noteNOTES FROM THE MUSIC STAFF

Youth Choir

We have a variety of musical groups ready to use you talents. Do come to a practice and see if you want to be part of our:

Adult Choir practices weekly during the school year on Wednesdays at 7:30. The Adult Choir is the backbone of the music program. It participates in most regular worship services and several special services.

Instrumental Ensemble meets Wednesdays at 5:15 and plays a number of times during the year including during the Lenten, Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Adult Handbell Choir meets Wednesday at 6:00 and plays a number of times during the year including during the Lenten, Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Youth Choir rehearses Sunday morning at 9:15 am. They sing often during morning worship.

The Orange Presbyterian Church actively supports the Orange Community Chorus and often hosted their concerts.

Al and Barb Packard
 Questions? Call 672-3322

The Andrews Steinway Piano
(Acrobat file of the Piano story for printing)

A Short History of the restored Andrews Steinway piano
SteinwayMark Andrews (1875-1939) was a distinguished organist, and an early recording artist for the RCA Victor recording company. During the 1920’s Andrews recorded a number of solo organ pieces, including selections from Mendelssohn, Rossini, Wagner and Fauré. In 1929 RCA commissioned Andrews to supervise a recording of “The Crucifixion,” a popular Victorian era oratorio by John Stainer.

Andrews assembled a stellar cast for the project, including baritone Lawrence Tibbett and tenor Richard Crooks. Tibbett and Crooks were two of America’s best-known singers. Both had sung at the Metropolitan Opera, and performed popular ballads on the radio and in recordings. The Trinity Choir, along with the soloists, crowded into the Victor recording studio in Camden, New Jersey in May of 1929. Andrews ran the sessions, and played the organ for the recordings.

Issued on six 78 rpm discs in a bound book, the project was one of the earliest complete recordings of Stainer’s oratorio. In gratitude, the RCA Recording Company presented Mark Andrews with a Steinway parlor grand piano. Mark Andrew’s son inherited the Steinway upon his death, and it remained in Mark Andrew Jr.’s home for many years. Andrews moved to Orange, Virginia and became a member of Orange Presbyterian Church. Andrews sang in the choir. When he moved to a smaller home, Andrews Jr. donated his father’s piano to the church.

The Andrews Steinway is a Model A parlor grand piano. While the model A has the touch and feel of a concert grand, it’s designed to take up significantly less space, making it a popular choice for schools and institutions.

 

HELP WANTED

  • Position: Choir member in the soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections. No others need apply.
  • Physical Qualifications:: Must be able to carry light musical notes part-way across the church. Must have good vision to see the director.
  • Experience: No applications accepted from persons who have not sung, whistled or hummed in the shower at some time.
  • Beginning Wages:: Guaranteed satisfaction and joy in the service of the Lord.
  • Advancement Opportunity : Members who demonstrate unusual ability or courage might sing a solo sometime.
  • Fringe Benefits : Social Security - we promise you the security of fellowship with other fine members of the choir.
  • Retirement : After your voice reaches the place where it can hit two notes at once, you may sit in the congregation and listen to others use their God Given talents.
  • Rehearsals: Wednesday at 7:30 pm.

For more information, please contact Al Packard at 672-3322 or come Wednesdays at 7:30 PM to the choir room at OPC.

 
 
Orange Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Denise Hall, Pastor - (540) 672-4240, OPC@OrangePC.org