Music Ministry

A full range of choral and instrumental musical opportunities are available at First Presbyterian Church
of the Covenant
under the direction of

When the newly formed Church of the Covenant was being built in 1929, the congregation commissioned a four manual pipe organ by the E. M. Skinner Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Installed that same year, this organ had many distinctive stops imitative of orchestral sounds, including a French Horn, English Horn, and Clarinet. In addition, the builder had developed a number of shimmering softer voices that were included in this organ. The pipes resided in chambers above and west of the chancel, as well as in enclosed rooms above and behind the balcony.

The Tellers Organ Company, a local firm, rebuilt the organ and replaced
some ranks (sets of pipes) in 1959.

In 1982, through a generous gift of Mrs. Margharita Vicary, the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, built a new organ that retained many of the rare and exquisite ranks of the original Skinner instrument. In all, the Schantz instrument retained 49 ranks, including 24 stops of the Skinner organ, and included an additional 54 ranks. The Schantz instrument now boasted five manuals, 103 ranks, and a total of 6,037 individual pipes. The pipes ranged in size from a grand 32 foot bass pipe to a pipe smaller than a pencil. The original pipe locations were retained, with the addition of chests cantilevered from the rear wall of the balcony.

The crowning stop of the organ, the “Trompette en Chamade” is positioned horizontally from these cantilevered chests, allowing the sound to soar about the rest of the organ
for regal and festive occasions.

The Vicary Foundation provided a challenge grant in 2002 to spur a technological update to the console and switching systems of the Organ, as well as to complete some repairs on the largest 32 foot pedal pipes. This grant and the support of music lovers of First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant has brought us to the exciting fruition of this project, allowing the Sanctuary organ and the McBrier Chapel organ to be played from the main 5 manual console.

The playing controls of the rebuilt console are greatly enhanced. The console system is now solid-state and multiplexed, and the entire organ of 103 ranks, 6,000+ pipes on 30 chests,
4 swell boxes, chimes, and harp are now controlled through only 24 wires between
the console and the pipe chambers.

Click here to listen to a special WQLN news report on the Vicary Organ.
This interview with Steve Skinner, Minister of Music and Worship, and
Shirley Wilson, Music Associate/Organist and Children,
aired on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,
May 31, June 1, and June 2, 2005.
(Listening time is 11:31)

Directed by Steven Skinner, our adult choir, sings most Sundays for the 11:00 a.m. worship service (September through June) as well as for Christmas at First Covenant, Christmas Eve, and Holy Week services. Membership for this choir is by interview, and rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. or on Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to
8:45 p.m. Childcare is available upon request. Choir members may attend either rehearsal.

A group of dedicated Covenant Choir members serve as the Covenant Choraliers.
Once or twice each week this group of eight singers visits members and friends of
First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant confined to a hospital or nursing home.
By bringing the songs of worship and praise to those in need, this group
extends the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in a very positive way.

Directed by Steven Skinner, our adult bell choir plays frequently in worship services and makes community appearances throughout the year. This premier group has played in concert with the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra. Covenant Bells consists of 13 auditioned members and rehearses on Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Openings are available from time to time.

Steven Skinner, Nancy van den Honert, and Shirley Wilson direct our middle and high school students’ graded handbell and handchime ensembles. For students from grades 6 through 12, we group handbell and handchime players by age and skill level. All three groups play for worship services and tour in the spring.
Rehearsals take place on Sunday evenings from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Directed by Steven Skinner, our middle and high school student choir, consists of students in grades 6 through 12. This group rehearses on Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. They sing four-part selections from classical and contemporary sources, sing in services, and represent the church on singing tours each Christmas season and spring. We encourage all young people to join this lively and capable musical group.

Directed by Shirley Wilson, Gloria Singers consists of children in grades 2-5. These young singers learn foundational music reading skills and proper singing techniques in rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. They sing in worship services and
special services throughout the year.

Directed by Shirley Wilson, Cherub Choir consists of children in grades K-1. These children, in a music class setting, learn pitch matching and music pre-reading skills. They are introduced to choral singing and sing 2 or 3 times a year during worship and special services.
This group meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.