FPC has many musical groups that provide their talents for worship services:
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is a volunteer 4-part group under the direction of Emilie Pilkerton, Director of Music. The choir practices each Wednesday evening from 6-7:30pm, with rehearsals accompanied by our Organist/Pianist, Angela Kromm. The choir sings anthems and choral responses to enhance worship each Sunday. These singers also provide music for special services including Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas Eve. Many members provide chamber or solo pieces for summer or special services. The Chancel Choir has singers of all levels and musical backgrounds, and the group is always open to those who would like to joyfully worship through song- come and join us!
Handbell Choir
The Chancel Chimers, our Handbell Choir, has become a staple in worship at FPC. The Choir practices every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm. They provide music for Sunday worship a handful of times throughout the church year, and often a smaller group of ringers provides a Bell Peal to gather people to worship. Many choir members attend ringing workshops and perform in other area houses of worship. Ringers perform a variety of bell repertoire, and always welcome new ringers, regardless of age or experience! Ringing, with the group’s 4 octaves of bells and 3 octaves of chimes, praises God through music.
Children’s Music
We seek to engage our children regularly in music for worship. Children participate in seasonal Children’s Choir performances during service, show off their VBS singing voices, and participate in summer worship to enhance their performance practice and have their contributions to worship supported and encouraged!
Bel Air Brass
The Bel Air Brass was formed in 2012 when Tyler Horton, a local organist then playing at Dublin Methodist Church, contacted the Bel Air Community Band with the intention of recruiting some brass players for a Christmas service. That musical endeavor panned out so well that they asked the group back for Easter. Four members of today’s Bel Air Brass group were in that original group. The Brass accompanied Tyler in his performances at the various churches in which he played until in 2017, when he relocated to a church in Annapolis.
That same year, Frank’s father (Edward Wilsey) died. Frank asked the Brass if they were interested in playing Edward’s memorial service, to be held at First Presbyterian Church Bel Air, and they were. The service went well enough that the church asked them to come back for that year’s Reformation Sunday- the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It was in this way that the ensemble began playing regularly at FPC Bel Air.
Today, the Brass consists of Bill Stephens and Bob Hudson (Trumpet), Zora-Maya Keith (French Horn), Walter Kulis (Euphonium) and Frank Wilsey (Tuba). Its members have performed not only in the Bel Air Community Band, but also in the Bel Air Jazz Ensemble, the Maryland All-State Community Band, and the Liberty Classic Band Festival, among other groups.
We are so fortunate to have these fine musicians in our church family, and look forward to each of their amazing musical contributions to worship.
Special Music
Special music is encouraged (and actively sought out!) for worship services. Instrumentalists and singers of all levels of experience are welcome to contribute to worship services. For information or to volunteer, please contact Emilie Pilkerton (emilie@firstpresbelair.org).