First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights

Join Northwest Symphony Orchestra and soloists for Handel’s Messiah. For this special concert, the audience is the choir! The audience will sing the choruses of Messiah with the orchestra including the most well-known “Hallelujah Chorus”. We will have scores/sheet music available for those that would like them. Together we will fill the Sanctuary with beautiful music honoring the birth of our Savior.

We are so thrilled to be continuing this concert partnership with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, which began in 2017, but has been on hiatus the past two years due to the pandemic.

Child care is provided for evening concerts by calling the office for a reservation (no later than four days in advance).

Join a caroling group to spread Christmas cheer throughout our community. Pizza dinner at 6:00 pm at church.

Christopher Urban on organ and Samantha Bittle on harp will be playing Christmas music for harp and organ.

Samantha Bittle is a Maryland-raised and Chicago-based freelance harpist. Studying music since she was five, Samantha is pursuing a Master’s degree in Harp Performance at Northwestern University and recently received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Maryland.  Currently studying with Lyric Opera of Chicago principal harpist, Marguerite Lynn Williams, Samantha has also studied with Baltimore and Delaware Symphony harpist, Sarah Fuller.

Samantha regularly performs in musical ensembles across Illinois and within the Bienen School of Music. In the past, Samantha has  performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Northshore Concert Band, and Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra. While completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, she regularly performed with many of the musical ensembles on campus including the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Chamber Singers, and Opera Studio. 

The entire congregation is invited to a Christmas tea hosted by Presbyterian Women in the Parlor. Be sure to attend the Wednesdays @ Noon concert with harp and organ at 12:10 pm in the Sanctuary.

Chancel Choir, Men’s Chorus, and orchestra present Ola Gjielo’s Dreamweaver as the featured work on the program, as well as other Christmas favorites from John Rutter, Dan Forrest and Elaine Haganberg. Audience participation is encouraged as we raise our voices in singing familiar carols of the season.

Child care is provided for evening concerts by calling the office for a reservation (no later than four days in advance).