These words written in 1988 by Brian Dill, and found in our hymnal, set the stage for our Music and Arts programming at Third Church for the coming year.

Throughout human history, God's people have been blessed with many and varied gifts.

Our faith often finds its most powerful and profound expression through creative gifts which include art, music, drama and literature.

We hope you will join us in "singing" our praise to God through sharing our gifts in this series of arts events! The extraordinary variety of programs, and the substantial gifts and talents of our members, will help us expand and enlarge our praise beyond what words can express.

Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 p.m. - Choral Evensong and High Tea

Come to this wonderful service celebrating the Chancel Choir's wonderful tour to Great Britain this past summer. Patterned after the services they sang daily at Rochester Cathedral as they served as choir-in-residence, this reflective liturgy, full of music, scripture and prayer will be a fitting beginning to the new season of music and arts events at Third Church. A splendid tea, with all kinds of goodies will be served following – you may also view scrapbooks, pictures, and even the Third Church website at the gathering following. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you!

Sunday, October 14 at 3:00 p.m. - The Feadan Or Pipe Band in Concert

The Feadan Or Pipe Band, based in Penfield, New York, performs a wonderful blend of traditional, contemporary and Celtic folk music on the Great Highland Bagpipe, High Tension Snare Drum, Tuned Tenor Drum and Bass Drum. Pipes, drums and dancers add to the performance spectacle of this award winning pipe band. A special highlight of the program will be the addition of Assistant Organist Christian Lane combining the pipe organ with the pipe band in a performance of "Highland Cathedral!" Come and enjoy this free concert!

Sunday, December 16 at 10:30 a.m. - Chancel Choir Special Music

The Chancel Choir accompanied by organ, brass and percussion, will present TWO twentieth-century settings of the ancient text of the Gloria in excelsis. The first is by well-known British composer John Rutter. Paired with it will be a wonderful addition to the repertoire, composed by our guest conductor, Robert McIver of the faculty of the Eastman School of Music. Come and experience the joy and freshness of these two great pieces!

Christmas Eve – Monday, December 24

4:30 p.m. – Festival of the Nativity: This traditional candlelight service, incorporating narration, carols, and tableaux illustrating the Nativity will be our early Christmas Eve service for families of all kinds. The Junior Choir, The Glorious Things, The Carol Choir, and the Junior High Bells will participate, as will many of Third Church's senior high youth.

11:00 p.m. – Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols: Once in Royal David's City, led by children, and joined by choir and congregation, opens this beautiful candlelight service which portrays in scripture and music the wondrous story of our Savior's birth. The Chancel Choir provides musical leadership for the service, which includes much congregational singing, as well.

Friday, January 18 at 8:00 p.m. - Christian Lane in Recital

Assistant Organist Chris Lane will present a rousing organ recital in the Third Church Sanctuary on the magnificent 4-manual Austin organ. Included will be works by Nicolaus Bruhns, Frank Bridge, William Bolcom, Franz Liszt, and others! In addition, Chris will be joined by friends Michelle Martin, Leah Edwards, and Keith Varney in some spectacular additions to the program --- an energetic organ duet, and selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera", accompanied by the organ. Don't miss this night of great organ music!

Sunday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. - REQUIEM, Op. 9 by Maurice Duruflé

The Chancel Choir will present this 20th century masterpiece of choral literature by one of the leading French composers of his day. This intensely moving and personal setting of the requiem text is entirely based on plainchant, but richly adorned with sumptuous harmonies and gorgeous orchestration.

Sunday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m. - Hampton University Concert Choir

The "Concert Choir" is the primary touring ensemble for Hampton University. This group distinguishes itself by performing in some of the most honorable concert halls and churches in this country and abroad. They have toured Europe and Canada, performed in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and were featured at the Inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton in 1997.

This select group of singers maintains high standards, professional demeanor, charisma, and musical integrity. The choir presents a program which is rich in quality and contrast, incorporating music from all classes of choral literature. It presents ethnic diversity within the selection of choral compositions, highlighting both master composers and works from new composers. Founded in 1868, Hampton University is located on 204 acres of Virginia's Peninsula.

Sunday, April 28 at 10:30 a.m. - The Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hit

The Junior Choir will present this energetic and wonderful musical by Allen Pote and Tom Long as our morning worship…we'll let you guess the story line! Join us for a wonderful presentation by our children.

Sunday, May 5 at 12:00 p.m. - Third Church Handbell Festival

Join us after worship for a wonderful program featuring the talents of all of the bell choirs of Third Church in concert! This promises to be a unique and thrilling event.

Sunday, May 12 at 10:30 a.m. - Music Recognition Sunday

This service is the annual celebration and recognition of the many persons who participate in the music ministry of Third Church, and serves as the culmination of the year's program for children's youth, and handbell choirs. Many of the musical groups will participate as we celebrate the talent and dedication of so many persons in our congregation sharing their gifts to the glory of God.

Sunday, June 23 at 4:00 p.m. - Choral Evensong and High Tea

The Chancel Choir will once again lead the congregation in a Service of Choral Evensong in the Sanctuary. The service will be followed by High Tea in Johnston Hall. It is indeed our great pleasure to welcome special guest precentor Canon Jonathan Meyrick from Rochester Cathedral in Kent, England. Canon Meyrick sang the daily services with our choir during its residency at the cathedral last summer, and will help lead us in this service.

The 45-minute service of prayers, scripture, psalms and anthems will follow the format which the choir experienced daily during its residency. Sometimes called Evening Prayer, the service is centuries old, and has been said or sung daily in some form for over 1000 years in many of the cathedrals and collegiate churches in England. It is a beautiful liturgy of quiet devotion.