MUSIC AT FIRST UNITED CHURCH

The music program of the First United Church has long been noted for its excellence. We draw upon both the professional talents of the IU School of Music and the enthusiastic participation of amateur music lovers in our congregation. All are welcome to participate. No audition necessary. Just come and sing!

Below are some of the people who make it happen:

Edwin Penhorwood, organist of First United Church, is a native of Ohio and a graduate of the University of Iowa. Also a pianist, composer, and vocal coach, he has taught in the International School of Zurich, Switzerland, at the School of Church Music in Berlin and has accompanied singers and instrumentalists in North America and in Europe for many years.

Dr. Penhorwood's compositions (choral works, operas, and songs) are published by Carl Fischer, Abingdon, T.I.S., and Hinshaw Music. Many of his choral and sacred vocal compositions were written for The Sanctuary Choir and soloists of the First United Church of Bloomington. Dr. Penhorwood has also edited two volumes of Vincenzo Righini's vocal works published by Southern Music.

Edwin Penhorwood is a faculty member of Indiana University working with the Opera Workshop and teaches Accompanying. Dr. Penhorwood is married to soprano Costanza Cuccaro.

David Wood is the Choir Director at First United Church and the Music Director for WFIU Public Radio in Bloomington.  Before moving to Bloomington for advanced study in Early Music Ensemblle Direction at Indiana UNiversity's Early Music Institute, David served as the Music Director of Central Christian Church in Dallas, Texas.  He earned his masters degrees in choral conducting and vocal performance at the University of North Texas.  At UNT, he studied conducting with Dr. Jerry McCoy and served as assistant director of the Collegium Singers under Dr. Lyle Nordstrom.  David's primary research has been in the sacred choral music of the 15th to 18th centuries, liturgical reconstruction, and, in particular, the music of Heinrich Isaac, Orlando di Lasso, Heinrich Schutz, and George Frederick Handel.

David's performing career has found him with The Dallas Bach Society, The Orchestra of New Spain, The New York Baroque Dance Company, The New York Baroque Orchestra, Texas Choral Artists, and at the Boston, Bloomington, and Indianapolis Early Music Festivals.  In his "free" time, he plays and sings Irish traditional music, serves on the Board of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, and he is currently working to establish the Bloomington Irish Association.

The Adult Choir ministers through music at Sunday morning worship as well as special services and performances thorughout the year.  We are a mixed-voice ensemble of around 30 singers ranging in experience from beginners to seasoned professionals.  Recent repertoir includes works from Vaughn Williams, Lauridson, Brahms, Bach, Pinkham, Britten, and our organist, Edwin Penhorwood.  The choir is also well-acquainted with many folk and world traditions, incluing shape-note harmony, spirituals, Gospel, and Taise.

The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m.  All are welcome to join!

Pat Briggs conducts our Bell Choir.  Pat graduated from Indiana University and also attended The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.  She has directed severl choirs and musical productions in Massachusetts.  In Indianapolis she directed a Bell Choir with her husband.  Pat has been a choir member of First United Church for over 30 years and played in the Bell Choir before becoming the director.  

The Bell Choir regularly performs with bells and chimes at our worship services.  They meet every Thursday at 6:15 p.m. for practice.  Anyone interested in participating in this part of our musical program is welcome to join in.  Ability to read music is helpful.