Music is integral to worship and Christian education at The First Congregational Church. Our church enjoys six active choirs spanning all ages from three-year-olds through older adults, a popular and respected concert series, and many soloists and instrumentalists who lead worship in a variety of styles, including classical, contemporary, jazz, bluegrass, and more. For more information about FCC's Music Ministry, please e-mail music@firstcongregational.com.
Choirs and Ensembles
Children's and Youth Choirs
- Carol Choir (age 3 through 2nd grade), Edwin R. Taylor, director
Rehearses Wednesdays at 4:00 pm. Sings in worship on selected Sundays - Covenant Choir (3rd through 6th grade), Edwin R. Taylor, director
Rehearses Wednesdays at 5:00 pm. Sings in worship generally on the second Sunday of each month as well as for special seasonal occasions. - Cantate Choir (middle and high school youth), Edwin R. Taylor, director
Rehearses on a mutually agreed-upon basis. Sings in worship periodically, as well as for special seasonal events.
Adult Choirs
- Chancel Choir, Edwin R. Taylor, director
The all-volunteer Chancel Choir is open to all ages and singing backgrounds. The choir explores choral literature from all periods as it offers inspiring sacred music in worship and concert. Group vocal techniques, church music history, prayer, and Christian fellowship are woven into weekly rehearsals. The choir meets on Thursday evenings 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm, and sings in worship generally on the first, second, and third Sundays of each month. New members are always welcome. On many Sundays, the choir also invites interested singers to rehearse at 9:00 am, and sing in the 10:00 am service. - Concert Choir, Edwin R. Taylor, director
The Concert Choir, comprised of members of the Chancel Choir and singers from other area religious and community choirs, performs choral/orchestral works three times annually, generally complemented by a professional orchestra or ensemble, as part of the Fountain Music Series. While no audition is held, a background in choral music is helpful. Rehearsals are on specific Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Contact music@firstcongregational.com for more information. 
Celebration Ringers, Edwin R. Taylor, director
The Celebration Ringers is an ensemble of handbell ringers that performs on our five-octave set of Schulmerich Handbells and three-octave set of Malmark Choirchimes. Open to all ages from middle school through adult, this group does not require an audition is not required but music-reading skill is expected. Substitute ringers are always welcome. Rehearsal is on Tuesdays 5:00-7:00 pm Celebration Ringers play in worship generally the fourth Sunday of each month, as well as in two or three concerts each season on the Fountain Music Series.
Worship/Youth Band
The Worship Band and Youth Band consist of core groups of instrumentalists and singers that welcome new members as they lead worship periodically through the year. The Worship Band began as a ChristCare small group focused on bluegrass gospel music. Meeting in the church basement, they soon began playing for worship and church events. As The Soggy Basement Boys, the group now performs sacred and secular bluegrass and popular favorites at various venues in the community, as well as at church. If you have played in a band or would like to join FCC's Worship Band or Youth Band, email music@firstcongregational.com for contact information.
Wicks Organ Company, of Highland, Illinois, completed our 42-rank, 2,688-pipe organ in 1995, during Jane Wilmot's 25 year tenure as FCC's Music Director. The organ was dedicated in recital by the late William Whitehead, who also served as the designer/consultant for this varied instrument. Our instrument is wellsuited to a wide range of organ literature, from German Baroque to French Classical, from Romantic orchestral to contemporary styles. The organ is employed regularly in leading worship, congregational hymn singing, choir accompaniment, concert performance, and in conjunction with orchestras and instrumental ensembles.
View the stoplist and some of the unique stops/features of the Wicks organ