The ministry of music nurtures the spiritual life of the entire church. Its first priority is to contribute to the worship life of the congregation. At its heart, music in the church is based on relationships as much as it is on music itself: the individual's relationship to God, the group's understanding of its relationship to God, and the relationship between people. As such, it is a vehicle through which the church is able to fulfill its ministry.

Ministry through music means different things to different people: to those who participate actively, it is a means of stewardship and expression of faith. To pastors, it represents a means of expression and edification of spiritual concepts. To listeners and responders, it becomes a means of expression of praise, thanksgiving, confession, gratitude, adoration and worship of God. The ministry of music at First Pres is an inclusive program, encompassing many musical styles and eras, all ages and abilities, speaking to and drawing from the musical heritage of the whole church.

Under the leadership of Interim Director of Music Gerry Leckrone, associate director of music Carol Muehlig, and a host of gifted volunteers, the music program at First Presbyterian is alive and active. Please join us!

Summer Choir

Please join us for Summer Choir! Starting June 21, the Chancel Choir will hold rehearsals every other week on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. and sing at 9:30 a.m. services throughout the summer.

Please consider trying choir on for size. You might like it! It’s fun, it’s educational, it’s great fellowship, good exercise--and it’s free!  "Questions? Contact Gerry Leckrone at 734-662-4466, ext. 347, or gleckrone@firstpresbyterian.org.

Choral Groups and Instrumental Ensembles

Alleluia Choir: K-2nd Grade, Wednesdays 5:00 - 5:50 p.m., Room 405
Led by Carol Muehlig and Grace Jones; contact Carol Muehlig, 662-4466, ext. 351

Hosanna Choir: 3rd-5th grade, Wednesdays, 5:00 - 5:50 p.m., Choir Room
Led by Meredyth Jones; contact her at 668-2418

Covenant Youth Choir: 6th-12th grade, Sundays,  4:45 - 5:30 p.m.., Choir Room
Led by Leslie Smith; contact Gerald Leckrone at 662-4466, ext 347

Chancel Choir: College and older, Thursdays, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Choir Room
Led by Interim Director of Music Gerald Leckrone; contact him at 662-4466, ext.347

Sanctus and Gloria Handbell Ringers: directed by Carol Muehlig, adult and high school, Mondays 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., Room 403; contact Carol Muehlig, 662-4466, ext. 351

Recorder Ensemble: Adult, Sundays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Choir Room
Led by Linda Speck; contact her at 677-0620

Presbyterian Church Orchestra: 8th grade and older, Sundays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Youth Room
Led by Gerald Leckrone, contact him at 662-4466, ext 347

The Organs at First Presbyterian Church

In the Sanctuary - The organ in our sanctuary, installed in 2001, was built by Schoenstein & Co. of San Francisco. It consists of 2,474 pipes, placed in 42 ranks (33 voices). Schoenstein and Co. was established in 1877 and is now under the artistic direction of fourth- and fifth-generation organ builders. Its president and tonal director, Jack Bethards, designed the instrument specifically for First Presbyterian Church. In his 49 years of pipe organ work and research, Mr. Bethard's organ design and restoration consulting clients have included the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution, the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, to name a few.

This enchanted instrument is played from a movable console of three keyboards and a pedal board. The tonal resources of the instrument combine elements of the major schools of organ building throughout history. In this way the organ inspires an outstanding musical environment for worship as well as providing a superior means for the performance of the music of great composers. It is a highly versatile instrument with a great variety of tone and color and with a wide range of expressiveness necessary for accompaniment and solo work. It also has the power to accompany a full congregation. Though not a huge instrument, Mr. Bethards has met his goal of "elegance achieved through economy of resources."

The pipes are made of wood, tin, lead, and zinc. Woods used in construction of the organ include maple, oak, poplar, and mahagony. The console is made of oak and polished walnut and uses polisched ebony drawknobs on brass shanks. The keys are of bone and ebony. The Schoenstein Electric-Pneumatic System is used throughout. The Solid State Capture Combination Action includes 16 memories, 60 pistons, programmable piston range for each memory, 16 crescendo and full organ programs and 5 reversibles.

It is the hope of the church that this instrument will serve not only the needs of our immediate congregation but also the musical needs of a wider musical community. The words of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are echoed again: "In my eyes and ears the organ will ever be the King of Instruments."

In Monteith Hall

A Moeller pipe organ, generously donated by Ronald Sutton, was installed in Monteith Hall at First Presbyterian in the fall of 2005. The organ has two manuals and three ranks of pipes. Together with the beautiful grand piano in that space, it provides us with great musical flexibility for weddings, funerals, and our more intimate 8:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Sunday services. The pipes are located in the back of the hall; the console is in the front, opposite the piano.

The organ was used as a practice instrument by Ronald's wife, Ruth. She was the organist at Knox Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, and had played for us at First Pres on several occasions. Ron plays in our bell choir, sings in the Chancel Choir, and is a past director of the Church Orchestra.

We are most grateful to the Sutton family for this wonderful gift, which adds great beauty to our worship and will always be used to the glory of God.