WORSHIP
The Worship Talent exists to promote an experience of worship that is fully engaging, allowing for all that participate in it to continuously move forward on their faith journey through their effort and intentionality in the context of worship offerings. Through music, the arts, and the spoken word, the Worship Talent seeks to perpetually improve upon itself, promoting effort and education and thoughtfulness in all facets of programs presented, all for the glory of God.
The Worship, Music, and Arts Committee is a selection of church officers and lay-leaders that inspect all parts of the worship and creative arts life of First Presbyterian. A larger committee of around 15, they are responsible for the content of all worship services, concerts, special services, and oversee programs such as the PRIMO School of Performing Arts, the Concert Series, and the Galleries at First Pres.
Music & Arts
Music and Arts Department
Director of Music and Arts – Dr. Jacob Craig
Assistant Director of Music and Arts - Peter Mahtani
PRIMO Director – Dr. Bertie Centerbar
Director of Children’s Choirs – Janine Jones
Resident Soloist – John Toohey
Art Gallery Curator - Susan Lavender
Artist in Residence – Sheila Lougheed
Music and Arts Administrator – Ginger Lagemann
Youth Music Instagram
Chancel Choir – Directed by Dr. Jacob Craig. High School and Adults welcome. Rehearses on Wednesday evenings in the choir room from 6:30-8pm. Performs for all Sunday services, including two cantatas per year and special events. Click here to listen to our latest Easter Cantata
Handbell Choir – Directed by Peter Mahtani. Rehearses on Tuesday mornings from 10:00-11:00am in the Baines Room. Performs once per month during Sunday services as well as special concerts throughout the year. Click here to listen to our latest performance. We are always looking for new ringers. No experience necessary.
Youth String Orchestra – Directed by Dr. Jacob Craig. Rehearses Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary before the second service, which they also perform in. This group also performs in special concerts throughout the year and travels each summer for education, touring performances, mission, and competition. Click here to listen to our latest collaboration between strings, choir, and winds.
Youth Winds and Percussion – This newly formed group will be under the direction of Jessica Russell, the Assistant Director of Bands at Vero Beach High School. The ensemble will join in performances for Sunday services as well as large orchestral works with the Youth String Orchestra- effectively creating the First Presbyterian Youth Symphonic Orchestra. Click here to listen to the latest concert.
Youth Choir - Directed by Peter Mahtani. This is a community choir that is completely free to join for all students ages middle school and up. The ensemble performs once a month in worship services and plans to tour as the group grows. Youth Choir rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7 - 8:30PM. All are welcome, and no experience is required! Click here to listen to our latest performance.
Youth Handbells - Directed by Peter Mahtani. Students in grades 6th and up are welcome to join this ensemble where they will learn how to play handbells. We will be working on several musical skills, specifically rhythm and musical interpretation. No experience is required, however a few private sessions or a year in children's handbells is recommended. There is no cost to participate. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 5:30PM-6:45PM. Click here to listen to our latest performance
Children's Handbells - Directed by Peter Mahtani. Students in 4th and 5th grade are welcome to join this introduction to handbells. We meet on Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30PM. There is no cost to participate.
Worship Team - Directed by Peter Mahtani. Our current worship team consists of Peter Mahtani, Jessica Russell, Churchill Cooke, and John Toohey. We are always looking for singers or instrumentalists who are interested in assisting worship during the 8:30AM service on Sundays. This group is for all ages! We currently rehearse once a week.
Children's Choir - Directed by Janine Jones. This group, consisting of children from Kindergarten through 5th grade, meets on Wednesday afternoons during the school year as a part of QUEST. They typically perform once per month during Sunday services, and on Christmas Eve at the 5pm service.
PRIMO School of Music
Director – Dr. Bertie Centerbar
Offers music lessons on a variety of instruments and voices. Prices vary, contact Dr. Bertie Centerbar for more information
The Galleries at First Pres
Susan Lavender, Curator
Sheila Lougheed, Artist in Residence
The Galleries at First Pres feature a wide variety of works by local artists, on rotation quarterly throughout the year. The Galleries are located throughout the church campus, and they are open for viewing from 12pm to 3pm, Monday through Thursday. Guided tours are available Wednesdays between 3pm and 5pm. Admission is free and open to the community.