We have a very musically active and involved congregation, and at the heart of this is our choir. The choir performs weekly anthems at every church service from September-June. These anthems span a variety of musical styles and genres, from classical to spirituals, with lots of religious choral music of various styles written during the last 40+ years that we have collected into our music library, and continue to supplement with new purchases. We also have a tradition of performing Christmas and Easter cantatas, typically rotating one or the other every other year. Choir anthems are planned out either by the choir director alone, or in conjunction with the pastor, and are coordinated with the scripture readings that are being read in the church service that week. Historically, this has been done by following the lectionary readings, though if the pastor would like to choose alternate scripture the choir director could still work with them to pick music to go with these changes, given adequate notice. In addition to making sure the music follows the scripture readings, efforts are also made by the choir director to provide stylistic variety with the anthems from week to week. This means picking pieces of different tempos, moods, compositional time periods, etc.; all in the spirit of reaching the congregation with both the appropriate message and musical interest for all tastes.
Apart from the choir, there is a rich history of piano and organ music at FCC. The church is proud to have a beautiful and well-maintained pipe organ, as well as an upright piano. We have a great history of talented organists, other hiring trained musicians teachers to fill the organist position. Every church service contains at least a prelude and postlude piece, that is performed on either the organ or the piano, as well as gathering music that is typically played on piano while the congregation comes together before the service begins. Additional piano or organ pieces are often added for other moments in the service, such as communion. Sometimes extra music is added to services when the organist prepares additional pieces with other musicians. This may come in the form of a piano/organ duet, a duet with other instrumentalists (such as piano with violin), or an addition song with a soloist or small group of singers and piano. One thing you can always count on in our services is an abundance of beautiful music.
During the months of July and August when the choir is not performing, the organist continues to supply music for each service, and we get into our “special music” season. This is a time when members of the congregation and community work on their own or with the organist to prepare a piece to perform in the place of the choir anthem. These can be vocal solos, instrumental pieces, songs with guitar - all ages and ability levels are welcome and encouraged to sign up for a service and participate in the music making.
Music
