastic and friendly group of musicians who enjoy ringing for our congregation and believe that our music adds depth to the worship experience. The Cottage Bells have also performed at churches within the broader Cottage Grove community, and members have participated in workshops in Portland and Ashland. We encourage small ensembles to use the bells to ring during worship or for special services. We have a 3 octave set of Schulmerich bells, and have recently been gifted a 2 octave set of White Chapel bells. Call the church office if you would like more information about our bell choir, or if you would like to join us. All levels of skill are welcome!
Welcoming Ukuleles . . . and More!
The “Ukurists”: No matter what type of ukulele you have and what level of playing ability you offer – we welcome everyone with a desire to make music with us! We spend some time working on strumming and picking patterns and synchronizing styles, selecting pieces to learn for church, and having a lot of fun in the process. We share musical resources and encourage one another to build skills and confidence.
We usually meet after church on the third Sunday of every month from 11:30 to 12:30, but that schedule frequently varies according to other commitments of our members and church events. So please contact the church office to get onto our email rehearsal chain (Anne Montgomery or Patti Noe will send you a welcome message). Our practices are relatively informal, and we are always eager to add new music and musical styles to our repertoire.
