The First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield has a very active music ministry program, offering members of all ages a variety of opportunities to participate. In addition to the organized choirs, there are opportunities throughout the year for individuals to share their instrumental and/or vocal musical talents during worship services.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir provides music in worship most weeks throughout the year (Sept-May). This choir sings primarily at the 9:45 worship service but on the second Sunday of the month sings both the 8:30 and 9:45 worship services. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 and Sunday mornings before worship.
Festival Choir
The Festival Choir sings one or two times a year as a part of our Music Makers Concert Series. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evening from 7:30-8:30. This ensemble is made up of Chancel Choir members and others who enjoy singing and cannot commit to singing every Sunday morning in the Chancel Choir.
Women's Ensemble
The Women's Ensemble sings two or three times a year at morning worship services. Rehearsals are held at various times of the year.
Praise Band
The Praise Band leads the congregational singing at our Celebration Worship service on Sunday mornings. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday nights from 6:00-7:00 and on Sunday mornings at 10:15.
Youth Choir
Children, grade one through high school, can participate in our youth choirs, which lead in worship, through music, on several Sundays throughout the school year.
Click here for the Youth Choirs calendar.
*If you are interested in joining one of these ensembles and would like more information please contact Mike Nelson, Director of Music.
Music Makers Concert Series
Our Music Makers Concert series has been a staple of this church for many years. Every year we feature talented musicians from the church and the area on our Concert Series. The 2011-2012 Concert Series promises to be engaging, exciting and offer a variety of different musical styles. Our concerts this year will be:
October 30 at 4:00pm
Organ and Piano featuring Bill Crowle
First Presbyterian Church Organist, Pianist, Composer and Accompanist Bill Crowle will dazzle us on the churches Noehren Organ and Steinway piano. The program will include music by Liszt and other composers. In 2011, the music world is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Franz Liszt's birth.
January 29 at 4:00pm
Guitar/Banjo - Michael J. Miles
Musician, Composer, Educator and Musical playwright Michael J. Miles returns to our Music Makers Concert Series with a variety of music for Guitar, Banjo and whatever other string instrument he brings with him.
March 11 at 4:00pm
The Trevor Shandling Band
Drummer Trevor Shandling and his four piece band will play a program of Jazz Standards which promises to be a unique experience. This concert will be held in Calvin Hall.
Choir Concerts
The Festival Choir at First Presbyterian Church features singers from the Chancel Choir (morning choir) and singers from outside the church family. Every year the Festival Choir gives one or two concerts that are accompanied by organ, piano or an orchestra. This year's concerts will be:
December 4 at 4:00pm
Annual Christmas Concert
Festival Choir, Soloists and Orchestra
The Festival Choir, Soloists and Chamber Orchestra will present a concert entitled "A Musical Walk through the Christmas Season". This program will feature Anthems, Carols and Motets from the Advent, Christmas, New Year and Epiphany season. The program will culminate with a performance of Part VI of JS Bach's Christmas Oratorio which was written for the Epiphany season. This short cantata features choir, soloists, and orchestra with strings, 2 oboes and three trumpets.
April 29 at 4:00pm
Faure and Handel
Festival Choir, Soloists and Orchestra
The Festival Choir joins forces with the Church Choir at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights, IL for an afternoon of Faure and Handel. Handel's two coronation anthems, "Zadok the Priest" and "Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened" will be performed along with Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus". The concert will end with a performance of Faure's very popular "Requiem" for chorus, soloists and chamber orchestra. This performance will also be given at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights on Sunday afternoon April 22nd at 4:00pm.
*All concerts will be in the Sanctuary, except for the concert on March 11 which will be in Calvin Hall. Concerts are free. A free-will offering is taken at each concert and a reception follows.