Music and Choir
In addition to worship, First Congregational United Church of Christ offers many opportunities to become involved in both the church community and the larger community in which we live. This page will help you become better acquainted with the Music and Choir of our church.
At First Congregational United Church of Christ we consider music to be an essential part of worship. Our pipe organ, a Casavant that was installed in 1951, has been incorporated into the casework of the previous Hook and Hastings pipe organ that dates back to 1871. The resulting mixture houses 3,100 pipes and fills our sanctuary with awe-inspiring sound. On the fourth Sunday of each month we take a break from more traditional styles of music to welcome our jazz band complete with piano, trumpet, stand-up bass, and drums. Throughout the year we offer special music and concerts to enhance our worship services.
Our choir heightens the spirit of both those who sing and those who hear them sing each Sunday. All who wish to participate in the joy of joining voices in sacred song are welcome to become a member of our choir. There is no need to audition but only a dedication to learn and grow. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. before worship.
The members of at First Congregational United Church of Christ are people of different ages, education, races, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We hold varying theological beliefs and come from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. We find strength in that diversity and view it as a way of understanding the inclusiveness of God's love. We invite all who are seeking God's presence or wish to rededicate themselves to God's purpose to become part of our congregation.
Join our Choir!
Our wonderful choir starts back Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010 with a party/rehearsal at the home of Judith Babbitt. We have many skilled singers in this volunteer organization, as well as our four paid section leaders and soloists, but also we have many singers who just want a musical venue like our choir to belong to. This year promises to be our best yet, with many wonderful choral selections and choral masterworks. We sing a varied, eclectic repertoire, from Renaissance through contemporary, from fine, serious choral styles to arrangements of folk songs, spirituals and gospel music. We do a balance of accompanied and a cappella music, and concentrate on beauty of sound, diction, and choral blend to the enhancement of the worship experience for all. The choir sings most Sunday services from Labor Day through Memorial Day and Pentecost. This is a volunteer choir. All that is required is the desire to sing, a rudimentary music reading ability, and the time on Thursday evening from 7-8:30 pm to rehearse, and Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 am. Anyone considering joining this committed choir should contact First Congregational's music director, Dr. Michael Kelly.
Phone: (360) 258-1798.
Email: michael@uccportland.org