Welcome to the music program at First Presbyterian Church! The various choirs and ensembles provide music for our worship services throughout the year. With a Chancel Choir, Agape Handbell Choir, Junior Choir, Men’s Choir, and Women’s Choir, we have a place for every adult and child to participate, regardless of age or ability. Please read about each of these ensembles and if you have further questions please feel free to e-mail Dr. Paul S. Undreiner.
Agape Handbell Choir
The Bell Choir, and their 5+ octaves of White Chapel Handbells, rings for numerous special services throughout the year and is open to both adults and youth ringers. Bell rehearsals are on Thursday nights from 7:30-9:00 from late September through June.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is the largest and most active of the musical groups and is open to all adult singers. The choir sings for almost every service from September through June. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights from 7:15-8:45 and Sunday mornings from 9:15-9:45.
“Music has been a very important part of my faith journey and my worship at First Pres of Ramsey. I have been blessed with a gift of voice that I have used in singing in choir since my childhood. Though lacking any professional training, still music elevates the Good News of Salvation and the love of God to another level in my life. Music brings joy to my heart, comfort and peace to my soul while glorifying the Lord and praising His name. I wish and pray that everyone would get a chance to experience the joy of singing in choir.” – Maha Audi, Choir Member
Men’s and Women’s Choir
Both the Men’s Choir and Women’s Choir sing throughout the year for special events and services. Rehearsals typically occur during a portion of the Chancel Choir rehearsal time.
Recent services in which these groups sang include: Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and Independence Day.
Youth and Children’s Music
There are numerous opportunities for children and youth to participate in the music program at First Presbyterian.. From the Bell and Junior Choirs, to the Christmas Pageant, the children of the church are integral to music and worship. Rehearsals for the Christmas Pageant begin in November. Rehearsals for Junior Choir are after church at 11:15 am.
Music Education
Education plays a vital role in the music program of the church. That is why, Dr. Paul Undreiner, created a video series to cover all of the elements of music notation, such as rhythm, meter, pitch, dynamics, articulations, etc. These videos were designed to aid in the reading and understanding of music and are available to everyone.
Here is a link to the instructional videos.
Concert Series
Concert music is also a vital part of the music ministry at First Presbyterian. Throughout the program year, full length concerts are presented in a variety of styles and a free will donation is offered, with the proceeds going towards the music fund of the church. Upcoming and past concerts are listed below:
Upcoming Concerts
January 27th (2019), 5:30pm – Jazz, Wine and Cheese, Third Set
November 3rd (2018), 3pm – Resurrection Encore Performance
October 14th, 11:30am – Dr. Dubious and the Agnostics, Dixieland Quintet
September 9th, 11:30am – Toby Walker, Blues Singer/Guitarist
Past Concerts
Tour de Four, Saxophone Quartet
Harpsichord Revisited, featuring Benjamin Berman
Jazz, Wine and Cheese: Take Two
Resurrection: An Opera by Paul Undreiner
Carolann Solebello: Singer/Songwriter
Triple Play All-Stars: Catchy Country Concert
Jazz, Wine and Cheese
American Art Song, featuring Susanna Su
Harpsichord music from the Baroque Era, featuring Benjamin Berman and Susanna Su
Paul Undreiner, pianist
The Harlow Trio
Joe Peri Jazz Ensemble
Benjamin Berman, Tenor
Iulia Marin, pianist
Paul Undreiner, composer
Additional Testimonials
“The music program at First Presbyterian Church is phenomenal. To begin with, we are led by a very talented and knowledgeable music director, Dr. Paul Undreiner. His selection of music and composers varies from 16th century to modern composers including pieces written by him and various choir members. Our choir is small in size and we are not professional singers. We all get along and respect one another, we pull together to help one another be the best that we can be. There is cohesiveness in the group, very family-like. While we are not the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, what we lack in numbers and professionalism, we make up in dedication and spirit. Last year Paul expanded our music program to include quarterly concerts, open to the public to raise money for the music program. His selection of artists has included pianists, vocalists and bands with various venues for each program. Having wanted to join our choir for many years, I finally joined almost ten years ago. I enjoy being a part of the choir and a participant in the Worship service on Sundays especially on Christmas and Easter. There is a feeling that is hard to describe, it’s like having your own little personal relationship with God. Singing in our choir is not about how well you sing or the size of the choir but the love that we have of doing it and I feel that comes across on Sunday mornings.” – Linda MacDonald, Choir Member
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