Christmas Organ Recital

Organ Music for Christmas
Tuesday, December 16, 11:45 AM
Kevin Dill, organist
on the 2500-pipe Schlicker organ (built 1972)
with guest soprano Sonya Eagles-Dill

Bach Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 541
Blatchly Three Versets on 'Away in a Manger'
French Carol, arr. Willan Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agreable
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.

December music list

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

Dec. 7 – 2nd Sunday in Advent
Chancel Choir
Introit: For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits (Marty Haugen, b.1945)
Anthem: Keep Your Lamps (Spiritual, arr. André Thomas, b.1958)

Dec. 14 – 3rd Sunday in Advent; A Service of Lessons & Carols
French Creek Brass Quintet & Chancel Choir
Carol: O Remember Adam’s Fall (English, 17th century)
Carol: Hail, Blessed Virgin Mary (Italian, arr. Charles Wood, 1866-1926)
Carol: In the Bleak Midwinter (Kevin Dill)

Dec. 21 – 4th Sunday in Advent
Liberty Bells
Prelude: Celebration in C (Michael Keller, b. 1952)
Offertory: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (arr. Kevin McChesney, b.1958)

Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (10:00 PM)
Chancel Choir; Glenn Thompson, tenor; Michael Miller, baritone
Introit: I Wonder As I Wander (Appalachian folk carol)
Solo: Behold, I Bring You Glad Tidings (Maurice Greene, 1695-1753)
Anthem: Gesù Bambino (Pietro Yon, 1886-1943)
Candlelighting Chant: Creator of the Stars of Night (plainsong, mode IV)

November music list

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

Nov. 2 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bell Choir
Prelude: Reflection (Kevin Dill)
Offertory: Carillon (Kevin Dill)

Nov. 9 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Come, Let Us Sing Unto the Lord (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Anthem: Down By the Riverside (traditional American, arr. John Rutter, b.1945)

Nov. 16 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Magnify the Lord With Me (Serbian Orthodox Melody)
Anthem: This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made (John C. Bechler, 1784-1857)

Nov. 23 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost; Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering Sunday
Saint Hildegard Choir
Introit: From the Rising of the Sun (Russian Orthodox Chant)
Anthem: Down In the River To Pray (traditional American, arr. Mark Liversidge)

Nov. 30 – 1st Sunday in Advent
Liberty Bell Choir
Prelude: A Festive Entrada (Cynthia Dobrinski, b. 1950)
Offertory: Savior of the Nations, Come (medieval, arr. Cathy Moklebust, b.1958)
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night (plainsong, mode IV)

October music list

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

Oct. 5 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost; World Communion Sunday
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Lord, Open Thou Our Lips (William Witherup, b.1945)
Anthem: We Gather At Your Table, Lord (Irish melody, arr. Walter Ehret)
Communion: Adoro Te Devote (plainsong, mode V)

Oct. 12 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bell Choir
Prelude: Minuet in C minor (Henry Purcell, 1659-1695, arr. W. Hornibrook)
Offertory: Ring For Joy (Douglas Wagner, b.1952)

Oct. 19 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost
Chancel Choir
Introit: Father, Thy Holy Spirit Send (Melchior Franck, 1573-1639)
Anthem: Holy, Holy (Spiritual, arr. Alice Parker, b.1925)

Oct. 26 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost; Reformation Sunday
French Creek Brass Quintet & Saint Hildegard Choir
Preservice Music: Three Pieces (Johann Christoph Pezel, 1639-1694)
Introit: As You Cause the Sun to Rise (plainsong, arr. Kevin Dill)
Offertory: March, from Occasional Oratorio (G.F. Handel, 1685-1759)
Call to Prayer: Kyrie, from Mass for Three Voices (Antonio Lotti, 1667-1740)
Postlude: My Spirit Be Joyful, from Cantata 68 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Meet our Choral Scholars

First Presbyterian Church of Meadville is pleased to announce the following recipients of its Pletcher Choral Scholarships for the 2014-15 academic year:

Chelsea Hubert, soprano, from North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Chelsea is a junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Geology. This is her first year in our choir.

Breana Gallagher, soprano, from Guys Mills, Pennsylvania. Breana is a senior pursuing a triple major in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Music. This is her first year in our choir.

Lauren Dominique, soprano, from Willington, Connecticut. Lauren is a junior pursuing a double major in Creative Writing and Women’s Studies. This is her third year in our choir.

Drew Daigle, tenor, from Northborough, Massachusetts. Drew is a junior majoring in Communication Arts and minoring in Psychology. This is his third year in our choir.

John Knobel, tenor, from Carlisle, Massachusetts. John is a sophomore pursuing a double major in Music and Psychology. This is his second year in our choir.

Established in 2008 by a bequest from the estate of the late Ralph and Mabel Pletcher of Meadville, these scholarships are awarded annually to Allegheny College students in order to gain musical experience by singing in the church's 24-voice Chancel Choir. Singers are chosen on the basis of their vocal range, music-reading ability, and commitment to the art of choral singing.

September music list

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

Aug. 31 – 12th Sunday after Pentecost (9:30 AM)
Chancel Choir
Introit: O Worship the Lord (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Anthem: This Is The Day (John C. Bechler, 1784-1857)

Sept. 7 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost (regular 11:00 service resumes this week)
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Introit: Lord, for Thy Tender Mercies' Sake (attrib. Farrant/Hilton)
Offertory: Jubliation (Mary Kay Parrish, b.1940)

Sept. 14 – 14th Sunday after Pentecost
Chancel Choir
Introit: As You Cause the Sun to Rise (plainsong, arr. Kevin Dill)
Anthem: My Soul, O God, Longs For Thee (Michael McCabe, b. 1941)

Sept. 21 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost
St Hildegard Choir
Introit: Non Nobis, Domine (anonymous, 16th century)
Motet: Panis Angelicus (Claudio Casciolini, 1697-1760)

Sept. 28 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Prelude: Fanfare (Johan Helmich Roman, 1694-1758, arr. Martha Thompson)
Anthem: Heavenly Light (Alexander Kopilov, 1854-1911)

'Godspell' comes to First Presbyterian

The music group ELATION of St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Mesquite, Texas, will appear in concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Meadville on Thursday, June 26 at 7:00 pm.

ELATION is composed of 33 youth ranging in age from 12 to 18. This troupe was formed in 1999, and has since performed the musical Godspell for over 150 congregations in 33 states and in Canada. The Meadville performance is part of ELATION's 2014 twelve-day, ten-state summer tour.

Godspell, written in 1971 by American composer Stephen Schwartz, draws mainly on parables from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke to retell the story of Christ's ministry. The musical had a successful run of 527 performances on Broadway, and has since been acclaimed by audiences worldwide.

A freewill collection will be taken during the performance. First Presbyterian Church is located at 890 Liberty Street in Meadville; for further information visit www.elationyouth.com or phone 333-2161.