Opportunities to make music at First Parish Church are abundant and varied.  Nearly every service is enhanced by the contributions of at least one of our three choirs, described below.  Soloists and instrumentalists from the FPC community are also warmly encouraged to contribute their talents to worship services.  From bagpipes to African drums to solo bass, we strive to make full use of the wealth of musical talent represented within the FPC congregation.  Playing in church is a unique and rewarding experience, and a generous gesture that is deeply appreciated by the congregation. A number of less formal music-making opportunities are offered throughout the year, such as Christmas caroling, Family Music Night, winter jam sessions, and the campfire sing-a-long on the annual canoe trip.

FPC Concert Series Local and international artists perform in a series of three or four concerts each year.  Concerts are generally held on Sunday afternoons, followed by a reception.  Concerts are open to the public.  [See upcoming events]     FPC Coffee House The FPC Coffee House provides an informal setting for musicians to perform at FPC. Coffee House events are typically held in the evening and are open to the public. [See upcoming events]

Music Opportunities
at First Parish Church of Stow and Acton
all are welcome ~ no experience necessary!
For more information please contact Director of Music Suzanne Cartreine:
music@fpc-stow-acton.org; (978) 897-8149

Adult Choir
Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 PM, Sanctuary
Sundays, 10:00 AM warmup for 11:00 AM service
Suzie Cartreine, Director 

Weekly rehearsals are designed to be fun, stimulating, and challenging. Our repertoire spans eight centuries and represents a variety of languages, cultures, and musical styles. The choir sings most weeks for the 11:00 AM Sunday service as well as for special services such as ordinations and community interfaith services.

Can't commit for a full year? No problem! Our choir year is divided into three modules, to allow for graceful entry and exit points. You are welcome to join the choir at any time, but it's easiest to join at the beginning of a module, when we start rehearsing all new music. Our current module runs Thursday, Sept. 10 - Thursday, Dec. 24

Youth Choir (grades 4-12, treble voices)                       
Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 PM, Hall
Suzie Cartreine, Director

FPC's Youth Choir is a spirited group of youth who love to sing.  Rehearsals are designed to be both fun and challenging, with a wide variety of music.  Youth Choir members develop skills in reading music, sight-singing, intonation, foreign languages, singing in parts, and basic vocal production. 
The Youth Choir rehearses weekly and sings for services at least once a month.  Highlights of recent years include hosting the world-renown American Boychoir, singing for Vespers, and collaborating with other area youth choirs at the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. 
FPC's Youth Choir is open to the greater community.  Singers need not be members of FPC in order to join the Youth Choir, but must be committed to attending all rehearsals and appearances of the Youth Choir. 

Young Men's Chorus (voice change - gr. 12)
Thursdays, 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM, Hall
Suzie Cartreine, Director

This chorus is for boys with changing or changed voices. Every boy is unique in his voice change - it can happen quickly, or over the space of a couple years, or anywhere in-between. This chorus will provide a supportive environment where boys can continue to sing throughout and after their voices change. We will sing on our own, as well as with other ensembles from the church. This ensemble is open to the greater community - please come and bring your friends who love to sing!

Junior Choir (grades K-3)                                                
Sundays, 9:15-9:50 AM, Vestry
Pat Sorn, Director

Rehearsals are fun and relaxed.  Through a variety of singing and rhythm games, we explore our voices and learn new songs. The Junior Choir sings for the 9:00 AM service once a month. 

Instrumentalists
Singers and instrumentalists are invited to perform for a Sunday morning service or at one of the monthly Vespers services. Now with two services, there are even more opportunities to play! Please contact Suzie if you are interested in playing for a service.

Parish Jazz Band
2nd Mondays, 7:30 PM, Vestry
Roy Miller, Coordinator

Each year the Parish Jazz Band plays for several church services as well as events in the Stow and Acton community.  A core rhythm group of drums, piano, bass, and guitar is joined by other instrumentalists on an ad hoc basis.  All musicians are invited to attend rehearsals, which run like a structured open mike and use a song book of jazz standards.  Regular monthly rehearsals are supplemented by occasional additional rehearsals, scheduled via an email contact list. 

FPCDrums (all ages)
1st Mon., 7:30 PM in Vestry
3rd Fri., 7:30 PM in Vestry
Peter Fiske, Facilitator

FPCDrums is a community drum circle for people who like to have fun with rhythms.  We are open to folks from the greater community, as well as FPC.  Meetings include free improvisation as well as rhythmic practice and rehearsals for music to be played in church.  Bring your own instrument, or use one from FPC's growing collection.