Our Musical Philosophy
For centuries, music has played an integral role in Christian worship. Each generation of God's people has embraced the styles of the past, while continually finding new and different ways to sing His praises.

In recent years, the mass media has made it easier to experience many diverse styles of worship, and to compare our own practices with those of other sincere and committed Christians. This is a good thing, since it often leads us to examine and, perhaps, rethink many of the forms and styles which, over the years, have become "traditional".

Our approach to music at First Presbyterian can best be described as "conservatively eclectic". We seek to maintain a healthy respect for the best historical traditions of sacred music, while acknowledging and utilizing some of the best examples of new, different, and non-traditional worship music that seem to be constantly appearing on the scene.

Our adult choirs study and present a wide range of quality church music, both freely-composed anthems and hymn-based literature. We periodically prepare and perform masterworks of the sacred choral tradition, usually with professional instrumentalists and soloists. In our graded choir program, the goal is to introduce our children and youth to the hymns of our faith. We try to avoid the latest fads in favor of works that are musically and theologically sound.

In all that we do, the motto "Soli Deo Gloria" - "to God alone be glory", is held high.

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SPRING SCHEDULE
Palm Sunday, March 16
Fauré’s Moving Requiem
Members of the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra—Greenville’s “other symphony”—will be presenting a concert in our Sanctuary on Palm Sunday at 3:00pm. Under the direction of John Gentry, the orchestra will accompany our Sanctuary Choir in the beautiful and moving Requiem by French composer Gabriel Fauré. Please join us for this free concert of outstanding choral music.

Sunday, April 13
Music & Arts Dinner Theater, v 2.0
Last year’s innaugural Dinner Theater was, by all accounts, a great success. This year, the program will be even more enjoyable, with choral and solo numbers from many of our talented children, youth and adult choir members. Highlights will include several numbers inspired by the recent “Celtic Woman” presentations, as well as scenes from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” We’re also planning an art show and silent auction for this event, which will raise funds to support our week at Montreat in June, as well as other activities of our Music & Arts Ministry. Please join us on Sunday, April 13th, at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall for this annual extravaganza!

Sunday, May 4
The “Rockslinger” Returns!
Our 2008 Children’s Musical will be Allen Pote’s blockbuster, “The Rockslinger and His Greatest Hit,” which tells the familiar story of David and Goliath. First presented here in 2002, we now have a new “generation” of kids to tell this inspiring story of faith and courage. The 30 talented members of the Covenant Choir are working hard to bring this charming musical back to life for you in May. Please join us on Sunday, May 4th, at 6:30pm in Harper Chapel.

Sunday, May 18
Honoring Our Seniors
As graduation nears, we will join in a special service to honor our church’s high school seniors with a time of inspirational music and scripture readings. As a part of this special worship service, the Carolina Chamber Singers will join with our youth choir, Resonate!, to present Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass, a 20-minute setting of the traditional mass in black gospel style. Please make plans to be here for what we hope will become an annual event in our church. That’s 6:30pm on Sunday, May 18th, in the Sanctuary.

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Concert Series
The First Presbyterian Concert Series has presented more than sixty events since 1989, ranging from piano and other instrumental recitals to full-blown oratorio performances with full orchestra, chorus and soloists. We've also presented concerts by outstanding touring choral groups, including the St. Olaf Choir and the American Boychoir. Funding for these events is provided largely by donations from members and from concert attendees.

Music Ministry Facilities
Our church has been blessed with buildings and facilities second to none, and the Ministry of Music is no exception. The addition of our new Chapel in 1999 means that our various performing groups now have many more opportunities to share their gifts with the church and the community. The following is a partial listing of some of our musical instruments and equipment:

In the Sanctuary: Casavant Organ, 1987 (3 manuals, 67 ranks), Schimmel Piano, 1992 (7-foot concert grand).

In the Chapel: Allen Digital Organ, 1996 (2 manuals), Steinway Piano, 1999 (9-foot concert grand).

In the Choir Room: Young Chang Piano, 1988 (7-foot concert grand), Roland HP-330 Digital Piano, 1997, Roland D-50 Synthesizer, 1988, Wenger Musician® posture chairs.

Other Instruments: Malmark Handbells (5 octaves), Whitechapel Handbells (3 octaves), Malmark ChoirChime® Instruments (3 octaves), Sonor Primary Line® Orff Instruments.