MUSIC AT FIRST RELIGIOUS SOCIETY

Church Choir

The Church Choir, with 30 volunteer members, rehearses and sings weekly, as well as at occasional special services. This SATB choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:15 until 9:30. The repertoire ranges from the classics of early Renaissance and Baroque to "Come Sunday" of Duke Ellington to a rousing Moses Hogan arrangement of "Ride On, King Jesus."

The Church Choir and Candlelight Choir are directed by Frances Gress Burmeister, Church Music Director and Organist; the youth choirs are directed by Claudia Keyian, Young Church Choir Director.

Young Church Music Program

The youth music program is composed of three choirs: the Cherub Choir, the Young Church Choir and the Teen Choir.

The Cherub Choir consists of all children in Grades K - 2 and rehearses each Sunday during the first few minutes of the Sunday School hour. This choir provides a wonderful experience for young children to be introduced to choral singing. The Cherub Choir sings in church once or twice a year.

The Young Church Choir (below) is open to singers in Grades 2 - 6. This choir rehearses every Sunday from 9:40 - 10:20 in the upper parish hall. Children in the Young Chuch Choir start learning how to read music and how to sing with good tone production and diction. Music is sung in unison or in two parts. The Young Church Choir sings in church five or six times a year, including during the annual Candlelight Service.

The Teen Choir (below) rehearses every Sunday from 9:00 - 9:40 in the upper parish hall. This lively group consists of about twenty singers in Grades 7 - 12. Music is sung in three- and four-part harmony. Continued emphasis is placed on learning to read music well and to sing with a beautiful, blended choral tone. The Teen Choir performs in church five or six times a year, including at the annual Candlelight Service.

New members are always welcome to join the Young Church Choir and the Teen Choir. The children do a great job of making newcomers feel welcome. No previous musical experience is necessary.

The Candlelight Service

A Newburyport Christmas tradition since 1925, this musical service is held yearly on the evening of the Sunday preceding Christmas Eve. The meetinghouse is decorated, and Christmas choral music by the Candlelight and Young Church choirs is interspersed with readings and congregational singing of familiar carols.

Concert Series

The Jean C. Wilson Music Series is held early each year, usually from January through April. A wide range of professional ensembles and soloists have been presented over the years, including choral groups, early music groups, string, woodwind, and brass ensembles, and solo pianists, organists, singers, and instrumentalists. More recently a fall concert has also been given, featuring staff and local performers.

The organ is regarded as one of the finest and most historic in the area. Built originally in 1834 by Newburyporter Joseph Alley, it was enlarged in 1889 by George S. Hutchings, and rebuilt again in 1957 by the Andover Organ Co. It has 24 stops on two manuals and pedal. Further details may be found on "Pipe Organs of the Merrimack Valley."