Photos from Lessons & Carols

Lessons & Carols -- December 13, 2015

Christmas Organ Recital

The First Presbyterian Church of Meadville presents
Kevin Dill, organist
with guest soprano Sonya Eagles-Dill

Tuesday, December 15, 11:45 AM

Zipoli Prelude & Canzona
Bach Nur Ein Wink Von Seinen Handen (Christmas Oratorio)
Leavitt A Christmas Suite
Frost Introduction & Variations on 'Mendelssohn'

admission to the recital is free; a $5 lunch is available in the fellowship hall following the program

Lessons & Carols

the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church
and the French Creek Brass Quintet present

A Service of Lessons & Carols for Advent & Christmas
Sunday, December 13, 11:00 AM

featuring traditional carols plus choral music by Praetorius, Dyson, and Dill

December music list

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

Dec. 6 – 2nd Sunday of Advent
Chancel Choir
Introit: Let The Clouds Rain Down (Charles Giffen, b. 1940)
Anthem: Lift Up Your Heads (John Bell, b.1949)

Dec. 13 – 3rd Sunday of Advent; Service of Lessons & Carols
French Creek Brass Quintet & Chancel Choir
Carol: O Remember Adam’s Fall (English, 17th century)
Canticle: Magnificat in C minor (George Dyson, 1883-1964)
Carol: Sweet Was the Song (Kevin Dill, 2015)
Carol: Psallite Unigenito (arr. Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621)

Dec. 20 – 4th Sunday of Advent
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Gdy Siȩ Chrystus Rodzi (Polish Carol, arr. Ken Danchik, b.1959)
Offertory: I Saw Three Ships (English Carol, arr. Barbara Kinyon, b.1929)

Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (10:00 PM)
Liberty Bells, Chancel Choir, tenor Glenn Thompson, flutist Juanita Shutsa
Introit: I Wonder as I Wander (Appalachian folk carol)
Carol: Psallite Unigenito (arr. Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621)
Offertory: Flute Sonata in F (Georg Phillip Telemann, 1681-1767)
Chant: Puer Natus in Bethlehem (plainsong, mode I)

November music list

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

Nov. 1 – All Saints Day; Renewal Weekend
‘Book of Exodus’ Dramatic Presentation: no choirs or bells

Nov. 8 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bells & Women of the Chancel Choir
Prelude: Grazioso (Georg Philipp Telemann, 1681-1767)
Anthem: My Prayer (Donald Humphreys, 1909-1968)

Nov. 15 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Gentlemen of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Let All the World in Every Corner Sing (Geoffrey Shaw, 1879-1943)
Offertory: Lord God of Abraham, from Elijah (Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847)

Nov. 22 – Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: In Peace, Let Us Pray (Richard Hillert, 1923-2010)
Anthem: D’ror Yikra (Yemenite Melody, arr. Alice Parker, b.1925)

Nov. 29 – 1st Sunday of Advent
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Intonation on ‘Veni Emmanuel’ (Jerry Davidson, b.1949)
Offertory: Veni Jesu Amor Mi (Luigi Chreubini, 1760-1842, arr. K. Snyder)

Faculty recital at Ford Chapel

The Allegheny College Department of Music presents

Jennifer Dearden trumpet
Susanna Reilly cello

accompanied by Kevin Dill

music of Bach, Vaughan Williams, McKee, Sampson, and Ewazen

Sunday, November 1, 2015
3:15 PM
Ford Chapel, Allegheny College, Meadville

free admission

October music list

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

Oct. 4 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost; World Communion Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: Glorious Jesus (William Billings, 1746-1800)
Motet: O Sacrum Convivium (Roberto Remondi, 1851-1928)

Oct. 11 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Oremus (Kevin Dill, 2012)
Offertory: Come, Ring Joy (Howard Starks, b.1928)

Oct. 18 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost
French Creek Brass Quintet & Chancel Choir
Introit: Speak to One Another (Jean Berger, 1909-2002)
Brass selections to be announced

Oct. 25 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost; Reformation Sunday
Saint Hildegard Choir
Introit: Bless the Lord, O My Soul (Greek Chant)
Anthem: Justus Es Domine (Orlando Di Lasso, c.1530-1594)

September music list

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

Sept. 6 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost (9:30 AM)
Gentlemen of the Chancel Choir
Prelude: Fantasia in C (Orlando Gibbons, 1583-1625)
Motet: Jesu Patris (Jean-Baptiste Lajarrige, 1858-1923)

Sept. 13 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost (11:00 AM services resume this week)
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Anthem: A New Commandment (Peter Aston, 1938-2013)

Sept. 20 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost
St Hildegard Choir
Introit: Out of the Night, Watching Early for Thee (Russian Orthodox Chant)
Anthem: Followers of the Lamb (Shaker hymn, arr. Kevin Dill)

Sept. 27 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Chancel Choir
Introit: Entrance Hymn (Dmitri Razumovsky, 1818-1898)
Anthem: Come and Go with Me (Spiritual, arr. Alice Parker, b.1925)

A Musical Tribute to Rebecca Borthwick-Aiken

The First Presbyterian Church of Meadville presents a musical tribute to its former Music Director, Rebecca Borthwick-Aiken, on Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 PM. This free concert honors Borthwick-Aiken’s fifty years of musical service to the community.

Borthwick-Aiken, a native of Iowa, arrived in Meadville in 1965 after completing a Masters Degree in Sacred Music from the School of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary, Manhattan. She served First Presbyterian for 41 years until her retirement in 2006. Since that time she has remained active as an organist and choir director, initially at Wesbury retirement community and subsequently at the Presbyterian Church of Edinboro. In addition to church work, Borthwick-Aiken also served as the instructor of organ at Allegheny College.

The tribute concert includes performances from some of Borthwick-Aiken’s colleagues and former students, including organists James Ross and Maidene Hackett; pianists Lowell, Laura, and David Hepler; flutist Juanita Shutsa; violinist Lauren Falco; and tenor Glenn Thompson. The church’s 10-member Liberty Bell ensemble will also ring. Kevin Dill, the current Director of Music, accompanies the soloists and directs the bell choir.

A reception will follow the concert.

Summer worship hours

From May 31 through September 6, First Presbyterian will be on its summer worship schedule: one service at 9:30 AM only. While the Chancel Choir and Liberty Bells are on hiatus over the summer, there will be special music offered by a vocal or instrumental soloist each week. If you are interested in offering your musical talents at one of our summer services, Director of Music Kevin Dill would be delighted to hear from you!

May music list

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

May 3 – 5th Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Lowell Mason, 1792-1872)
Canticle: Benedictus Es Domine (Austin Lovelace, 1919-2010)

May 10 – 6th Sunday of Easter
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Prelude in C minor (Howard Starks, b.1928)
Offertory: Ribaltimento (Kathleen Wissinger, b.1957)

May 17 – 7th Sunday of Easter
Juanita Shutsa, flute
Offertory: Mélodie (Arthur Foote, 1853-1937)

May 24 – The Day of Pentecost
Liberty Bells
Offertory: With Joyful Hearts (Barbara Kinyon, b.1929)

April music list

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

Apr. 2 – Maundy Thursday Communion Service (7:30 PM)
Chancel Choir; Juanita Shutsa, flute
Introit: Agnus Dei, from New Plainsong (David Hurd, b.1950)
Offertory Anthem: Saw Ye My Savior? (Early American, arr. David Johnson)
Communion Interlude: Versets in G minor (Domenico Zipoli, 1688-1726)

Apr. 5 – Easter Sunday (9:00 & 11:00 AM)
French Creek Brass Quintet & Chancel Choir
Preservice Music: Prelude, Op. 117 No. 8 (Claude Debussy, 1862-1918)
Introit: Easter Anthem (William Billings, 1746-1800)
Offertory Interlude: Easter Hymn Medley (arr. Arthur Frackenpohl, b.1924)
Postlude: Oh! Had I Jubal’s Lyre (G.F. Handel, 1685-1759, arr. David Marlatt)

Apr. 12 – 2nd Sunday of Easter
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Celebration in F (Michael Keller, b. 1958)
Offertory Interlude: Jubilant Fanfare (Kevin McChesney, b.1963)

Apr. 19 – 3rd Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Anthem: Followers of the Lamb (19th c. Shaker tune, arr. Kevin Dill)

Apr. 26 – 4th Sunday of Easter
Chancel Choir
Introit: Glorious Jesus (William Billings, 1746-1800)
Anthem: Awake, Thou Wintry Earth, from Cantata #129 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

March music list

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

Mar. 1 – 2nd Sunday in Lent
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Prelude: Prayer (Arnold Sherman, b.1948)
Anthem: Bow Down Thine Ear, O Lord (John Bishop, 1665-1737)

Mar. 8 – 3rd Sunday in Lent
Chancel Choir
Introit: Out of the Night, Watching Early for Thee (Russian Orthodox Chant)
Anthem: Wilt Not Thou Turn Again, O Lord (Philip Dietterich, b.1931)

Mar. 15 – 4th Sunday in Lent
Juanita Shutsa, flute
Prelude: Ego Sum Pastor Bonus (Frederick Karam, 1926-1978)
Offertory: Minuet, from Suite in B minor (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Mar. 22 – 5th Sunday in Lent
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Sarabande, from Suite XI (G.F. Handel, 1685-1759, arr. Frances Callahan)
Offertory: Meditation (Lew Gillis, 1927-1989)

Mar. 29 – Palm Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: Let All the Gates Be Opened Wide (Johannes Brahms, 1833-1897, arr. Hal Hopson)
Anthem: Acclamation for Palm Sunday (Kevin Dill, 2014)

Upcoming Concert: Dialogues and Diversions

First Presbyterian Church of Meadville presents
Dialogues and Diversions: Music Serious and Not-So-Serious
Saturday, February 28, 7:00 PM

Juanita Shutsa flute
Sonya Eagles-Dill soprano
Jennifer Dearden trumpet
James Niblock narrator
Kevin Dill accompanist

featuring music by Buxtehude, Strauss, Bach, Mancini, Guilmant, and Plog

free admission

January-February music list

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

Jan. 18 – 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Chancel Choir
Introit: Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem (Lowell Mason, 1792-1872)
Anthem: As Longs the Deer for Cooling Streams (Michael McCabe, b.1941)

Jan. 25 – 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Prelude: Spiritual (Douglas Wagner, b.1953)
Anthem: Bound for the Promised Land (Southern Harmony, 1835, arr. K. Dill)

Feb. 1 – 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Worship the Lord (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Anthem: How Beautiful Upon the Mountains (John Stainer, 1840-1901)

Feb. 8 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Reflection (Kevin Dill, 2014)
Offertory: Carillon (Kevin Dill, 2014)

Feb. 15 – The Transfiguration of the Lord
Chancel Choir
Introit: Rejoice in the Lord (John Bishop, 1665-1737)
Canticle: Benedictus Es, Domine (Austin Lovelace, 1919-2010)

Feb. 22 – 1st Sunday in Lent
Saint Hildegard Choir
Introit: Eternal Lord of Love (Kevin Dill, 2015)
Anthem: Call To Remembrance, O Lord (Richard Farrant, c.1525-1581)
Communion: Lent Prose (plainsong, mode V)