MUSIC MINISTRY

“Let there be music”

Contemporary Music Ensemble

Along with the traditional settings of hymns and anthems, our Contemporary Music Ensemble, (members of the band, Guided Path) plays music of various styles. Everything from Gospel to jazz, contemporary to musical theatre.

Chancel Choir

Our Chancel Choir is open to all who have a love for singing. Our rehearsals meet once a week and we perform most Sundays from September through May.

Our summer rehearsals are dedicated toward refining our vocal technique and preparing new music for Fall and Winter seasons.

Berghaus Organ

First Congregational presents a unique hybrid organ. Completely programmable through MIDI, this organ makes wonderful music…even when no one is playing it! Built in 2000 under the guidance of Jim Winfield, this organ has a rich, warm, and powerful sound.

An organ committee was formed in 1996 to overhaul the existing organ and replacing our old pipes with new ones – 1,825 pipes and 20 chimes are currently located in the chamber behind the wall. The organ was completed in 2000 and a recital was performed by Stephen Alltop in 2002 to commemorate the organ project’s completion.

Instrument Specifications

GREAT

16′ Lieblich Gedackt (Sw)
8′ Principal
8′ Roherflute
8′ Dulciana
4′ Octave
4′ Spitzflute
2 2/3′ Nasat
2′ Octave
1 3/5″ Terz
IV Mixtur (draws 2′ Octave)
8′ Trompete
8′ Huntziger Trumpet (Solo)
Tremulant
MIDI to Great

SWELL

16′ Lieblich Gedackt
8′ Gedackt
8′ Spitzviol
8′ Celeste
4′ Geigen Principle
4′ Koppelflute
2′ Waldflute
1 1/3′ Klein Nasat
IV Scharf
16′ Bassoon (ext. 8′ Oboe)
8′ Oboe
8′ Huntziger Trumpet (Solo)
Tremulant
Swell 16′
MIDI to Swell (3)

PEDAL

32′ Resultant
16′ Contra Bass
16′ Subbass
16′ Lieblich Gedackt (Sw)
8′ Octave Bass
8′ Lieblich Gedackt (Sw)
4′ Choral Bass
16′ Posaune (ext. 8′ Tpt.)
IV Mixture
16′ Bassoon (Sw)
8′ Trumpet
8′ Huntziger Trumpet (Solo)
4′ Oboe
4′ Huntziger Trumpet (Solo)
MIDI to Pedal (3)

SOLO

8′ Huntziger Trumpet (Solo) 8′ Oboe (Sw) Chimes Tremulant MIDI to Solo (3)

Couplers
Great to Pedal 8′
Swell to Pedal 8′
Swell to Great 16′
Swell to Great Auto Solo
15 Divisional Pistons
8 General Pistons
4 MIDI Pistons
99 layers of memory

Jim Molina - Music Director

Jim has been leading the choir since 2917 and playing the organ and piano for Sunday Worship Services. Listen to the recordings of some great organ and organ – piano duet arrangements.

All organ & piano performed by Jim Molina

Joyful, Joyful

Great is Thy Faithfulness

I Sing the Mighty Power of God

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Love Divine, All Love's Excelling

Lift High the Cross

Ash Wednesday Service 2020

Our combined Ash Wednesday Service at First Congregational UCC, Elmhurst teams up with Bethel UCC (Elmhurst), St. Peter’s (Elmhurst), and Community Congregational (Villa Park). Matthew Hogan (St. Peter’s) conducts as Jeff Panko (Bethel) plays piano on this rendition of Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley (Choral arrangement by Douglas Wagner).

Our combined Ash Wednesday Service at First Congregational UCC, Elmhurst teams up with Bethel UCC (Elmhurst), St. Peter’s (Elmhurst), and Community Congregational (Villa Park). Jim Molina (First Congregational UCC) conducts as Jeff Panko (Bethel) plays piano and Matthew Hogan (St. Peter’s) plays organ on this rendition of Great is Thy Faithfulness (Choral arrangement by Dan Forrest).

Our combined Ash Wednesday Service at First Congregational UCC, Elmhurst teams up with Bethel UCC (Elmhurst), St. Peter’s (Elmhurst), and Community Congregational (Villa Park). Jim Molina (First Congregational UCC) and Jeff Panko (Bethel) plays piano on this great arrangement of “Sit Down Servant” by Mark Hayes. Singers are Michelle Maiers (Soprano), Meg McGarry (Alto), Kevin Loeper (Tenor), and Al Thurkow (Bass). You can hear all four of these singers regularly at our Sunday Worship Services.