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Music Program

Music plays an integral role in worship: It’s a visceral celebration of our love for God and one another. Each Sunday we express our faith through the singing of hymns, rehearsed choral and handbell arrangements, organ and piano selections, and other ensemble offerings. We enjoy sharing a wide variety of music so there’s always something for everyone. If you are a vocalist or instrumental soloist with talent to share, we would love to hear from you. Contact Matt Mainster.

The Sanctuary Choir

Under the direction of Matthew Mainster, the Sanctuary Choir is a volunteer adult choral ensemble with a strong sense of community and purpose, always with hearts to sing. Our numbers vary greatly from season to season, and we always welcome new singers.

If you would like to make a joyful noise, we rehearse and sing one Monday evening and Sunday morning per month (September through May). During June and July we have a more casual “pick-up choir” that rehearses briefly on Sunday mornings before the service, and in August, we feature special soloists. All are welcome to participate! Please contact Matt@camdenucc.org for more details.

 

Choral Bells

Also under the direction of Matthew Mainster, Choral Bells is our handbell ensemble. From September through May, the group rehearses one scheduled Monday a month, 4:30 to 6:00 pm, followed by ringing in service the following Sunday. If you are interested in joining Choral Bells, contact Matt@camdenucc.org.

The group performs on three octaves of Schulmerich handbells and three octaves of Malmark Choirchimes. The ringers share a great fellowship as we work together to create unique worship music.

Director of Music

Matt received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Organ Performance, Piano Performance and Sacred Music from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. He went on to earn a Master of Music in Organ Performance from the Yale School of Music in New Haven, Connecticut. Matt has held Director of Music and/or Organist positions at several churches in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. He was on faculty at the Maryland Conservatory of Music, and now he teaches private lessons locally.

Matt is also an author of books for children and adults, some of which are available on Amazon.com.

Friends of Music

For more than twenty-five years we have offered stunning concerts to the Midcoast community—from classical to contemporary, bluegrass to jazz. Friends of Music concerts are free and open to the public.

Take a moment to review our current concert schedule and, if you are able, we invite you to support sustaining this important gift. Donations are cheerfully accepted at the sanctuary doors on concert afternoons, by check mailed to First Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843 noting “Friends of Music” on the memo line; Or, make a gift online!

 

2011 recipient

Sarah Palermo,
Westminster Choir College

2017 recipient

Abigail Wester,
Gettysburg College

2017 recipient

Annie Brady,
Ithaca College School of Music

2018 recipient

Esme Power,
University of Southern Maine School of Music

Friends of Music Scholarship

The First Congregational Church of Camden has awarded several Friends of Music Scholarships in recent years to students majoring in music at the undergraduate or graduate level. Presently, we are rebuilding the fund and hope to offer more scholarships in the years ahead.