First Church Instrumental Ensemble is Growing!

Our First Church Instrumental Ensemble is steadily growing into an actual chamber orchestra and is a tremendous asset for our congregation! We have a great time making music together and would love to have a few more strings, woodwinds and brass. So, if you have an instrument hiding in your closet, dust it off and come join us.

If you are interested in serving through the instrumental ministry, please contact Dr. Linda Bolding at 255-3336 or linda@fumc-rr.org.

First Church Instrumental Ensemble Grows Into

First Church Chamber Orchestra!

What began as an ensemble of 5 players has now grown into a chamber orchestra with strings, a brass section, and a woodwind section (they say they could use a clarinet or two)!

The Ensemble began by accompanying the hymns once or twice a month. Gradually, they began accompanying the hymns every Sunday. Now, they play orchestrations of their own as well as accompany anthems for Chancel Choir.

As instrumentalists began joining the group, they began the evolution of a name change! When a violinist joined, among themselves they called their group, "orche." When a baritone player and a viola player joined, they became an "orches". Now that a 2nd violinist has become a part of the group, they say they are an "orchest". As director Linda Bolding says, "When we enlist a cellist, we can truly call ourselves an "orchestra!"

The players in the orchestra faithfully rehearse every Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m. There are student musicians as well as professional musicians and all levels in between. Flutist Cara Walkup who has a degree in music says, "I love playing with the group. It is fun, and it is truly a ministry."

To the congregation of First Church they are already a well-loved "orchestra." People were excited to hear the orchestra accompany the Chancel Choir as they sang "The Mind of Christ". The sounds of brass, strings and woodwinds filled the Sanctuary with the glorious sounds of worship.

The most recent major project for the First Church Chamber Orchestra was the orchestration for the Easter music, presented by the Choral/Orchestral Ministries on Easter Sunday, March 23, at both the 9:30 and 11:00 worship services.

The orchestra now plays every Sunday at the 11:00 service.