Music at First Presbyterian
Church of Kirkwood
Music is an integral part of the worship life of First Presbyterian Church. It raises our spirits to God in worship, assists us in prayer, and moves us to a realm beyond the spoken word. First Presbyterian Church is a place wherein excellence in worship music is celebrated and embraced as we offer our very best to God and God’s people each time we gather for communal worship. We remember not only our rich musical heritage but look to the future with excitement as we continue to grow our ministry of music. We offer several areas of involvement for all ages, both choral and instrumental. You are warmly encouraged and welcome to be a part of our dynamic Music Ministry.
If you have questions, or are interested in joining our Music Ministry, please contact the Director of Music Ministries, Bill Stein, or call 314-965-0326.
To see some of the work we did during the pandemic,
please visit our YouTube Channel.
Music Ensembles
Church Orchestra
The Church Orchestra is open to members and friends of the congregation who play any instrument at any level. Performances are scheduled 3 times a year at the Sunday morning worship services, with three weeks of rehearsal prior to each performance.
Arise! Praise Band
Electric guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion and vocalists perform contemporary Christian music for our weekly Arise! service at 9:05 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in joining the Praise Band speak with one of the musicians after a service or contact Bill Stein, Director of Music Ministries.
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Chancel Ringers
We are blessed to have 5 octaves of hand bells which were completely refurbished at the factory in the summer of 2018. Our hand bell choir, the Chancel Ringers, rehearse Wednesday evenings during the school year from 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. We ring on various Sundays during the year and at special occasions as needed. Each ringer is assigned a certain position and rings the same bells each week. Rehearsal time is spent learning notes, rhythms, and bell techniques. Ringing is a fun way to be involved in our Music Ministry!
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Carillon Ringers
This group is designed for those who already read music and have some experience playing handbells. We ring on various Sundays during the year and at special occasions as needed. This group meets on Monday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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Children and Youth Bells
The MusikGarten program is for parents and children ages 3 months to 5 years. The adults learn to play musically with their children and to engage the child’s natural curiosity through music. Classes meet during the day, September through May, and are taught by licensed MusikGarten Instructor Ellen Hitschler.
Cherubs is the youngest children’s choir, open to all in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Cherubs rehearse on Wednesday afternoon during the school year and sing on select Sunday mornings as well as participate in the Christmas and Spring musicals.
Choristers is our children’s choir for those in grades 3 to 5. This group rehearses on Wednesday afternoon during the school year and sings several Sundays throughout the year. The Choristers play leading roles in the Christmas Eve and Spring musicals.
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Middle School Ringers is the handbell choir for all in grades 6 through 8. Members are taught basic ringing skills and repertoire, and ring on occasional Sunday mornings as well as in the Christmas and Spring musicals.
For more information on any of these programs, contact Bill Stein, Director of Music Ministries.
Artists-in-Residence
We are excited to continue our relationship with our musical artists-in-residence: the Clarion Brass and the Rosewood Ensemble. These talented musicians will share music with us both in worship on Sunday mornings and in concert throughout the year.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is the principal choir of the church and provides music at the 11:00 a.m. service each Sunday, as well as special services and holidays throughout the year. The Choir also performed at major Cathedrals during their Fall 2010 tour of Scotland and England, including St. Paul’s in London, Yorkminster, and St. Giles in Edinburgh. The Chancel Choir participated in a concert in Carnegie Hall, New York in March of 2017.
Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Choir Room on the A-level.
Con Spirito
The mission of the Con Spirito Concert Series is to strengthen the church’s mission to lift up the minds and hearts of people to God, to each other and to life in its totality. Seeking to attract a diverse audience, the musical events in the concert series feature high quality ensembles, composers, conductors and soloists from both the local and world-wide artistic communities. This music ministry enhances the experiences of both our congregation and the community through programming that best complement the excellent acoustics and aesthetic beauty of our diverse and wonderful facilities. The concert series continues the First Presbyterian Church tradition of outreach through musical offerings.
