Music at F&C
The broad range of the music program at F&C includes Festival Concerts, Thursday Noontime Concerts, the Chancel Choir, and the Center City Chorale. New this season is Mastersingers of Wilmington, a concert choir of professional and amateur singers in residence at First & Central. Our Gabriel Kney Organ dates from 1989.
All programs are developed and overseen by our Minister of Music, David Schelat.
Festival Concerts
Festival Concerts at F&C are a series of full-length concerts usually scheduled on weekends. This season’s performances include grand organ music on the Gabriel Kney organ, Mastersingers of Wilmington, and the Serafin String Quartet with guest pianist Sandra Rivers.
Thursday Noontime Concerts
Our primary musical offering to the community is Thursday Noontime Concerts — half-hour concerts of outstanding classical, jazz, folk, and multicultural music in a location and time that fits easily into the schedule of downtown workers and shoppers. The concerts are free. This program is made possible, in part, by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Delaware Division of the Arts, as well as corporate support from WSFS and Bank of America, and generous donations from our concertgoers.
Chancel Choir of First & Central
The Chancel Choir helps lead Sunday worship at F&C. It sings a variety of anthems, from standard sacred choral music of J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel to new music by Americans Gerald Near and Bruce Neswick, as well as music from cultures around the world. The Chancel Choir has 22 members, both amateur and professional, and is open to new singers by informal audition. For details, contact David Schelat.
Center City Chorale
The Center City Chorale is a 45-voice mixed SATB choir designed for and primarily comprised of people who work in downtown Wilmington. Click here for details. The Chorale rehearses each Tuesday, 12:05 - 12:55 pm, from September through May. It usually performs during Thursday Noontime Concerts, singing repertoire that ranges from sacred to secular, from Bach and Mozart to music from non-Western cultures, spirituals, and vocal jazz. No audition is necessary, but a commitment to weekly rehearsal is essential. For details, contact David Schelat.
NEW THIS SEASON—Mastersingers of Wilmington
Mastersingers of Wilmington is a select, 26-voice choral ensemble, which has developed from the Chancel Choir and will thrill you with the beautifully blended sound, remarkably well-tuned singing, and insightful and exciting performances you have come to expect when attending a choral concert at First & Central. Mastersingers of Wilmington will explore classics of the choral repertoire, music that is delightfully new, and sounds of cultures around the world. The ensemble is made up of the finest amateur and professional singers in the region.
Children’s Music
Each Sunday, children are offered an opportunity to learn about music as part of church school. All children meet with music educator, Julie Swanson, for a music-making session utilizing the church’s collection of Orff instruments. The children showcase what they have learned during all-church gatherings. In addition, they sing and play during worship a few times each year.
Community Concerts & Events
Groups from the Greater Wilmington community are welcome at F&C! Wilmington’s First Night celebration has used the sanctuary as a venue since its inception. The Wilmington Children’s Chorus, the Cathedral Choir School of Delaware, and the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware hold many of their concerts at the church. In addition, F&C is the rehearsal home for the Wilmington Children’s Chorus; the American Guild of Organists offers periodic educational and fellowship programs; and musicians from the community regularly hold recitals and small concerts.
SUPPORT MUSIC in OUR COMMUNITY!
Support the music that First & Central provides through a donation to Friends of Music! Click the Donate button below to use our secure PayPal account that allows you to donate with confidence using your credit card.