Programs

Music

Concerts & Recitals

Virtual Concert Series

Gandalf, from The Lord of the Rings, may have said it best, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” Here at First Pres, the Music Ministry has decided to move forward with a completely virtual concert series for the 2020-2021 season. Virtual concerts can be particularly challenging, not only for those of us programming, but also for those of you who donate on an annual basis. Two of the biggest aids that will help us overcome these potential challenges are flexibility and patience. Some concerts will have specific dates and times to be streamed. Others will be more general. For instance, there will be concerts in December to celebrate the Christmas season, but we will not give them a specific time and date to be streamed at this moment. We will use our in-house publications, outdoor banners, and our presence on social media to share the specifics of those concerts when they are ready to be shared.

An exciting bit of news to share, that will make these virtual concerts far more enjoyable, is that we have made several upgrades in the audio and video department. The recording quality for these concerts will be vastly improved from previous concerts.

Lastly, our Wednesday @ Noon series will continue. Stay tuned to our in-house publications and social media for that information as it becomes available.

Virtual Concert Schedule

36th Annual Organ Fest / February 14, 2021 / 4:00 pm — Tune in and celebrate as First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights hosts the 36th Annual Organ Fest. Join us, online, as Christopher Urban, Marianne Kim, Michael Gagne, and Gary Wendt team up to provide a wonderful program that shows the awesome scope and potential of our 52 rank Schantz organ.

First Pres Virtual Community Talent Show / March 2021 (Date TBD) / 4:00 pm — Our 2020 Talent Show was cancelled due to health concerns. This year, we are going to plan to have it take place, virtually. Solo, ensemble, musical, or otherwise, contact Adam Hendrickson at adamhendrickson@firstpresah.org for further details and to have your entry approved. We will also figure out the best way to record you exhibiting your talent! There will be four categories: K – 5th grade, 6th – 12th grade, Adults (non-retired), and Adults (retired). There will be a plethora of prizes. Don’t miss your chance to shine!

A Lenten Journey / March 2021 (Date TBD) / 4:00 pm — Join Christopher Urban, organ, and Chuck Beech, piano, as they present a concert focused on the season of Lent.

Requiem for the Living / April 22, 2021 / 7:00 pm — Our Spring Choral Concert will be shared on Earth Day, 2021. We will be sharing Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living. Mr. Forrest’s requiem was partially inspired by images captured by the Hubble telescope. A video celebrating the uniqueness of our humanity on earth, as well as the majesty of space, will accompany the music being offered by the Adult Choirs at First Pres.