"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" (Psalm 95:2)
The Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church provide opportunities for all to enrich their faith through music. We enjoy the Christian fellowship of rehearsing together and increasing our musical knowledge and skill. Should you wish to join one of the music groups, please contact our church office. Our music ministry is dedicated to being diverse, singing everything from the great European tradition as well as contemporary praise, gospel, jazz, taize, as well as different languages such as French, German, Italian, Latin, and Igbo.
If you would like to participate in the music ministries at First Presbyterian Church, please email our Interim Director of Music, Julie Huang, at julie@fpcarlington.org.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir sings at the 11:00 a.m. worship service from the Sunday after Labor Day through Trinity Sunday and rehearses weekly on Thursday nights from 7-9pm. Warm-up on Sundays begins promptly at 10am. Most Sundays, the choir sings an Introit, Anthem, and Benediction. While this ensemble is non-auditioned, those interested should speak with our Director of Music.
The Chancel Choir sings at both the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on Easter Sunday. In addition, our Chancel Choir leads worship on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and the evening service on Good Friday. Over the summer while the Chancel Choir as a whole is on a well-deserved break, individual members sing solo works during services as well as volunteer instrumentalists.
Each year on the third Saturday of December at 5pm our Chancel Choir presents George Fridric Handel's "Messiah." We offer this free of charge, featuring local professional soloists and instrumentalists. All are invited to join in singing the "Hallelujah Chorus." Under the leadership of our Director of Music, we have also presented concerts at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America (DC), and have partnered with local choirs for certain events.
Children's Choir
In our Sunday School program (pre-K through grade 5), we offer a Children's Choir for boys and girls that rehearses from 10-10:30am every Sunday from September to May. We sing, play musical games and rhythm instruments, and move to the music! Several times a year, the children sing during the 11:00 a.m. service. Each year, they sing during the Christmas Eve Children's service at 5pm.
Handbells
Our church has a four octave set of hand bells and a set of handchimes. The handbells lead us in worship on the first Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve, first Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday, and Trinity Sunday. This ensemble is ideal for those ages fourteen and up. Ability to read music at a profficient level is required.
Instrumental Music
Many of our church members and friends who play various musical instruments volunteer their talents during Sunday worship. From time to time, the choirs will be accompanied by various instruments and Sunday worship may also include special works for the flute, clarinet, oboe, violin or piano, or other instruments. Recent guest instrumental groups include La Unica (a band playing a fusion of Irish and salsa music) and the Howard University Brass Quintet.