First Presbyterian Church Concert Series 2009-2010

PRESS RELEASE: Orange, NJ Church begins Concert Series second season in September.

First Presbyterian Church of Orange, 420 Main Street, Orange NJ has a long history of great musical performance in conjunction with its worship services and community outreach. A comprehensive list of artists who have contributed to First Presbyterian’s musical life would read much like a ‘who’s who’ of great New Jersey musicians. A 1200 seat sanctuary with splendid acoustics, a magnificent pipe organ that can easily be described as world class and a congregation with a deep appreciation for fine music once ensured that this Federalist style Protestant church on the corner of Scotland Rd and Main St in Orange was a musical focal point for the neighborhood.

As is true for so many houses of worship and other not-for-profit organizations in today’s world, difficult economic times have resulted in dwindling resources, shrinking budgets and vanishing programs. Musical outreach at First Presbyterian had become all but a thing of the past.

A thing of the past that is, until the congregation’s leadership voted to reinstate a concert series last year. Now in it’s second season, the First Presbyterian Concert series, while operating on a marginal budget, offers programs of true musical excellence in styles ranging from classical instrumental and choral music to Blues, Jazz, and Rock. The church generally hosts one or two concerts a month. Added to the line-up this season is a monthly feature called ‘Poet’s Corner’ featuring the poetic offerings of a featured reader and an ‘open mic’ for audience participants. In addition to the formal concerts the church also offers a series of ‘Drop-by Recitals’ on the second and fourth Sunday’s of each month at 12:30 pm. These brief programs feature the church’s 4 manual Austin organ in themed programs of organ repertoire. Under the direction of Minister of Music and Organist Anthony Mark LaMort the concert series maintains the philosophy of bringing the finest music into the heart of the urban environment where it may be enjoyed by all. As such, all of First Presbyterian Church’s concerts are free and open to the public. Free-will offerings and other donations are gratefully received, and corporate and private sponsorship is heartily encouraged, but absolutely no admittance fee is expected in order to attend these concerts. For more information, please call 570.228.8517 or email lunires33@aol.com

Concerts Home | Concert Performers Biographies and Photos | First Presbyterian Church Main Site | Concert Performers Biographies and Photos | Poet's Corner Featured Reader Bios and Photos | Audio Clips | Photo Album | Links to Friends of First Presbyterian Church | Drop-by Recitals |