MUSIC

Music acts as a medium by which we might experience the presence of God. To that end, First Church of Christ is extraordinarily blessed to have the type of music leadership that helps us lift our spirits on high.

Organist, pianist Floyd Corson is Associate Professor Emeritus of Music at Massachusetts State Collage at Westfield. In addition to spending twenty-five years as Director of Music Education and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music at Westfield State College, he has held several positions as organist/choir director at Massachusetts churches in Boston, Springfield, Southbridge, and Westfield.

Besides being organist/pianist at First Church, Floyd, together with Nancy Farris, co-directs the White Mountain Musical Arts Bach Festival each August. Floyd also performs in recitals for two pianos, concerts with the Lakes Region Woodwind Quintet and as an accompanist for numerous vocal and instrumental groups.

Choral Director, Jane Wilcox Hively received a Bachelors of Music at Boston University, A Masters of Music from Schiller College-Strasbourg, France and a Post Graduate Certifcate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. She has performed in numerous operas, musical plays, revues, and well known at the Mt. Washington Valley Theater Company for memorable roles.

She is an accomplished harpist, particularly the Celtic harp. She gives private voice lessons and harp lessons. She, along with her husband, Jonathan Hively a bagpiper of renown, also own Mountain Streams Music where they record and offer for sale wonderful CD's and tapes.

  Link to www.mtnstreamsmusic.com

Presently the adult choir with up to 14 voices sings at Sunday Services and some special services. The choir sings from September to June. New members are always welcome. Rehearsals are at 8:45am on Sunday mornings and also on Thursday evenings when announced.

We also have a Hand Bell Choir that has begun this year. The choir has performed at Christmas and Palm Sunday and is looking for more members to increase the repertoire of music that can be performed. Speak to any of the staff or choir members who can give you up to date information.

We recently have been able to augment our music program through the talents of The Rev. Kent Schneider who has written anthems, performed as a jazz trumpeter, and has added his trumpet to the Sunday music on more than one occasion.

During the summer months, individual guest or member artists provide special music each week. This may include, flute, clarinet, trumpet, solo voice duets, and even guest choruses.

As you can see we feel that music is one of God's creative gifts to his people. We try to use God's gift to praise Him, to honor Him, and to relate to Him as his very grateful children.