First Presbyterian Church
Charlottesville, VA

The Sanctuary Choir sings for the 11:15 a.m. service each Sunday. In addition to weekly anthems and service music, the Choir regularly prepares and is joined by guest soloists and orchestra to present major works of the choral repertoire. The choir is led by our Interim Choir Director, Elizabeth Norfrey. Rehearsal is Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Adult Choir Room, directly behind the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary Choir recently toured Scotland, both in 2003 and 2006, singing at Iona Abbey, St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, McIntosh Memorial church in Fort William, and also joined with the choir at our sister church, Hope Park Parish in St. Andrews, for worship services and a concert of Vivaldi’s Gloria. These tours were a wonderful way to learn more about our Presbyterian heritage! The choir hopes to return to Scotland for another tour one day soon.

Adult Handbell Choir rehearses on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. in the bell room, located directly above the choir room. This choir rings for worship on a monthly basis.

Interim Handbell Choir Director Selected
Margaret (Peggy) Haluska has been selected to serve as Interim Handbell Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church. Peggy has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Clarion State College in Clarion, Pennsylvania. For the past fifteen years she has worked as a music educator at Walton Middle School in Albemarle County. Last year she supervised and implemented the entire music program at Walton, directing the bands, choirs and the orchestra. Peggy has served as a handbell ringer in Germany; Pennsylvania; Culpepper, Virginia; and Charlottesville, Virginia. She was also Handbell Choir Director at Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church in a suburb of Pittsburgh. Peggy is very enthused about working with our Handbell Choir and bringing beautiful music to our worship services. She is hopeful that we may be able to establish a Youth Handbell Choir in addition to our Adult Handbell Choir.

Occasional Bell Choir is a perfect opportunity for those who can’t make a full-time commitment, but still want to experience the joy of ringing handbells! The group will ring at three or four Worship Services per year, and rehearse just three times prior to each Service.

The Praise Team is a dedicated and growing group of vocalists and instrumentalists that meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m. to prepare contemporary praise and worship music for our weekly 8:55 a.m. alternative-style worship service. Their director, Jeff Bailes welcomes all who are interested. Interested? E-mail Jeff or call (540) 241-4520.

Youth Choir is a chorus for Middle and High School aged youth from our church and all youth in the greater Charlottesville area. The Youth sing on a monthly basis at Sunday worship services and are involved in mission opportunities in and beyond our community. Will Cooke directs this choir which rehearses on Sunday evenings at 4:30 p.m. in Room 201. Please contact Will Cooke with any questions you may have.

Joyful Praise Choir is for young singers ages kindergarten through grade five. The Joyful Praise Choir meets on Wednesdays from 6:15-7:00 p.m. as a part of the Kirk Night program. The Children’s Choir Room is located on the left as you enter the education wing on the lower level. This Choir sings regularly for various worship services and prepares two musicals each year. Please contact Will Cooke with any questions you may have.

For more information about our music program, please contact:
Elizabeth Norfrey

First Presbyterian Church
500 Park Street
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Phone: (434) 296-7131   Fax: (434) 296-0751
www.fpchurch.com
Church Office