The
Music Ministry of the First Presbyterian
Church of St. Louis is dedicated to making the
experience of worship one that people of different
cultural backgrounds will find meaningful and spiritually uplifting,
and where
a variety of images of God and theological expressions may be found.
This
includes the use of traditional hymns, classical sacred repertoire
(both choral
& instrumental), contemporary worship music, children's music,
international folk music, spirituals, sacred jazz, and music from the
southern
& African-American gospel traditions.
The Chancel Choir
rehearses
on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
“Choir-care”
for children is provided. Singers in the Chancel Choir
come from all walks of life: music educators, secretaries, doctors,
carpenters,
scientists, writers. No experience necessary, but enthusiasm and good
attitude
a must.
A music segment with children is part
of their morning Sunday
School. Exploring a wide variety of
musical concepts and styles, the children frequently participate as
worship
leaders either singing, playing instruments, or exploring liturgical
dance.
David Stephens
has been
Director of Music since 2001. Trained in classical and jazz voice, he
continues
to lead the Chancel Choir in
exciting, new
directions, while continually building on the quality and quantity of
traditional sacred music. He works closely with the other worship
leaders to ensure
that our
worship contains a variety of styles, while being faithful to our past
and
honest in our current interpretations and needs.
Liz Horsley has been Organist since 2003. A
retired music
educator, Liz brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and ability to
the Music
Ministry using the organ, piano, and a multitude of other instruments.
The
32-rank, three manual, pipe organ was built by the
M.P. Möeller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland in 1965. In
the summer of 2003 the pipe organ was
completely renovated by Robert G. Dial Organ Builders of Springfield,
Illinois.