Music
Organist Craig Barfield accompanies the Chancel and Chapel choirs under the direction of David Covington on Dec. 18, 2005.
Mission top >
All the earth worships thee;
they sing praises to thee, sing praises to thy name." -- Psalm 66:4
Music is a vital part of our ministry, bringing a sense of reverence to
our worship services and spiritual nourishment to all who participate. Music
has ancient and mystical links to worship and brings a spiritual depth to
the moments of joy and sorrow in our lives. The psalmist directs us to "[s]erve
the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."
First Presbyterian therefore offers a broad spectrum of opportunities to
enhance worship with music. We invite you to listen or to join us in praising
God through a musical medium. For those seeking to perform, the options
range from singing well-known hymns of the Presbyterian tradition during
the regular worship service to performing as a soloist or in one of our
choirs, ringing handbells, producing Christmas cantatas, or accompanying
our children's singing during church-school and nursery hour. Our musicians
derive a spiritual benefit from the opportunity to use their talents as
an offering to God, and they learn more about themselves and about their
gifts from association with other musicians.
Instrumental Music
The organist at First Presbyterian Church is Craig Barfield,
who plays for regularly scheduled services.
We encourage participation in worship by developing instrumental musicians
and are often treated to performances of sacred works by our talented youth.
In addition, from time to time professional musicians from the area and
from the NC Symphony come to First Presbyterian, both as soloists and in
groups, or as orchestral accompanists for choral music.
We’re always looking for volunteers to participate in our music program
in any capacity. Just contact our Director of Music, , at the church office.
Dr.
David Covington top >
Director of Music
Dr. Covington
joined the staff at First Presbyterian in 1994 and has been active in Music
Ministry for over 25 years. A graduate of Mars Hill College with a Bachelor
of Music degree in Vocal Performance, he also has a Master’s of Music
degree in Vocal Performance from Southwestern Seminary and a Ph.D. in Choral
Music Education/Conducting from The Florida State University.
He has had several full– and part–time church music positions
in Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida.
David is married to Diane Covington, Choral Director at Leesville High School.
They have a daughter, Meredith, and a son, Jonathan.
Craig
M. Barfield top >
Organist
Craig is a life–long
resident of Raleigh. Growing up, he attended Edenton Street United Methodist
Church. Craig has been the organist at First Presbyterian Church since October
2002. He has been deeply involved with church music for all of his adult
life.
A graduate of UNC–Chapel Hill, Craig is also a CPA, and he currently
serves as Vice President for Finance & Administration at Peace College.
In his spare time, he works with various management boards to preserve some
of North Carolina’s historic Presbyterian churches.
Craig has served as organist at various churches in the area, including
a college stint at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines,
NC, and an 18–year tenure at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
in Raleigh.
He is married to Alexander Barfield, formerly of Lexington, Virginia; they
have a son, Austin, and a daughter, Elizabeth.
Sing with the Summer Choir! top >
Like you, many of our Chancel Choir members travel
during the summer months. Some claim to be away
making "guest appearances" at the beach or in the
mountains. The Chancel Choir thus becomes the "Summer
Choir" from June 10 to September 2, as in "Summer Here, and Summer Not." They will
continue singing for each 11 a.m. service throughout the summer, but they will not
have their usual Thursday-evening rehearsals until September 6.
And they would love your
help. Perhaps you have thought about singing in the
choir, but have not been able to make the time
commitment. The summer choir provides a
great opportunity for you. The
musical selections will be less demanding, appropriate for performances
with minimal rehearsal time. All that is required is that you appear
in the choir room on Sundays at 10:25 a.m., beginning
June 10. Each Sunday, we will rehearse the music for that
Sunday and the next.
Senior high through senior adults should take advantage of
this opportunity and join us this summer. If you have questions, contact
.
Schedule: The Summer Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings
at 10:25 in the choir room (beneath the Sanctuary).
Children’s Choirs (young children) top >
The Children’s Choirs rehearse
on Sunday evenings as part of the Pathfinders Program. Participation
in worship services in the sanctuary takes place several times each year.
The Children’s choirs are directed by Ann LeGarde and Lisa Ham. Young
children are invited to sing with our combined children's choir for ages 5 through 12
(or Grade 5).
Each year, the children's choirs
combine to present a Christmas pageant for the entire church community.
Children too young for the Children's Choir (under age 5) can participate
in non-speaking roles.
Schedule: Children's Choir rehearsal is part of the Pathfinders Program on Sunday evenings, 5:00 pm to 7:15. See the section on children's activities
at our Youth Activities page for more information about the Pathfinders Program.
Chapel Choir (Youth) top >
Grades 6 - 12.
Participation in choir helps our youth set aside time for worship and establish
a lifelong habit of service. While its primary purpose is to nurture the
Christian growth, spiritual discipline, and musical education of middle-
and high-school-aged children, participation in the Chapel Choir also provides
fellowship of a kind that adolescents may not be able to find outside their
church community.
Schedule: The Chapel Choir rehearses on Sunday evenings
from 5 to 6 under the direction of Dr. David Covington, Director of Music
at First Presbyterian Church.
Chancel Choir top >
Adults, college age through senior
adult.
The Chancel Choir provides choral music for the 11 a.m. service each Sunday,
occasionally for the 8:30 a.m. service, and for other special services in
the life of the church throughout the year. Solo voices or auditions are
not required, but a well-focused voice that blends, some ability to read
music, and consistent attendance at rehearsals and services are very important.
Schedule: The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings
from 7:00 to 8:30 under the direction of Dr. David Covington, Director of
Music at First Presbyterian Church.
Adult Handbell Choir top >
The Handbell Choir, under the
direction of Dr. David Covington, is open to interested musicians from high–school
age and up. The choir uses a four–octave set of Schulmerich handbells
to prepare and present music for worship approximately once each month.
Schedule: The Handbell Choir rehearses 7:30–9:00
p.m. each Wednesday.
Upcoming Events top >
NC Master Chorale at
FPC
The 170–member North Carolina Master Choral (NCMC), under the direction
of Dr. Al Sturgis, rehearses in Memorial Hall at FPC each Tuesday. Eight
members of FPC sing with the chorale, whose membership is by audition.
The NCMC has now made a professional recording in our sanctuary. Composer
Donald B. Miller asked them to sing and record a new composition, "Here
Rests in Honored Glory," a composite of original music and familiar
tunes, including "Taps," "All Glory, Laud, and Honor,"
and "Hail to the Lord’s Anointed."
The composition was dedicated as the "Official Hymn of Mourning"
for the group Paralyzed Veterans of American and Veterans of the Vietnam
War, Inc. The title, "Here Rests in Honored Glory," comes from
the inscription on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National
Cemetery.
All proceeds from the forthcoming CD recording of the performance in the
First Presbyterian sanctuary will go directly to the veterans group.
New Compositions Premiered
On Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, the FPC Chancel Choir presented the North Carolina
premiere of a new, unpublished composition by Joseph Jenkins, "Cantate
Hodie (Sing Forth This Day)".
On Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, the Chancel Choir combined with the Chapel (youth) choir and an orchestra
to present two new, unpublished works, "A Carol Fantasy," by John Alexander, and
"Magnificat," by Nicholas White.