Music Staff
Mark Ramsey, Director of Music Ministries
Bea Towe, Music Associate
Marlene Verch, Assistant Director, Youth Bells
Ann Harbin, Assistant Director, Youth Bells
Ellen Humbert, Director, Hearts Hands and Voices
Robert Strader, Director, Choristers
Music is a vital ingredient in the life of the church. At First Church, in addition to vocal and handbell choirs for all ages, we offer musical opportunities in instrumental music, musical theater, solo offerings, Hearts Hands and Voices signing choir, the One Voice praise team, and the praise band. Sunday morning worship is presented in a blended worship style, with music drawn from contemporary and traditional elements. First Church excels in the blended style, offering anthems and oratorios, strong hymn singing, and songs from contemporary Christian literature, all serving to magnify the weekly service theme. If you would like to share your musical gifts to glorify God, and if you sing Mozart or Point of Grace, play the guitar, pipe organ, or trombone, you will be welcomed into the music program at First Church (see the registration form at the bottom of this page). Come and join us as we Make a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord! The number of musical ensembles has grown to ten choirs, involving approximately one-quarter of our congregation in music ministry. The choirs include the First Ringers, an adult handbell choir, and Dei Gloriam, the advanced handbell choir; One Voice, our praise team, and Daystar, our praise band; Youth Bell Choir; the Sanctuary Choir, the Choristers children’s choir, the GIG Singers (Sunday School Children), and the Hearts Hands and Voices signing choir. Summer Music includes a Family Choir, Family Bell Choir, Chamber Choir, Women's Choir, and Men's Choir. Instrumentalists and vocalists from within our church and from around the valley have been featured in our worship services and in our church Artist Series, which presents monthly concerts during the fall and spring. Annual dinner-theater productions have presented the First Players in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows during each of the past 11 years. We are also fortunate to have one of the Valley's most beautiful mechanical action pipe organs. The instrument was built in 1991 by the Visser-Rowland organ shop of Houston, Texas, with additions and modifications made in 1995/2004. (Click the link on the left side of this page to see and hear the organ.) 2008 Spring Choir Schedule
Color Code
Updated 02/22/2008
Sanctuary Choir Dei Gloriam One Voice First Ringers Hearts Hands and Voices Choristers
Date
Anthem (Sanct. Ch.)
Offertory
Notes
1/13
Stand Up, Rejoice, and Sing
Organ
1/20
Praise Him!
1/22 (Tuesday)
Dei Gloriam no rehearsal
1/27
Praise the Lord
2/3
Ave Maria
One Voice
Communion: Sue & Gene Lombardi Violin & Organ Duo
2/10
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Dei Gloriam
Ministry Fair/Catered Lunch/Annual Meeting
2/17
They Crucified My Lord
Organ
2/24
This Is My Father's World
Older Adult Sunday
3/2
At This Table
One Voice
Communion
3/9
(Sanctuary Choir Vacation) Women: Beautiful Savior; Marlene, Director; Bea/Mark, Organ
Hearts Hands and Voices
Women's Sunday
3/16
Ah, Holy Jesus
First Ringers
Palm Sunday
3/23
Two Services, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. - Lift High the Cross & I Know That My Redeemer Lives (both with Dei Gloriam)
Dei Gloriam
Easter Sunday
3/30
Alleluia! Ye Sons and Daughters
Youth Bells
4/6
Have No Fear, Little Flock
One Voice
Communion (Benediction Response: Hearts Hands and Voices; Prelude & Communion Bread: First Ringers)
4/13
All Good Gifts
Dei Gloriam
4/18
Godspell "Pit Choir"
4/19
Godspell "Pit Choir"
4/20
For the Music of Creation (for middle hymn)
Youth Bells: "Celebration #2"
Final Prelude: Youth Bells - "Celebration #5"; Choristers for Call to Worship and Anthem
4/20
Godspell "Pit Choir"
4/26 (Saturday)
Choir Spring Fling at Walkers, 6:00 p.m.
4/27
Sanctuary Choir Vacation
Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday
5/4
As We Break Bread
First Ringers
One Voice, Communion
5/4
CONCERT: Campanillas del Sol Handbell Choir with Dei Gloriam, Sanctuary, 3:30 p.m.
Communion
5/11
Ball-Sitzler
Ball-Sitzler
Mother's Day/Pentecost Sunday (Sanctuary Choir Vacation)
5/18
Psalm 150
OPEN
First Sunday after Pentecost
5/25
Dei Gloriam
Dei Gloriam
Memorial Sunday/First Summer Sunday
9/3 (Wednesday)
Sanctuary Choir First Fall Rehearsal
9/7 (Tuesday)
Dei Gloriam meet in Sanctuary at 8:30, accompany worship hymns.
9/9 (Tuesday)
Dei Gloriam First Fall Rehearsal
9/10 (Wednesday)
One Voice First Fall Rehearsal
For Music Information, call (480) 964-8606, Ext. 24, email choirs@cox.net, or use our Online Choir Registration Form!
Music Extensions
24 Music Office 38 Choir Room 38 Bell Room 36 Music Library
Hint: Clicking on the Guitar, in the upper left corner of a Music page,
will also take you back to the Church's Home Page.