Christmas organ recital

Organ Music for Christmas
Tuesday, December 17, 11:45 AM
Kevin Dill, organist
on the 2500-pipe Schlicker organ (built 1972)

Handel (arr. Potts) Overture from 'An Occasional Oratorio'
Yon Il Natale in Sicilia (Christmas in Sicily)
Bedford A Christmas Suite

Presented as part of First Presbyterian's 'Lunch At First' series.
Admission to the recital is free, with a $5 lunch available afterwards.

Advent music list

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

Dec. 1 – 1st Sunday in Advent
Hannah Phillips, mezzo-soprano
Introit: En Prière (Gabriel Fauré, 1845-1924)
Offertory: Jesus Christ the Apple-Tree (Kevin Dill)
Communion: Veni Emmanuel (plainsong, mode I)

Dec. 8 – 2nd Sunday in Advent
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Introit: Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes (Kevin Dill)
Offertory: Procession on ‘Veni Emmanuel’ (Cynthia Dobrinski, b.1950)

Dec. 15 – 3rd Sunday in Advent; Service of Lessons & Carols
French Creek Brass Quintet & Chancel Choir
Preservice Music: Music for a Ceremony (Alfred Fedak, b.1953)
Carol: Adam Lay Ybounden (John Ireland, 1879-1962)
Carol: Comfort Ye My People (Genevan Psalter, arr. David Giardiniere, b.1955)
Carol: Hail, Blessed Virgin Mary (Italian, arr. Charles Wood, 1866-1926)
Carol: In Dulci Jubilo (German, arr. David Giardiniere, b.1955)
Carol: Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child (English, arr. David Giardiniere, b.1955)
Postlude: We Wish You a Merry Christmas (English, arr. John Rutter, b.1945)

Dec. 22 – 4th Sunday in Advent
Liberty Bells
Prelude: The Holly and the Ivy (English carol, arr. Kevin McChesney)
Offertory: Carol of the Bells (Mykola Leontovych, 1877-1921, arr. W. Witherup)

November music list

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

Nov. 3 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost
Chancel Choir
Anthem: Lord, For Thy Tender Mercies’ Sake (attrib. Richard Farrant)

Nov. 10 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bells & Lower Voices of the Chancel Choir
Prelude: Jerusalem, My Happy Home (arr. Betty Garee, 1927-1986)
Motet: Jubilate Deo (Kevin Dill)

Nov. 17 – 26th Sunday after Pentecost
Chancel Choir
Introit: I Will Receive the Cup of Salvation (Greek Orthodox Chant)
Anthem: Behold My Servant (Bruce Bengtson, b.1956)

Nov. 24 – 27th Sunday after Pentecost; Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering Sunday
Sopranos of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Adonai Yimloch, from Three Hebrew Psalms (Michael Braz, b.1943)
Anthem: The God of Love My Shepherd Is (Eric Thiman, 1900-1975)

Basically British

The Allegheny College Department of Music
and the First Presbyterian Church of Meadville present
BASICALLY BRITISH
Vocal and instrumental music from the British Isles

Saturday, October 26, 2013 -- 7:30 PM
Ford Chapel, Allegheny College
free admission

Program to include:

Benjamin Britten Fanfare for St Edmundsbury
Gustav Holst Hymn from 'Jupiter'
Allegheny College Trumpet Ensemble

Guy Ratcliffe Pastorale and Dance
Kinesis Handbell Ensemble

Henry Purcell Sonata for Trumpet
Jennifer Dearden, trumpet; Kevin Dill, organ

Edward German Ballet music from 'Henry VIII'
Kevin Dill, piano

Roger Quilter Two songs
Drew Daigle, tenor

Giles Farnaby Fancies, Toyes, & Dreames
Allegheny College Brass Quintet

William Byrd The Queen's Allemande
Kevin Dill, organ

French Creek Brass

Our guest musicians at the 11:00 service on Sunday, October 20 will be the French Creek Brass Ensemble. This quintet comprises Jennifer Dearden and Daniel Honeycutt of Meadville, trumpets; Ken Russo of Pittsburgh, horn; Ronald Stitt of Edinboro, trombone; and Gary Viebranz of Erie, tuba. Join us for worship that morning as the quintet offers music by Percy Grainger, Jeremy Bankson, and John Cheetham.

October music list

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

Oct. 6 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost; World Communion Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: I Feed By Faith on Christ (Thurlow Weed, b.1966)
Motet: Ubi Caritas (Ola Gjeilo, b.1978)
Communion: Adoro Te Devote (plainsong, mode V)

Oct. 13 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Hope, from Chime Suite (Lynne Hollander)
Offertory: Allegro Festivo (Kevin Dill)

Oct. 20 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
French Creek Brass Quintet & Chancel Choir
Prelude: Irish Tune from County Derry (arr. Percy Grainger, 1882-1961)
Introit: Unto Thee, O Lord (Robert Powell, b. 1932)
Offertory: Trumpet Tune (Jeremy Bankson, b.1975)
Postlude: Scherzo (John Cheetham, b.1939)

Oct. 27 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost; Reformation Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: Rejoice in the Lord (John Bishop, 1665-1737)
Anthem: New Songs of Celebration Render (Genevan Psalter, arr. Dale Ferguson)

Meet our choral scholars

First Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce the recipients of our Pletcher Choral Scholarships for the 2013-14 academic year. These scholarships are awarded to Allegheny College students in exchange for singing in our Chancel Choir. The following five students have been selected to receive scholarships:

Caitlyn Askey, soprano, is from Mechanicsville, Maryland. Caitlyn is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Music. This is her third year in our choir.

Sara St. Peter, soprano, is from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Sara is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Music. This is her second year in our choir.

Lauren Dominique, soprano, is from Willington, Connecticut. Lauren is a sophomore pursuing a double major in English and Women’s Studies, and a minor in Theater. This is her second year in our choir.

Drew Daigle, tenor, is from Groton, Massachusetts. Drew is a sophomore with an as-yet undecided major. This is his second year in our choir.

Will McInally, tenor, is from Meadville. Will is a senior majoring in Physics and minoring in Music. This is his first year in our choir -- although as Will grew up in this congregation, he previously sang in the junior choir.

September music list

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

Sept. 1 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost (last week of 9:30 AM summer hours)
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Anthem: Gloria in Excelsis (Healey Willan, 1880-1968)

Sept. 8 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost (regular 11:00 worship resumes this week)
Chancel Choir
Introit: Unto Him that Loved Us (Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958)
Anthem: Shall We Gather at the River (arr. John Carter, b.1930)

Sept. 15 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Oremus (Kevin Dill)
Offertory: In Pastures Green (Philip M. Young, b.1937)

Sept. 22 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Sopranos of the Chancel Choir
Introit: A Prayer of St Richard of Chichester (L. J. White, 1910-1984)
Anthem: My Voice Shalt Thou Hear (Joseph Corfe, 1740-1820)

Sept. 29 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost
Lower Voices of the Chancel Choir
Introit: From the Rising of the Sun (Russian Orthodox Chant)
Anthem: Bound for the Promised Land (Early American, arr. Kevin Dill)

Musicians wanted!

Kevin Dill is seeking volunteers willing to contribute their talents to our Sunday worship services (9:30 only during the summer months). Vocalists and instrumentalists of all sorts are welcome, and those who don't normally participate in our music program are especially encouraged to step forward. Contact Kevin via the church office to arrange a Sunday.

Current music list

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

Apr. 7 – 2nd Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Worship the Lord (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Anthem: Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord (John Christian Bechler, 1784-1857)

Apr. 14 – 3rd Sunday of Easter
Junior Choir & Chancel Choir
Introit: We Sing of Jesus Christ (Thomas Gieschen, 1931-2006)
Anthem: All The Earth Sing Forth (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750, arr. Hopson)

Apr. 21 – 4th Sunday of Easter
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Processional (Donald Allured, 1922-2011)
Offertory: Lead On, O King Eternal (arr. Linda McKechnie)

Apr. 28 – 5th Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: Perfect Peace (Jack Laub)
Anthem: Gloria, from Heiligmesse (Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809)

May 5 – 6th Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: Ye Men of Galilee (Healey Willan, 1880-1968)
Canticle: Benedictus Es Domine (Austin Lovelace, 1919-2010)

May 12 - 7th Sunday of Easter
Intergenerational Choir
Anthem: Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet (Spiritual, arr. Jean Ashworth Bartle)

May 19 - Day of Pentecost
Liberty Bells; Nancy Smith, soprano
Introit: Spiritus Domini (Kevin Dill)
Offertory: My Heart Rejoices (Derek Hakes)
Communion: Veni Creator Spiritus (plainsong, mode VIII)

Current music list

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

Feb. 24 – 2nd Sunday in Lent
Gentlemen of the Chancel Choir
Introit: O Christ, Thou Lamb of God (Jan Bender, 1909-1994)
Anthem: For Know Ye Not, from St Paul (Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847)

Mar. 3 – 3rd Sunday in Lent
Liberty Bells and Women of the Chancel Choir
Prelude: Matins (Cynthia Dobrinski, b.1950)
Anthem: Domine Deus, from Gloria (Antonio Vivaldi, 1678-1741)

Mar. 10 – 4th Sunday in Lent
Junior Choir and Chancel Choir
Introit: What Wondrous Love Is This (arr. William Witherup, b.1945)
Anthem: A Lenten Prayer (Robert Powell, b. 1932)

Mar. 17 – 5th Sunday in Lent
Music director on vacation

Mar. 24 – Palm Sunday
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Ride on, King Jesus (Spiritual, arr. Sharon E. Rogers, b. 1953)
Offertory: Ribaltimento (Kathleen Wissinger, b.1957)

Mar. 28 – Maundy Thursday Communion Service (7:30 PM)
Chancel Choir
Introit: God Forbid That I Should Glory (Healey Willan, 1880-1968)
Kyrie Eleison: Short Mass in C (Sir Richard R. Terry, 1865-1938)
Motet: O Sacrum Convivium (Georg Viktor Weber, 1838-1911)
Communion: Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott Lässt Walten (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Mar. 31 – Easter Sunday (9:00 & 11:00 AM)
Chancel Choir; Dr. Jennifer Dearden, trumpet
Prelude: Trio Sonata in E flat, BWV 525 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Introit: We Have Seen the Resurrection of Christ (Kevin Dill)
Interlude: Lied (Eugène Bozza, 1905-1991)
Anthem: Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain (R.S. Thatcher, 1888-1957)
Postlude: Pièce d’Orgue, BWV 572 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Sonic Alchemy

Sonic Alchemy
solo, duo, and ensemble music for brass and organ

Featuring the Allegheny College brass players
with guest performer soprano Vicki Jamison
and organist Kevin Dill

Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St, Meadville
Free admission

Current music list

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

Jan. 20 – 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Prelude: Fanfare for Bells (Mary McCleary, b.1924)
Anthem: The Lord’s My Shepherd (arr. John Carter, b.1930)


Jan. 27 – 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Chancel Choir
Introit: To God with the Lamb and the Dove (Sacred Harp, 1844)
Anthem: The Prayers I Make (Jane Marshall, b.1924)


Feb. 3 – 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Junior Choir & Chancel Choir
Introit: Prayer of a Russian Saint (Kevin Dill)
Anthem: The Gift to be Simple (arr. Dale Wood, b.1934)


Feb. 10 – The Transfiguration of the Lord
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Introit: He’s the Lily of the Valley (arr. Alice Parker, b.1925)
Offertory: Jubilation (William Melton, b.1940)


Feb. 13 – Ash Wednesday Communion Service (6:00 PM)
Junior Choir
Anthem: A Lenten Prayer (Robert Powell, b.1932)


Feb. 17 – 1st Sunday in Lent
Chancel Choir
Introit: A Lent Prose (plainsong, mode V)
Kyrie Eleison: Alexandre Pierre François Boëly (1785-1858)
Anthem: Bow Down Thine Ear, O Lord (John Bishop, 1665-1737)
Communion: Adoro Te Devote (versets from an anon. manuscript, 1598)