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Music Programs at Community Presbyterian Church |
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Music Programs at Community Presbyterian Church |
Music has been an integral part of Christiam worship since the beginning. The music program at CPCBA aids and enhances the worship of the congregation through the singing of the congregation, the singing of the choirs, and the music of the organ, handbells, and other instruments. Often music touches and reaches us in ways that words, speech, and reading can't.
The Chancel Choir, open to singers of high school age and older, sings a wide variety of music. In addition to Sunday morning services, it also presents special music programs during the year and participates in various community services.
A close sense of community and fellowship grows from the regular gathering of individuals for a common purpose. Choir membership can be an immensely rewarding experience, as well as a generous offering of self to the Church and worship. New singers are always welcome. Although music reading helps, it is not essential. There are choir members who do not read music, and are very good choir members.
The Junior Choir is open to boys and girls from the Third through Sixth grades. They sing on an average of once a month. They also participage in special music services and programs, particularly at Christmas and Easter. There are also opportunities to participate in the Western Pennsylvania Children's Choir Festival and community events.
Members of the choir learn much about their faith through the music that they sing. New members are always welcome.
CPCBA has three octaves of Schulmerich handbells that are jused in different ways during worship. Three octaves of bells require 11 people to play on a regular basis. The Handbell Choir plays as a solo group as well as accompanying the congrregation or choir for hymns or responses.
It is an intergenerational group ranging in age from sixth grade to those who are grandparents. Members of the choir will tell you that playing bells is fun, rewarding, and fosters a special bond. Although reading music isn't essential, it helps to know how to count! There are also many different techniques to use in ringing the bells which make it interesting.
New members are always welcome.
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In the Christian tradition the organ is used to lead congreagational singing, accompany the choir(s), and as an instrument in its own right. The organ at CPCBA is named in honor of R. Charles Grimstad who was the chairman of the committee that purchased the instrument. The pipe organ was build in 1963 by the firm of Casavant-Freres, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. It has 31 stops, 37 ranks (sets of pipes), and 1,989 pipes. There are 3 manuals (keyboards for the hands) as well as a pedal keyboard (for the feet). it is considered one of the finest organs of its size in the Pittsburgh area. Please feel free to come to the choir area to listen to the music following the service where it is easier to watch as well. |
Often instrumentalists are used as soloists or for choral accompaniment. In addition, during the summer months members of the choir and instrumentalists provide special music for our worship.
David Anderson - Director of Music
Barbara McKelway - Organist.
For information about the music program, please call Barbara McKelway:
At the church at 412-761-1233
At home at 412-366-4513
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© 2007 Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon