Music

The Bicentennial of First Presbyterian Church will be here in 2012. Join us as we continue to build our website and virtual museum to commemorate wonderful parts of this church.

The Cellar

The Cellar is a ministry for college students and young adults that meets on Sunday nights
at the church. This year, though, The Cellar will meet at a new, earlier time of 7 o’clock in the
evening.

The music program at First Presbyterian Church is
alive and well and ready to minister to you just as other things in a church
service do.  Chancel Choir, handbells, all ages of youth choirs--take
your pick, and know you are welcome!

A variety of opportunities are available for members of all ages to serve God through music at First Presbyterian Church.  We continually strive to grow in our music program using God-centered music that presents sound theology to praise and glorify God in our worship services.

All choirs maintain a stress-free/relaxed environment that allows time for fun and fellowship while learning and preparing music at the highest possible level.  We receive great joy from worshiping God through music.  Our music is for God but also for the people.  Our choirs are open to everyone -- those who have been involved in music for years and those who are participating in music for the first time. 

"Sing to the Lord, all the earth!  Make a joyful sound before Him!"

DIRECTORS:

CHANCEL:  JOCELYN FISHER

HANDBELL: DAVID SEVIER

YOUTH:  JOHN MCDONALD

M&M:  EMILY KENT

CHERUB:  JENNA WILLIS

ORGANIST:  VALERIE RAINES

Jocelyn Fisher is an Adjunct Instructor of Music in the Belmont University School of Music.  She teaches applied voice courses and has many years experience in teaching, having instructed students in private voice, diction, and has led opera workshops at 5 colleges. 

Joecelyn has been a part of the First Presbyterian Choir program for several years, and it is our great pleasure to have her join us as our choir director. 

Organist, Valerie Rains

Valerie has been playing the organ for over 25 years, most recently at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville, where she served as their organist for 16 years.  Ms. Rains has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Western Michigan University.  She earned her music teaching credentials from Indiana University.  She received her Master of Arts Degree from Cumberland University. 

Ms. Rains also teaches general music at John Pittard Elementary in Murfreesboro.  Her organ teachers have included Dr. Delbert Disselhorst from the University of Iowa and Dr. William Jensen of Nashville.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

There are three paid choral positions open to college students.  First Presbyterian Church understands its responsibility in developing and training young adults to be leaders in church music. 

 Emily Kent and John McDonald  came to us from MTSU as our scholarship recipients and are now leaders in our music ministry.  This is a wonderful example of this program's success!

Current Scholarship Students:

Nataie Lassinger and Adam Richardson have come to sing with us from Belmont University.

Bernard Leo Steen III (Chip) is the current recipient of the Thomas A. and Olga White Scholarship.  He is a Vocal Performance major at MTSU.