Music

This collaborative concert will feature the First Presbyterian Chancel Choir and visiting singers from Southern Virginia University performing Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living and other select pieces in observance of All Saints' Day.  Forrest's work is described as "a prayer for rest-traditionally for the deceased.  The five movements, however, form a narrative just as much for the living (and their own struggle with pain and sorrow) as for the dead." The singers will be accompanied by an orchestra of local musicians.

All First Pres Presents concerts will be held in the FPCLY Sanctuary and are open to the public.  A free-will offering will be received at the conclusion of each concert except the November 19th concert, which is a ticketed event.

Music has been a fundamental part of Christian worship since the first church communities were established.  Its contribution to worship inspires our spirituality and sets a proper tone of joy and reverence within each worshiper. The mission of the music program at FPCLY is to praise God through a wide variety of musical opportunities available to all who wish to participate.

We have singing and bell ringing programs for adults and children. Both of which continue to contribute to First Presbyterian’s rich history of choral and bell ensembles.

The music program at First Presbyterian Church is a vibrant and growing ministry that we invite all to participate in regardless of age or level of musical training. To learn more about our music program or to jump right in and sing or ring with us, please contact our Organist and Choir Director, Cory Whittier.

Builder: Möller, 1951, Op. 8303

First Presbyterian is blessed with a large Möller organ that provides substantial support for congregational singing, choral accompaniment and organ concerts. The main organ consists of 2994 pipes and 49 ranks in the chambers located in the front of the Sanctuary, and an Antiphonal organ of 305 pipes and 5 ranks located on the rear wall. Originally constructed in 1951, the organ has gone through several renovations and enlargements, and has grown to be one of the largest pipe organs in Lynchburg. The specification and additional historical information can be found on the Organ Historical Society’s database.

2022 Organ Renovation

As part of our Rooted and Reaching Capital Campaign, we will be renovating our organ.  January 31, 2022, Foley-Baker, Inc from Connecticut will begin the three-week process of removing every element of the current organ and take it all to their shop for updating, repairing, and tuning. They will also be redesigning and modernizing the chests and set up in the organ chambers above the Chancel area.  We will also have the opportunity to move the console (the part where the organist plays) to the front of the Chancel area! This process will take from 12-14 months to complete with the fully updating product set to be in place by March 2023! We are excited about this renovation project and look forward to new and improved sounds moving through the Sanctuary!

Click the button below to read updates about the project!