Music Ministry
| Chancel Choir Festival Choir Pipe Organ Robinson Recital Series Director of Music Music Samples |
Inspirational music has been a long-standing hallmark of the First Congregational Church of Evanston. A multicultural approach is taken in the Sunday morning musical offerings, presenting music from around the world and through the ages for a greater experience of the diversity of the Body of Christ and Christ's Church.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is a semiprofessional group of 28 dedicated volunteer and professional singers. The professional quartet includes:
- Cindy Senneke, soprano
- Beth Babbitt, mezzo-soprano
- Kevin Siembor, tenor
- Tom Hall, bass-baritone
Singing from September through mid-June, the choir gathers on Sunday mornings for rehearsal and worship. Recent performances include settings of the "Requiem" by Duruflé, Fauré and Mozart; Handel's "Messiah" and sacred works by Duke Ellington. Membership is open to interested singers by contacting David Lornson, Director of Music.
Festival Choir
The Festival Choir, also under the direction of David Lornson, includes members of the Chancel Choir and guests from the congregation and community who present special music at Christmas and Easter. Rehearsals for this choir are held four consecutive Sunday mornings after worship in the Choir Room of the Church House in anticipation of these special performances during the holidays.
Pipe Organ
The instrument that leads hymns, accompanies anthems, and inspires worshipers at the First Congregational Church is a pipe organ built in 1927 by Ernest M. Skinner. Still in original condition and performing beautifully, Opus 616 boasts 3 manuals and 32 ranks, including seven ranks of Reeds, three Celestes and a Mixture IV. (Organ Specification)
Robinson Recital Series
Named in memory of a former Deacon and Trustee of the Church, the Dudley Robinson Recital Series sponsors recitals and concerts to showcase the musical talent of members of First Congregational Church. Recent performances have included early music performed by "Ars Music Chicago," music for trumpet and organ, and opera hits performed by the Chancel Choir professional quartet.
Director of Music
Since April 1984, David Lornson has been Director of Music and Organist of the First Congregational Church of Evanston. He holds degrees from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. His organ teachers include Miriam Clapp Duncan and Wolfgang Rübsam. On a Fulbright Scholarship, he also studied organ with Marie-Claire Alain in France.
Music Samples
Use the links below to hear music selections which were recorded during worship services.
Hymns
"Jesus Christ is Risen Today" - arr. David Lornson
Anthems
"Gloria" from Schubert Mass in
G - Chancel Choir and Strings
"Benedictus" from Schubert
Mass in G - Chancel Choir Soloists and Strings
Organ Voluntaries
Excerpts from "Fantasy in F Minor" - K.608 Mozart
Last Updated: June 6, 2010