MUSIC

We have three areas of service. The first is that of nurturing through worship. Every Sunday, the music at both traditional and Wind services represent the very best gifts we can offer.  This area of our ministry works in tandem with the preaching ministers each Sunday, through the singing of hymns and anthems in the Meetinghouse and of praise choruses in the Wind service that reinforce the power of the spoken Word.


The second area is that of Christian education. Our adult, youth, and children's choir rehearsals often delve into the great biblical truths that are the basis of our anthems. Our Children's Musical Theatre productions bring the Bible to life in memorable ways through drama, music, and dance. 


The third area is that of outreach to the community.  With capacity audiences at our Meetinghouse Concert Series, our music ministry provides an important bridge between our church and the community of Wethersfield and surrounding areas. Concerts are a natural conduit to invite guests into our church to share the gifts of our music ministry, and all that First Church has to offer. The beauty of Christmas Eve and the splendor of Easter, well saturated with the Word and with music, are worship experiences not to be missed!


CLICK HERE to see all upcoming music concerts/events!

Click HERE to enjoy Hymns We Love...and the stories behind them.

FIRST CHURCH CHOIR

Now nearing 30 singers, our growing choir of dedicated adult men and women sings Sundays from September to mid-June, and for all major holidays of the church year.  This enthusiastic group sings choral music from all periods, and performs extended masterworks with orchestra in concerts during Lent and Advent.


Thursdays 7:30 - 9:00 PM and Sundays at 8:15 AM

CAMPANELLA HANDBELL CHOIR

This handbell choir for experienced high school youth and adults enriches our worship services, especially during Advent and Christmas, and performs regularly in concert.


Sundays 10:15 - 11:00 AM

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP TEAM

The WIND worship team is our contemporary worship music team.  Whether you are an advanced player/singer, or a beginner looking to learn how to play with a worship team, the WIND team is for you!


Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:30 -9:30 PM.

Sundays begin at 9:30 AM for soundcheck prior to the 10:30 AM service.


ALL are welcome to visit our practices! 

If you would like to participate, please reach out to Sean McCarthy at seanm@firstchurch.org for additional information.

Carol Choir

Pilgrim Youth Choir

Children's Musical Theatre

Brass Ensemble

The Pipe Organ

Carol Choir (Grades 3-6) is a fun music education opportunity that combines the preparation of monthly anthems for worship services, including instruction on Orff/Schulwerk percussion instruments and Malmark choirchimes, with an exciting Children’s Musical Theatre component (see below).Children learn to sing and ring, read music, and develop theatre/drama skills, all in a safe and welcoming spiritual environment.


Pilgrim Youth Choir (Grades 7-12) provides a wide variety of performing options in vocal and instrumental ensembles, including Afro-Caribbean drumming and handbells. Our repertoire includes classical, global, Celtic, gospel, and contemporary Christian styles. This choir frequently combines with the First Church Choir, as well as the Wind Band, offering their musical gifts to God at services and concerts.


Children's Musical Theatre: a full-length, costumed musical production is planned for next spring! This program will bring the Bible to life in powerful ways for our young people through music and dance.


The Campanella Handbell Choir: for experienced high school youth and adults is back this fall. The beautiful sound of handbells will be featured regularly in worship services and concerts.


The Wind Worship Team is our contemporary worship music team. 

Singers from the Pilgrim Youth Choir are welcome to join with the Wind Team for special worship presentations.

Interested adult vocalists/instrumentalists are encouraged to contact Sean McCarthy at seanm@firstchurch.org or call him at (860) 529-1575, ext. 209 for additional information.


The First Church Brass Ensemble: Trumpets, horns, trombones and tubas all join together in this lively ensemble of musical praise. Interested players with music reading and performance skills are encouraged to contact Sean McCarthy at seanm@firstchurch.org or call him at (860) 529-1576, ext. 209.


To register for any choir, or to sign up to receive our weekly Music Ministry eNews, please contact Sean McCarthy at seanm@firstchurch.org or call him at (860) 529-1575, ext. 209 for additional information.


First Church is blessed with a beautiful four manual Austin Organ, Opus 2403, with 62 ranks of pipes.  For more information, click on this link:

www.hartfordago.org/organs-of-hartford/first-church-wethersfield/



The Music Ministry of First Church of Christ is affiliated with the Chorister's Guild, the Handbell Musicians of America, the American Choral Directors Association, and the American Guild of Organists.