The Music Ministry at First Church

The link between a music ministry, the pastor and the congregation is a vital one for the health and life and growth of the church. Here at First Church, we take great pleasure and pride in our music ministry. We're made up of a balanced combination of professional section leaders and a well-represented group of volunteers from the congregation. In this way we hold on to three hundred years of Congregational tradition of excellence in liturgical music and an open-to-all invitation to share God's gift in music.

Chancel Choir
The mainstay of the music ministry, the Chancel Choir is open to adults and young adults. It is open to all and there are no auditions. We're happy to help teach singing and music reading skills. We rehearse on Thursdays to prepare for worship; and on Sunday mornings from 9-9:45 before the service. We also enjoy great fellowship in potlucks in September for homecoming, at Christmas, and at the end of the year. Plus we plan other performance gatherings, such as concerts of non-liturgical music for the congregation that is also open to the public, and collaborations with other church music groups.

Section Leaders
We're blessed to be able to engage four professionals during the regular church calendar, from September through May. These professionals come from Boston's vast and vital resource of musical talent, coming from the Conservatories and the working community of schooled musicians. The section leaders are sensitive to the needs of our volunteers and are always on hand to help instruct and support the learning curve of the choir; in this way they themselves grow in their understanding of the spiritual needs of the congregation, the volunteers and in their own growth as musicians.

Bell Choir
There is nothing more beautiful in a church service than the ringing of bells. We own a fabulous 3-octave set of Whitechapel Handbells, and have a long-standing handbell choir of volunteers. We rehearse on Sundays from 11:45 to 12:30, after service and coffee hour and perform three to four times during the year.

Music Scholars Program
The Music Scholars Program offers free piano and voice lessons to children who are participating in church activities. Any child who is eager to learn may apply to be a Music Scholar. Students perform in a yearly recital and offer musical selections to the church service. Wendy Covell, our church organist, is the teacher for the Piano Music Scholars program.

Youth Choir
Youth Choir offers an opportunity for youth to partcipate in the music program. The congregation enjoys beautiful voices by children who sing well, and the children gain experience in singing and reading music.

Instrumentalists
Every church has talent and treasure, and First Church is no exception. We make use of our instrumentalists at every opportunity, with instrumentalists frequently playing Sunday morning music along with the choir. Whether they are beginners, experienced musicians, or just getting back into playing music after not playing for years, members of the congregation are welcome to volunteer to play.

Organ
First Church is the home of a beautiful, 1934 Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. Our organist, Wendy Covell, provides the service music and hymns, and she also accompanies the choir, teaches, and has even been known to pinch-hit on handbells or rhythm instruments when there has been a need.

Music Director
Music director Lucinda Ellert is an Americanist at heart, but loves exploring all music from classical, contemporary, folk, ethnic and world music. She brings talent and enthusiasm as a teacher and music leader. Through this leadership, we take joy in our spirit-led mission, having fun learning new music and enjoying a wide variety of styles and approaches.