Music

Music at First Presbyterian Church
It brings our church great joy to include music in our worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Music director Norman Ortiz conducts the Geneva Choir and the Chancel Bell Choir. The Geneva Choir sings anthems and praise music for Sunday services during the school year.  The repertoire spans historical styles including music from the great masters, as well as contemporary choral works, and praise music with guitar accompaniment.  The choir is also an integral part of the Good Friday, Easter and Christmas Eve services in which many choral works are featured.  Rehearsals include warm-up exercises and repertoire for the ensuing Sundays.  Music reading skills are helpful but not required.  Singers will learn some basic music reading skills, as well as musical expression while singing.  The sanctuary is a glorious space in which to sing.  The structure is tall and narrow, offering acoustics that make it a perfect place to sing.  The sounds are carried through the space with angelic resonance.
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The Geneva Choir
The Geneva Choir meets at the church regularly for rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the choir room.  To find the choir room, enter the building through the door on the parking lot beneath the sign "Little Angels Preschool." Sunday morning rehearsals begin at 9:30 a.m. in preparation for the 10:30 a.m. service.
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Chancel Bell Choir
The Chancel Bell Choir is a wonderful experience.  Handbell ringers love what they do, and the sounds of the ringing bells is both uplifting and heavenly.  One of our members reminds us that "the good thing about ringing handbells is that they sound wonderful, even if a note is missed now and again."  This is partly true, but it doesn't negate the need for regular rehearsals.

Most of our ringers began without the ability to read notes.  All have gained this knowledge, and the members are always improving their skills.  The Chancel Bells take part in services four or five times per year, depending on the amount of repertoire the group is able to learn.  Being part of a handbell choir is a unique experience.  Each member is an integral part of the whole, and when they are rung correctly, the sound is breathtaking.

If you would like to ring handbells, but you don't read music, we still welcome your participation.  You will learn to read the notes with the support and patience of the director and the other ringers.  Rehearsals for the Chancel Bell Choir happen at the church every Thursday evening at 7:45 p.m. in the choir room.  Enter the building through the door on the parking lot beneath the sign "Little Angels Preschool."

Please consider joining us for one or more rehearsals and experience with us the satisfaction and achievement of preparing fine music to the Glory of God.  

For more information please contact the church at (707) 644-4414.
You may also contact the director, Norman Ortiz by email:
[email protected]

Office Hours:  10:30AM-3:00PM
​Monday - Thursday

1350 Amador Street
Vallejo, CA  94590
(707)644-4414
email:  [email protected]

Worship:  10:30 a.m. 
Sunday child care provided

Communion is the 1st Sunday of the month.