The Music Ministries of First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church enjoys a wonderful life of music and worship in Rocky Mount. Vocal ensembles, handbells, vocal and instrumental soloists and many other facets of our music program work together to bring worship to life in our three worship services.
Angel Choir: For children ages 4 through 6 – this is a play and music group open to the youngest singers among us. Rehearsals under the direction of Marcia Heirman meet on Sundays from 5:15 – 6:00 p.m from September through May.
Chancel Choir.: This choir is the cornerstone of the music ministry at First Church. The chancel choir presents anthems, responses and leads the congregation in hymns, liturgies and responses each week in our 11:00 worship service. This team of talented choristers prepares music for worship. They also present at least two important major choral works each year with orchestral accompaniment. These works include the compositions of Fauré, Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Rutter and other composers of note. This group meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and is open to high school students through adult.
Church Orchestra: Open to instrumentalists in Grade 8 and through adult. This group, under the direction of Pam Cameron assisted by Marcia Heirman, rehearses on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary from September through May. They provide special music at the 11:00 worship for high holy day celebrations.
Contemporary Worship Team: The worship team is under the direction of Mr. Stephen Moad and placement in the team is by audition only. This team meets weekly on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm to prepare a worship set for the 9:00 a.m. Sunday contemporary worship service.
First Church Singers: This double quartet of auditioned singers from the Chancel Choir takes the gospel message and song to Autumn Care, a local nursing home facility, on a bi-monthly basis.
Liturgical Dance Team: Open to dancers from Middle School through High School. This group is under the direction of professional dancer from the dance company "Signature," Anna Godwin. They meet in the choir room on Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. from September through May and perform once a month at the 11:00 worship service.
The Matin Ringers open to high school through adults and is the handbell ensemble at First United Methodist. The bell choir consists of four octaves of bell presently and group plays monthly in our 11:00 worship service. This group meets on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. from September through May.
The Organ project has been completed!
About the Organ - Goulding and Wood Opus 28 and Opus 49
In 2009, one hundred years after the first pipe organ was installed at First United Methodist Church, additional stops prepared for in the original 1996 organ were installed along with the new antiphonal/chapel organ. The Antiphonal Organ, a memorial to Virginia Lea (Pie) Ferebee, was dedicated on January 10, 2010. The Organ Concert Series celebrates this new instrument and the fulfillment of the dream conceived by the original organ committee of which Pie was a member.
Goulding & Wood designed, built, and installed the new Virginia Lea Ferebee Antiphonal Organ that now stands at the rear of the sanctuary and also speaks through a facade into the chapel. This organ is fully available on the chancel console for use in the sanctuary to augment the organ in hymns or in antiphonal (echo) effects by alternating with the front. The instrument can also be played from a new console in the chapel that has a single keyboard and full pedal board. By dividing the stops into bass and treble, the organist can create the effect of a two-manual instrument, playing solos with accompaniment. The full chorus in the division fills the chapel nicely without overpowering the intimate space.
The stops that were added to the front organ are mainly reed stops. These are among the more powerful and fiery sounds of the organ and the additions add richness to the ensemble. The Great division gained a new 16' Fagotto that rounds out the chorus in the bass register. The Great also received an 8' Bombarde reed that is powerful enough to serve as a commanding solo stop while its harmonic depth allows it to be used in chords as well. The only non-reed stop added in 2009 is the 8' Harmonic Flute, a beautiful sound that can render lyric solos or blend with the other 8' stops on the Great for a sumptuous ensemble. A new 4' Clairon in the Swell provides brilliance and clarity to the main reed chorus of the organ. The Pedal now has independent reeds at 8' and 4' pitches, comprising a large chorus in its own right. The 8' Trompete, a German style stop, blends well with the other chorus stops and the 16' Posaune. The 4' Schalmei serves solo functions first and foremost, where the pedals play a melody that is accompanied by the manuals. At the other end of the scale, a new extension of the Swell 16' Basson carries this stop to 32' pitch in the Pedal, giving the full organ a rich foundation.
With the fulfillment of the pipe preparations in the front chambers, the organ now offers musicians a very wide palette of colors for the creative playing of organ literature, accompaniment of choral anthems, and the exciting leadership of hymn. The organ, primarily used for worship, is dedicated to the Glory of God!
First United Methodist Church 100 South Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 252-977-0400
