Music

The Music Ministry of First Church works to invite, love, and bless all, building community through engagement in worship. Additionally, we present concerts that celebrate the diversity of God's people and their music. All are welcome to participate in our Chancel & Festival Choirs , our Bell Choir, and our Children's Choir. Our Music in the Meetinghouse concert series utilizes our historic sanctuary, 2010 Klais pipe organ, and Steinway piano to bring a variety of meaningful music to our community, and to provide a space for outside groups to do the same.

For more information about our choirs contact

Dr. Frank Martignetti, Director of Music and Organist

Chancel Choir (9th Grade–Adult) This ensemble plays an integral part of our worship on Sundays, singing a wide variety of choral repertoire. Rehearsals are September-June; Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. The Fall 2022 season begins Thursday, September 9th at 7:30. Repertoire and rehearsal resources for the fall season can be accessed here.

Festival Choir (9th Grade-Adult) Can't make the weekly commitment to Chancel Choir? Join us the larger group for some or all of the following: Christmas Eve, Epiphany, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. Fall 2022 Festival Choir rehearsals begin Thursday, Nov. 10. Repertoire and rehearsal resources for Christmas can be accessed here.

Music for Children & Youth

Music education is a valued part of First Church's Christian education program. All children in our Sunday School, Disciple Road, experience music on a recurring basis, and participate in our annual Christmas Pageant. All elementary-age children are encouraged to participate in Children's Choir, which rehearses immediately following the 10:15 worship service each Sunday during the school year.

Youth in middle or high school are encouraged to get involved with our Music Ministry.

For more information, please contact

Bethany Dupuis, Children's Music Leader

The Handbell Choir of First Church, which began in 1969, rings in worship 6-8 times a year, and rehearses every other Thursday from September-June, with our first Fall 2022 rehearsal on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5:45-7:15 PM in our new Music & Meeting Room (former Montessori elementary classroom.)

Handbell Choir is open to anyone in sixth grade or up, and is a uniquely accessible way of making music! Anyone who can read words or count to four can begin making satifsying music in about five minutes! Those who read music can engage in more complex endeavors.

Come try ringing after church on Sunday, September 11th, and see what it's all about!

For more information, please contact Dr. Frank Martignetti, Director of Music & Organist.

Sunday, September 25, 4 PM.

A Time to Sing Again: A Community Sing with Nick Page

Learn more about Nick here.

Saturday, December 3, 2022: 5:30 A Community Carol Sing

Sunday, January 29, 2023, 4 PM: John Dominick, bass-baritone; Frank Martignetti, piano. Music of Schumann, Ibert, Burleigh, and others. Learn more about John here.

June, 2023, 4 PM: The Joe Carter Samba Rio Trio

Joe Carter, guitar; Harvey S., bass; Gracia Liano Zambonin, drums.

Learn more about the Trio here.

Lenten Organ Recital Series: Wednesdays from 12:15-12:45 PM

March 1: Robert Kwan (Trinity Church, Southport)

March 8: Michael Lantowski (St. Pius X, Fairfield; Temple Israel, Westport)

March 15: William Atwood (Director of Music, Diocese of Bridgeport)

March 22: Chris Muller (Stratford United Methodist Church)

March 29: Frank Martignetti (First Church, Fairfield)

To inquire about renting our sanctuary for a performance, please email Frank Martignetti.