January music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)

Jan. 2 – 2nd Sunday after Christmas (10:00 AM)
Chancel Choir
Introit: Divinum Mysterium (plainsong, mode V)
Anthem: What is this Lovely Fragrance (arr. H. Willan, 1880-1968)
Postlude: The March of the Three Magi (Franz Liszt, 1811-1886)

Jan. 9 – The Baptism of the Lord (11:00 AM services resume this week)
Chancel Choir
Introit: Lord, When You Came to Jordan (Genevan Psalter, 1542)
Anthem: Brother James’s Air (arr. Gordon Jacob, 1895-1984)
Postlude: Postlude in F, Op. 50 no. 3 (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

Jan. 16 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir
Introit: From All that Dwell Below the Skies (arr. Michael Burkhardt)
Anthem: Lead Me, Lord (Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1810-1876)
Postlude: Fugue in C, BWV 545 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Jan. 23 – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir
Introit: Give Fellowship, We Pray (Harold Friedell, 1905-1958)
Anthem: Christ Hath a Garden (Gerald Near, b.1942)
Postlude: Grand Choeur (Théodore Dubois, 1837-1924)

Jan. 30 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir
Introit: I To the Hills Lift Up Mine Eyes (Jean Berger, 1909-2002)
Anthem: Lord, for Thy Tender Mercies’ Sake (R. Farrant, 1530-1580)
Postlude: Te Deum Laudamus (Dietrich Buxtehude, 1637-1707)

Christmas Organ Recital

Organ music for Christmas
Tuesday, December 21 at 11:45 AM
Kevin Dill, organist

Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 550
J.S. Bach

The Shepherds at the Manger
The March of the Three Magi
from Weihnachtsbaum
Franz Liszt

Christmas in Sicily
Pietro Yon

Carillon on a Ukranian Carol
Gerald Near

Kevin Dill, a native of Canada, is a graduate of the University of Victoria and the University of Alberta, where he studied with Dr. Erich Schwandt, Michael Gormley, and Dr. Marnie Giesbrecht. In 2005 he received the Associateship Diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and in 2009 placed third in the RCCO's national organ playing competition. In addition to his work as Music Director at First Presbyterian, he has performed solo and duo recitals throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania, and has premiered his own choral and organ compositions.

Dill's recital is presented as part of First Presbyterian's "Lunch At First" series, which hosts speakers on a variety of topics on the third Tuesday of the month. This is the fifth consecutive year he has presented a Christmas recital on the church's three-manual, 2500-pipe organ. Admission to the recital is free, with lunch available afterwards in the Fellowship Hall for $4.

December music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)


Dec. 5 – 2nd Sunday in Advent: An Advent Service of Lessons & Carols
Chancel Choir & Liberty Bells
Carol: Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (Kevin Dill)
Anthem: Rejoice Jerusalem (Healey Willan, 1880-1968)
Offertory: The Lord is Nigh (Sharon Elery Rogers, b.1929)
Carol: Bogoroditse Dyevo (Arvo Pärt, b.1935)
Postlude: Finale from Symphony I (Louis Vierne, 1870-1937)

Dec. 12 – 3rd Sunday in Advent
Junior Choir & Chancel Choir
Introit: Bogoroditse Dyevo (Arvo Pärt, b.1935)
Anthem: Advent Prayer (Allen Pote, b.1945)
Postlude: Christ, der Einig Gottes Sohn (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Dec. 19 – 4th Sunday in Advent
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland (D. Buxtehude, 1637-1707)
Offertory: Two Polish Christmas Carols (arr. Kenneth Danchik)
Postlude: Allegro, from Concerto in b minor (A. Vivaldi, 1678-1741)

Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Family Service (5:00 PM)
Junior Choir
Anthem: Dormi, Dormi (Italian Carol, arr. Mary Goetze)
Postlude: Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 550 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (11:00 PM)
Chancel Choir
Prelude: Trio Sonata in C, BWV 529 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Introit: A Marvelous Wonder (Kevin Dill)
Anthem: Rise Up Early (Slovak Carol, arr. Richard Kountz)
Choral Response: Gloria in Excelsis (Kevin Dill)
Postlude: Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 550 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Dec. 26 – 1st Sunday after Christmas (10:00 AM)
Chancel Choir
Introit: Puer Natus in Bethlehem (plainsong, mode i)
Anthem: This Enders Nyght (Old English carol, arr. Theron Kirk)
Postlude: Carillon on a Ukranian Carol (Gerald Near, b.1942)

November music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)

Nov. 7 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Music director on study leave

Nov. 14 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time; Stewardship Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: I Will Worship the Lord (John Rutter, b.1945)
Anthem: O Sing Joyfully (Adrian Batten, 1591-1637)
Postlude: Scherzo, from Symphony II (Charles-Marie Widor, 1844-1937)

Nov. 21 – 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time; PW Thank Offering Sunday
Liberty Bells, Junior Choir, & Women of the Chancel Choir
Prelude: Spiritual (Kevin McChesney, b.1958)
Anthem: A Song of Praise and Thanksgiving (Allen Pote, b.1945)
Postlude: Prelude, from Te Deum (Marc-Antoine Charpentier, 1643-1704)

Nov. 28 – 1st Sunday in Advent
Gentlemen of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Splendor Paternae Gloriae (plainsong, mode I)
Anthem: But Who May Abide, from Messiah (G.F. Handel, 1685-1750) Postlude: Wachet Auf (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Choral Evensong

Christ Episcopal Church, 870 Diamond Park, Meadville, will host a service of Choral Evensong on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 4 PM. The choir of Christ Church, directed by William Witherup, will be joined for this event by the choir of Meadville First Presbyterian Church, directed by Kevin Dill.

Choral Evensong is a service of scripture, music and prayer that has been sung at Anglican churches since the 16th century. The service will feature music by the English composers C.V. Stanford and Adrian Batten, along with Witherup’s own setting of the Preces and Responses. Both choirs warmly invite the community to join them in this gesture of inter-church cooperation.

Piping Hot

For the second time in as many years, the First Presbyterian Church of Meadville will host an evening of “piping hot” music for brass and organ. This free concert, taking place on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:30 PM, is being organized by Dr. Jennifer Dearden of Allegheny College and Kevin Dill, the church’s Director of Music. Ten players from the college’s department of music will perform on trumpet, trombone, horn, and tuba.

The program features solos, duets, quartets, and quintets for brass and organ by composers from the 16th to the 21st centuries. In addition to coaching the student ensembles, Dearden will take the stage with music for solo trumpet. Dill accompanies the brass on the church’s 2500-pipe Schlicker organ.

For more information contact First Presbyterian at 333-2161. Last year's concert nearly drew a full house, so come early to get a good seat!

October music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)

Oct. 3 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time; World Communion Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: Bread of the World (tune: Louis Bourgeois, c.1510-1560)
Motet: O Sacrum Convivium (Ludovico da Viadana, 1564-1645)
Communion: Selections from 1er Livre d’Orgue (J.Boyvin, 1650-1706)
Postlude: Toccata in b minor (Eugène Gigout, 1844-1925)

Oct. 10 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Juanita Shutsa, flute
Prelude: Improvisation, from Suite Médiévale (Jean Langlais, 1907-1991)
Offertory: Allegro, from Flute Sonata in g minor (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Postlude: Finale, from Concerto in a minor (Giuseppe Torelli, 1658-1709)

Oct. 17 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Introit: I Will Arise and Go To Jesus (arr. Robert Shaw & Alice Parker)
Offertory: Fantasy on ‘Hyfrydol’ (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Postlude: Fugue in g minor (Nicolaus Bruhns, 1665-1697)

Oct. 24 – 30h Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir
Introit: I Will Worship the Lord (John Rutter, b.1945)
Anthem: Come Away to the Skies (Alice Parker, b. 1925)
Postlude: Allegro from Sonata I (Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847)

Oct. 31 – Reformation Sunday (11:00 AM)
Junior Choir & Liberty Bell quartet
Prelude: Intercession (Kevin Dill)
Anthem: Hear My Words (Stephen Paulus, b.1949)
Postlude: Psalm XIX (Benedetto Marcello, 1686-1739)
Choral Evensong at Christ Episcopal Church (4:00 PM)
The combined choirs of First Presbyterian Church
and Christ Episcopal Church (William Witherup, choirmaster)
Preces and Responses: in G (William Witherup, b.1944)
Canticles: Evening Service in C (Charles Villiers Stanford, 1852-1924)
Anthem: O Sing Joyfully (Adrian Batten, 1591-1637)

September music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)

Sept. 5 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (9:30 AM)
Chancel Choir
Introit: Day By Day (Harold Friedell, 1905-1958)
Anthem: Shall We Gather at the River (arr. John Carter, b.1930)
Postlude: March (Louis Lefébure-Wely, 1817-1867)

Sept. 12 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (regular 11:00 hours resume this week)
Chancel Choir
Introit: Splendor Paternae Gloriae (plainsong, mode i)
Anthem: O For a Closer Walk with God (C.V. Stanford, 1852-1924)
Postlude: Postlude in D (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

Sept. 19 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir
Introit: Try Me, O God (James Nares, 1715-1783)
Anthem: I Will Arise and Go to Jesus (arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw)
Postlude: Prelude in G, BWV 550 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Sept. 26 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Introit: Come Away to the Skies (arr. Alice Parker, b.1925)
Offertory: I Ring My Praise to God (Howard Starks, b.1928)
Postlude: Prelude in F Sharp Major (Johann Ludwig Krebs, 1713-1780)

Choral Scholarships available

First Presbyterian Church of Meadville has scholarships available for students willing to sing with our Chancel Choir for the 2010-2011 season. Singers must be able to commit to Thursday evening rehearsals (7:30-9:00) and Sunday morning worship (10:20-12:00).

As this program is intended to be a learning opportunity, preference will be given to:
- those in post-secondary studies,
- those taking music lessons privately or through a college or conservatory,
- high school students with the musical ability to sing in an adult choir.

Preference will be given to candidates with choral experience and music reading ability, though we will consider all potential singers on their own merit. For further information contact Kevin Dill at the church.

No robes -- no rehearsals -- no commitment!

All voices are welcome in First Presbyterian's Summer Choir. We will meet at 9:00 to warm up for the 9:30 service on Sundays from August 1 to September 5. The repertoire will be easier than the choir's usual fare. Join us for just one day, or for all six! Contact Kevin Dill for further information.

Musicians needed!

Kevin Dill is seeking musicians to share their talents with us during our summer worship services (Sundays at 9:30 AM) from June 20 through July 25. If you are in town and willing to participate, please contact Kevin or the church office.

May music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)


May 2 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: The Lamb (Sir John Tavener, b.1944)
Anthem: Christ’s Flock (Martin Shaw, 1875-1958)
Postlude: Postlude in D, op. 50 no. 2 (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

May 9 – Sixth Sunday of Easter (8:30 & 11:00)
Junior Choir – Mother’s Day Musical
“Zeroes into Heroes” by Joanne Barrett, Dwight Thomas, and Nan Allen
Prelude: Gideon Encourages the Soldiers of Israel (J. Kuhnau, 1660-1722)
Postlude: Toccata in E (Johann Ludwig Krebs, 1713-1780)

May 16 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Liberty Bell quintet
Prelude: Peal for 13 Bells (Richard Proulx, 1937-2010)
Offertory: Aria (Cynthia Dobrinski, b.1950)
Postlude: Allegro Maestoso, Sonata II (Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847)

May 23 – Pentecost Sunday
Musica Divina Chamber Choir
Introit: If Ye Love Me (Thomas Tallis, c.1505-1585)
Anthem: Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (Harold Friedell, 1905-1958)
Postlude: Komm Heiliger Geist (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

May 30 – Trinity Sunday (9:30 summer hours begin this week)
Youth Sunday
Music provided by the youth of the church

Musical Poetry

We received a delightful poem from Jeanette Reynolds of Erie, who won first prize in our 2009 hymn text competition with her text "At The Table". Jeanette wrote the following after attending our Bach concert last month.


CONCERT

for Kevin Dill



With shoes as soft as rabbits’ ears,

he pedals lightly,

his toes dancing,

bringing Bach,

born these 325 years ago,

to life again,



while in the pews,

glistening prisms

like tiny searchlights,

arise from the heads of listeners:

St. Lucia’s rainbow crown of music;



and clouds of quarter notes

massage hearts

like raindrops on parched ground

now wet with melody;



and then the ending crescendo

pulses through our bodies

purifying us with vibrations of life

from one long dead,



each note an echo

of the stained-glass window.





© 2010 by Jeanette Reynolds Keenan

No part of this poem may be published, reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without my written permission

April music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)

Apr. 11 – Second Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: I To the Hills Lift Up Mine Eyes (Jean Berger, 1909-2002)
Anthem: Saints Bound for Heaven (arr. Robert Shaw & Alice Parker)
Postlude: March (Henry Purcell, 1659-1695, arr. C.H. Trevor)

Apr. 18 – Third Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: This Joyful Eastertide (arr. Alice Parker, b.1925)
Anthem: Jubilate Deo in C (Leo Sowerby, 1895-1968)
Postlude: Postlude in g minor, op. 50 no. 1 (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

Apr. 25 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Liberty Bells & Women of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Psalm 23 (Srul Irving Glick, 1934-2002)
Offertory: Prelude & Minuet, from Petite Suite (A. Torovsky, 1894-1967)
Postlude: Finale, Concerto in G (Prince J. Ernst, 1696-1715, arr. Bach)

Holy Week music list posted

Apr. 1 – Maundy Thursday Communion Service (7:30 PM)
Chancel Choir; Audrey Slote, cello
Introit: Christus Factus Est (José Maurício Nuñes García, 1767-1830)
Communion: Andante, Gamba Sonata in D (J. S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Anthem: He Was Despised (Karl Heinrich Graun, 1704-1759)


Apr. 2 – Good Friday Tenebrae Service (12:00 noon)
Sponsored by the Meadville Area Ministerial Association
Audrey Slote, cello
Introit: Kyrie Orbis Factor (plainsong, mode I)
Interlude: Andante, from Gamba Sonata in D (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)


Apr. 4 – Easter Sunday (9:00 & 11:00 AM)
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir; Jennifer Dearden, trumpet
Preservice Music: Toccata in C, BWV 564 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Prelude: Peal for 13 Handbells (Richard Proulx, 1937-2010)
Anthem: Most Glorious Lord of Life (William H. Harris, 1883-1973)
Offertory Interlude: Festival Interlude (Kevin Dill)
Choral Response: Alleluia (Andrea Gabrieli, 1510-1586)
Postlude: Finale, from Symphony II (Charles-Marie Widor, 1844-1937)

Bach 325: an anniversary celebration

Sonatas, Suites, and other instrumental works

Juanita Shutsa, flute
Audrey Slote, cello
Jennifer Dearden, trumpet
Kevin Dill, organ and piano

Sunday, March 28, 3:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church
890 Liberty St, Meadville

free admission

March music list posted

Mar. 7 – 3rd Sunday in Lent
Chancel Choir
Introit: Try Me, O God (James Nares, 1715-1783)
Anthem: What Wondrous Love is This (arr. William Witherup, b. 1945)
Postlude: Pater Noster (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

Mar. 14 – 4th Sunday in Lent
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Introit: Richard de Castre’s Prayer to Jesus (R. R. Terry, 1864-1938)
Offertory: Interlude (Eugene Butler, b.1935)
Postlude: Fugue in G (Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847)

Mar. 21 – 5th Sunday in Lent – music director on vacation

Mar. 28 – Palm Sunday
Junior Choir & Gentlemen of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Pueri Hebraeorum (plainsong, mode i)
Anthem: On Humble Beast Now Rides the King (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Postlude: Valet Will Ich Dir Geben (J. S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Ash Wednesday Service

First Presbyterian's annual Ash Wednesday service takes place on February 17th at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The deacons will serve a simple meal of bread and soup. Following the meal, the service will include the sacrament of Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes (for those who choose).

Parents of children in the junior choir: please remember that the children are singing at this service. Please have your child at the church by 5:45 for a warmup in the music room.

February music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)


Feb. 7 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Women of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Dulcis Christe (Michaelangelo Grancini, 1605-1669)
Anthem: Wir Eilen Mit Schwachen, Cantata 78 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Postlude: Finale, Concerto in a minor (A. Vivaldi, 1678-1741, arr. Bach)

Feb. 14 – The Transfiguration of the Lord
Chancel Choir
Introit: Oculi Omnium (Charles Wood, 1866-1926)
Anthem: Thine, O Lord, is the Greatness (James Kent, 1700-1776)
Postlude: Te Deum Laudaumus (Dietrich Buxtehude, 1637-1707)

Feb. 17 – Ash Wednesday Communion Service (6:00 PM)
Junior Choir
Anthem: Jesus, Refuge of the Weary (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Feb. 21 – 1st Sunday in Lent
Chancel Choir & Liberty Bells
Introit: O Salutaris Hostia (Alexandre Guilmant, 1837-1911)
Kyrie Eleison: Mass for Four Voices (William Byrd, 1540-1623)
Offertory: Sweet Hour of Prayer (arr. Sondra Tucker)
Postlude: Prelude in g minor, BWV 535 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Feb. 28 – 2nd Sunday in Lent
Junior Choir
Prelude: Improvisation, from Suite Médiévale (Jean Langlais, 1907-1991)
Anthem: Christ Went Up Into the Hills Alone (Roberta Bitgood, 1908-2007)
Postlude: Fughetta in d minor (Healey Willan, 1880-1968)

Meeting for Parents of Youth

Kevin Dill would like to invite parents of youth in grades 6-12 to a meeting to discuss ideas for reviving a music program for that age group. This meeting will be next Sunday, the 17th, in the library following the 11:00 service. Youth are welcome to attend the meeting as well. Your support is important in order for us to plan successful programs!

January music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)


Jan. 3 – 2nd Sunday after Christmas
Chancel Choir
Introit: A New Year Carol (Benjamin Britten, 1913-1976)
Anthem: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Postlude: March (Henry Purcell, 1659-1695, arr. C.H. Trevor)

Jan. 10 – The Baptism of the Lord
Chancel Choir
Introit: Divinum Mysterium (plainsong, mode V)
Anthem: This is the Hour of Banquet and of Song (Alfred Fedak, b.1953)
Postlude: Fugue in C, BWV 545 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Jan. 17 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir
Introit: Lead Me, Lord (Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1810-1876)
Anthem: The Wings of the Morning (Alice Parker, b.1925)
Postlude: Postlude in G (Charles Villiers Stanford, 1852-1924)

Jan. 24 – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Junior Choir & Chancel Choir
Introit: I To the Hills Lift Up Mine Eyes (Jean Berger, 1909-2002)
Anthem: Lord, Lead Us Day By Day (G.F. Handel, 1685-1759, arr.Hopson)
Postlude: Allein Gott in der Höh Sei Ehr (Georg Böhm, 1661-1733)

Jan. 31 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir & Liberty Bells
Introit: Richard de Castre’s Prayer to Jesus (R.R. Terry, 1865-1938)
Offertory: Marche Pontificale (Charles Gounod, 1818-1893, arr. Dill)
Postlude: Dum Esset Rex, from 15 Antiphons (Marcel Dupré, 1886-1971)