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
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:
So Wonderful!
Watch soloist Sheila Kelly and a group drawn from FPC’s Choir and praise team perform “So Wonderful” today in worship. This amazing piece was written by our own Minister of Worship, Dr. Daniel Perrin. Thanks to Chip Van Gilder for uploading the video! The other members performing the piece were Daniel and Melinda Perrin, Becky Hayden, Cristoph Hoashi-Erhardt, and Todd Pressley (on percussion).
Countdown: Just 10 Days Until Our Christmas Carol Concert!
Have you put our Christmas Carol Concert on your calendar yet? Don’t wait until it’s too late! You won’t want to miss this wonderful opportunity on Dec. 10 at 6:00 pm to sing carols accompanied by an orchestra, handbell choir, vocal choir, and pipe organ. Not convinced? Here’s a selection from last year’s concert to whet your appetite:
The concert will take place at Tacoma’s historic First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Division and Tacoma Ave. S.
Christmas Events 2017 at Tacoma’s First Presbyterian Church
Join us as we celebrate the real meaning of Christmas at Tacoma’s First Presbyterian Church this year. We have a series of wonderful events for the entire family. Whatever your background, and whatever is happening in your life right now, you are welcome here!
In addition to these events, be sure to stop by our Church Library in Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings before and after the service for a great selection of Christmas books and DVDs for kids and adults.
Sunday, December 3
Family U: “Creating Family Traditions” (9:15 am)
Advent Communion and Worship (10:30 am)
Mark the first Sunday of Advent with Holy Communion plus the FPC-premiere of an original choral work by our music director Dr. Daniel Perrin, “So Wonderful!” Daniel will also share the story that led him to write this amazing and joyous piece. During Communion, we be singing “Christmas Joy,” an Advent carol written by member Terry Estvold and led by Connie Connally on the guitar. You won’t want to miss this start to the Advent season! Pastor Eric will be preaching a special sermon series during Advent drawn from the book of Isaiah.
Sunday, December 10
FREE Christmas Play: “Improv in a Pear Tree” (9:00 am, Fellowship Hall)
Join us for a free performance of a Christmas play by Taproot Theatre Company during the Sunday School hour on Dec. 10, starting at 9:00 am. Going home for the holidays is a special sort of adventure full of road trips, family traditions and the crazy characters we call friends and family. This year, Taproot’s Improv Team is bringing you the story of a pair of newlyweds sharing their first Christmas. Using suggestions from the audience, the actors create the characters, traditions and circumstances to create a hilarious and unexpected holiday story you won’t forget. No two performances are the same! Improv in a Pear Tree is written by Emily Shuel and directed by Danny Walter.
Christmas Worship with Dickens Carolers (10:25 am)
Come to worship early and hear the Dickens Carolers present a selection of carols throughout our worship service, starting before the service at 10:25 am. The Dickens Carolers are a quartet dressed for the season in the garb of Victorian London.
A Celebration of Carols Concert (6:00 pm, Sanctuary)
Sing your favorite Christmas carols accompanied by an 18-piece orchestra, handbell choir, vocal choir, plus an organ with 3,000 pipes! Back by popular demand, this carol concert combines congregational singing with special music by soloists, our Chancel Choir, and our Lindsey Bell Choir. A Christmas reception with hot cider and hot chocolate follows in the Sanctuary.
Sunday, December 17
Children’s Christmas Pageant (10:30 am, Sanctuary)
Experience the Christmas season through the eyes of our children as they present their annual Christmas pageant through songs and readings in the midst of our Sunday worship service.
Monday, December 18
Christmas Friendship Luncheon (12:00 pm)
Join us for a delicious luncheon for those age 55+
Sunday, December 24
Advent Worship (10:30 am, Sanctuary)
Join us for worship on the final Sunday of Advent as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (7:00 pm, Sanctuary)
Don’t miss this Tacoma-area tradition featuring Chancel Choir, soloists, instrumentalists, pipe organ, and hundreds of candles in the cathedral-like sanctuary of First Presbyterian Tacoma. This is one of the highlights of the entire year!
Meet, Greet & Treat
MEET, GREET & TREAT
Tuesday, October 31st 4:00pm-6:00pm Dickson (Inner) Courtyard
For all FPC and School families!
Costume parade starts at 4:30pm. Hot Dogs, Chili, Cider, Treat bags, Glow Sticks! So much fun and then you can join the Street of Treats in the Stadium District!
**We are also in need of some volunteers to help out. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Carol Heath at cheath@fpctacoma.org
TRICK OR TREAT #Fortacoma!
We need volunteers to help us welcome the neighborhood into our sanctuary for Trick or Treat from 3:45pm – 6:00pm on Tuesday, October 31. You can be indoors passing out candy to kids or outdoors greeting adults and handing out hot chocolate in the #Fortacoma booth . Contact Carol Heath or just show up!