Music Programs

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR MUSIC BOARD
on
Our Musical Offerings

First Congregational Church of Branford is blessed with a vibrant music program. We believe that music is a powerful means of communing with God and hope that our members and visitors find spiritual sustenance in the music of the church. We believe that music expresses emotions that may be inexpressible in words and therefore serves a unique purpose during our worship.

With this in mind, musicians who contribute to our worship services share their music in the same way our ministers share prayers and sermons, as offerings to God and to those listening. The quality of our church's music pays tribute to the spiritual devotion of our musicians and their directors.

A highlight of the church's music program is our beloved Flentrop pipe organ. Installed in 1969, our organ has gained recognition as one of the finest organs in the area. Our congregation exhibited tremendous support for this instrument with their generous donations toward its recent renovation, completed in 2004, with over 150 families contributing financially to make possible the enhanced tonal qualities which we enjoy weekly in our meetinghouse.

Some 140 individuals from our church family are involved directly in singing, ringing, and dance choirs. Soloists and instrumentalists further invigorate our worship. These musicians offer a varied repertoire, from classical to jazz to bluegrass in the hopes of touching the hearts of all members of our diverse church family. Generous donations support special presentations of oratorios and concerts. Anyone in our church family with an interest in contributing to these spiritual offerings is encouraged to join a choir. Together, through our music, we seek to offer petitions, thanks, and praise for the glory of God.

First Congregational Church Music Board
Phyllis Fitzpatrick
John Hartman
Helen Herget
Joy Crelin
Maureen Squires, Chair

Youth Music Programs

Adult Music Programs

Flentrop Organ

Previous Special Events

"Terrific Tuesday" Afternoon Music Program Terrific Tuesday Music Program, under the direction of Carol Titcomb, includes vocal, bell, and chimer choirs. Students in grades 2 - 8 may attend both singing and ringing rehearsals, or they may participate in only one choir. Rehearsals are held after school on Tuesdays, September through May, following the public school calendar. No rehearsals are held on school holidays or on weather-cancellation days. After-school snacks are provided for all participants. Parents are encouraged to sign up for snack contributions to help defray the costs and burdens. Transportation possibilities to Terrific Tuesdays include carpooling. Students from Sliney School generally walk over together with Mrs. Titcomb, who teaches music there. Terrific Tuesday Vocal Choirs - Directed by Theresa Pappa Spirit Singers, (Grades 2-4): 3:40 - 4:25 p.m. All Saints Singers, (Grades 5-8): 4:25 - 5:10 p.m. Spirit Singers and All Saints Singers participate in Sunday morning worship once a month as well as singing in Choristers Guild Festivals throughout Connecticut. Our choirs learn to share their gift of music and be an important part of our worshiping family. Terrific Tuesday Ringing Choirs - Directed by Carol Titcomb Chimers (Grades 3-4) rehearse Tuesday afternoons, 4:25-5:10 The Chimers play some of our five octaves of Malmark Choirchimes. Primarily a learning group, they present music for worship several times yearly, including Maundy Thursday. Middle School Handbells (Grades 5-8) rehearse Tuesday afternoons 3:30 - 4:15 The Middle School Handbells play some of our six octaves of Malmark Handbells. They present music for worship almost monthly during the school year and for special occasions such as Good Friday. For more information, contact Carol Titcomb, 488-3088.

High School Handbells
The High School Handbells (Grades 9-12) rehearse Monday evenings, 7:00-8:00, playing some of our six octaves of Malmark Handbells. We play in worship several times each semester and for special occasions. Carol Titcomb, 488-3088 is director this year.

Senior Bell Choir
The Senior Handbell Choir plays our full six octaves of bronze Malmark handbells, often including some of our five octaves of Choirchimes. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings, 7:30, and generally play monthly during our 10 a.m. worship, as well as for special services, concerts, and community events. Traditionally we provide music for our Good Friday Evening service.

In March, 2004 we celebrated our 20th Anniversary with our founding director, Lucerna Bocciarelli, and, sadly, celebrated her life by playing for her memorial service in June of 2004. Her legacy continues, and we are pleased that Janice Hooton-Racine is our new director. If you are interested in ringing, please call Janice at 481-8261 to explore possibilities.

Senior Vocal Choir
The Senior Choir, under the direction of the Rev. Kathryn Nichols, enhances our worship by presenting a variety of genres of choral music. We are comprised of dedicated members of our church family who rehearse together most Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00, and sing for the 10 a.m. service on Sundays from September to June. We are bound together by a love of singing and church music, by the opportunity to offer our prayers and praises through music, and by our enjoyment of the companionship and good humor experienced in rehearsals. Most of us have not had formal vocal training as such, but have learned by singing in choirs. Music reading ability is helpful but not required. Rehearsal CDs of individual voice parts are provided for home study, so if a rehearsal is occasionally missed, people can still be prepared. Anyone interested in singing with us should contact Kathryn Nichols for more information before attending rehearsal. New singers are warmly welcomed.

Special Choral Events
We are happy to have singers join us for regular Sunday morning worship. For those who cannot make such a commitment, but still wish to sing, we have another possibility: several times yearly we designate a portion of the Thursday rehearsal just for preparation of major choral works and special seasonal music. That rehearsal is followed by rehearsal for Sunday morning music. Thus, along with extra home study with CDs, we are able to do double-duty in preparing music for both Sunday worship and special occasions. In the recent past we have presented Mendelssohn's Elijah, John Rutter's Requiem, Fauré's Requiem, and Vivaldi's Gloria, accompanied by orchestra.

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First Congregational Church 1009 Main Street Branford Connecticut
203-488-7201