First Presbyterian Church Music Ministries
Music is a vibrant part of the life of the congregation at First Presbyterian Church. If God has gifted you in the area of music, we encourage you to use your musical gifts for God.
If you sing, please consider joining our Chancel Choir and/or contemporary Praise Team. The Chancel Choir leads the congregation in worship from September-June and also plays a key role in our Community Christmas Concert in December, our Christmas Eve Service, and our Easter Celebration Service. The Praise Team leads the congregation in worship from January-December.
If you are an instrumentalist, consider joining using your instruments during our celebration services at Christmas and Easter, as part of the Praise Team, or as a soloist during summer or other times of the year.
If you are a young person (starting in the 5th grade) to adult, consider joining one of our handbell choirs.
If you are interested in knowing about some of the key hymns and praise songs we sing regularly at First Presbyterian Church, check out our “Church Canon.”
Chancel Choir
- Chancel Choir meets for rehearsals on Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:30 pm from September through early June.
Praise Team
- The contemporary Praise Team rehearses on Sunday mornings and at other times during the year.
Bell Choirs
The Chapel Bell Ringers is a choir designed for grades 5 through 8. They rehearse Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Middleton Parlor (down the long hall on the left). This is a training group that rings three octaves of bells.
The Lindsey Bell Ringers (named after our pastor emeritus, Dr. Albert J. Lindsey), is composed of grades 9 and up. They rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Middleton Parlor. This group rings 5+ octaves of bells at an advanced level.
No prior music knowledge is needed to join a bell choir (it helps, of course). We will train you to read your notes. Our bell choirs use a double set of bells so each new member is partnered with an experienced ringer. Rehearsals are planned with fun in mind and our ringers enjoy the rehearsals and ministry to our church and outside groups.
For more information please contact the Bell Choir Director Daniel Heath at danielheath7980@msn.com or Sonja West at sonja@nutley.org.
Chapel Bell Ringers 2018-2019 Schedule
- The Chapel Bell Ringers (5th- 8th grade) meet from 7-8 pm on Wednesday nights in Middleton Parlor (Room 109 on the church map).
- The first practice for the 2018-2019 school year is on September 19.
Lindsey Bell Ringers 2018-19 Schedule
- The Lindsey Bell Ringers (9th grade and up) meet from 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesday nights in Middleton Parlor (Room 109 on the church map).
- The first practice for the 2018-2019 school year is on September 19.
News and Updates
Rehearsal Updates (dates not listed follow normal schedule above):
- Wednesday, April 3: Lindsey Bell Choir Rehearsal from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. No Chapel Bell Choir Rehearsal.
- Wednesday, April 24: No rehearsal for either bell choir.
- Wednesday, May 15: 50th Anniversary Bell Choir Rehearsal with Lindsey Bell Choir. No Chapel Bell Choir Rehearsal.
Upcoming Bell Performances:
- On Easter Sunday, April 21, the Lindsey Bell Choir will be performing in the Sunday morning service.
- On Mother’s Day, May 12, the Chapel Bell Choir will be performing in the Sunday morning service.
- On Sunday, May 19, the 50th Anniversary Bell Choir will be performing in the Sunday morning service. Anyone who has played in our bell choirs in the last 50 years is invited to join. Contact Bell Choir Director Daniel Heath at danielheath7980@msn.com for more information.
Questions?
- To get more information on how to become involved, contact our Minister of Worship, Dr. Daniel Perrin.
Music News
05
Jan '18
Join the FPC Chancel Choir
05
Jan '18
JOIN THE FPC CHOIR
This is a great time of year to join choir! We rehearse from 7:00pm – 8:30pm on Wednesday nights in Ferguson Chapel. Join us as we prepare weekly anthems and Holy Week celebrations. The Chapel Choir is a close knit family who would love to embrace you as one of their own!
20
Dec '17
Miss Our Christmas Concert? You Can Watch It!
20
Dec '17
If you missed our wonderful Christmas Carol concert earlier this month, thanks to Chip Van Gilder, you can watch it on YouTube! Enjoy!
19
Dec '17
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2017
19
Dec '17
You won’t want to miss our wonderful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Presbyterian Church of Tacoma. Our cathedral-like sanctuary will be filled with hundreds of candles as well as the sound of music from our Chancel Choir, soloists, Lindsey Bell Choir, chamber orchestra, and a pipe organ with more than 3,000 pipes. As in past years, we will be having a “lessons and carols” service that tells the Christmas story through readings and carols plus a special message by our Senior Pastor Dr. Eric Jacobsen. This year FPC’s children will be presenting some of the readings. The service climaxes as we join millions of Christians around the world on Christmas Eve by singing “Silent Night.” Then during the postlude those who wish can sing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” For many of us, this service is the highlight of the year along with Easter. Join us and invite your friends and family. The service begins at 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 24. You may want to come early because this service is usually packed.
10
Dec '17
Christmas Carol Concert TONIGHT!
10
Dec '17
Well, it’s finally here! Back by popular demand, our Christmas Carol concert is TONIGHT (Dec. 10) at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Tacoma. This absolutely free event will allow you to sing accompanied by an orchestra, a handbell choir, a vocal choir, and a pipe organ with 3,000+ pipes! Bring your whole family and celebrate Christmas. Here is one last selection from last year’s concert to whet your appetite:
08
Dec '17
Christmas Carol Concert Almost Here—Just Two Days Away!
08
Dec '17
Are you planning to come to our FREE Christmas Carol concert this Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church? Have you invited your friends and family yet? Here’s another sample of what happened at last year’s concert:
Just Seven Days Until Christmas Carol Concert in Tacoma!
Are you planning to come to our FREE Christmas Carol concert on Dec. 10 at 6:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church? Have you invited your friends and family yet? Here’s another sample of what you missed last year if you didn’t come: