As we continue to celebrate 175 years of ministry in the Rochester community, join us for these thrilling events that celebrate and continue the rich tradition of music at Third Church.

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 "Celebrating the Journey" and offering our praise to God through sharing our gifts in this series of arts events! The wonderful 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. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you.

Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m. - The Feadan Or Pipe Band in Concert

The Feadan Or Pipe Band returns for a second year, to present a concert in our Sanctuary. The group, based in Penfield, 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 our Third Church Ringers, combining the sound of handbells with the pipes! Come and enjoy this free concert!

Friday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m. - Peter DuBois in Recital

Invite your friends to join you for this enjoyable evening of organ music featuring Third Church Director of Music/Organist Peter DuBois, performing on the 4-manual Austin organ in our sanctuary. The program, which is free and open to the public, will include works by J. S. Bach, César Franck, Jehan Alain, Maurice Duruflé and others.

Sunday, December 8 at 10:30 a.m. - Chancel Choir Special Music

Carols and Lullabies:
Christmas in the Southwest
by Conrad Susa

The Chancel Choir and soloists will present this delightful piece – a collection of ten Hispanic carols set by the gifted American composer Conrad Susa. They offer a refreshing glimpse at the way another culture expresses the joy and wonder of the Christmas event. These charming carols present a narrative of the story through simple folk texts and tunes, exquisitely by Mr. Susa, and accompanied by harp, guitar, marimba and vibraphone.

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 individuals and families. The Junior Choir, The Glorious Things, The Carol Choir, and the Junior High Bells will lead the Festival, as will many of Third Church's senior high youth.

8:00 p.m. – Candlelight Service of Holy Communion: The Chapel is the setting for this service of Holy Communion, with a meditation by John Wilkinson, and lessons and carols led by a small vocal ensemble.

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.

Sunday, February 9 at 10:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. - Youth Musical Production

Jesus Christ Superstar
by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

This year's Youth Musical will feature the junior and senior high youth presenting two performances of this classic 1970s rock opera. This riveting musical portrays the events in the last week of Jesus' life as told from the perspective of his betrayer, Judas Iscariot. It is a powerful, dramatic, and at times unsettling interpretation of the familiar story of Christ's Passion.

Wednesday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. - A SPECIAL CONCERT

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Butterman, conductor
Peter DuBois, organist

We will welcome Rochester's own world-class orchestra to our Sanctuary for one of their "Around the Town" concerts which will have music that is sure to appeal to all ages! Our own Peter DuBois will be featured guest soloist with the orchestra in several works for organ and orchestra. It is a rare treat to hear organ and orchestra in combination, and this should be a spectacular event. Help us fill the Sanctuary to capacity by inviting your family and friends to share in this extraordinary concert!

Sunday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. - Wooster Chorus

The Wooster Chorus, from the College of Wooster (Ohio), will present a delightful evening of choral music as part of their spring tour of the Northeast. Conductor John Russell will lead the group in this performance, which is free and open to the public.

Sunday, March 30 at 10:30 a.m. - Chancel Choir Special Music for Lent

To mark the holy season of Lent, the Chancel Choir will present two masterpieces of choral literature – Felix Mendelssohn's comforting Hear My Prayer for soprano solo and choir; and Gerald Finzi's powerful and moving setting of 17th century English poet Richard Crashaw's Lo, the full, final sacrifice.

Sunday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. - 175^th Anniversary Music Festival Concert

This Festival Concert will trace, through music and narrative, the development of the rich musical life and traditions found at Third Presbyterian Church. Much like a progressive dinner, we will move through different time periods in our history, and feature many of our musical ensembles. The featured large work will be the brilliant and exuberant Benedicite by contemporary English composer Andrew Carter. It will feature the Junior Choir, Chancel Choir and orchestra in this piece which vividly describes ALL of creation in praise of our Lord.

Sunday, May 11 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.

Throughout the year... - Historical Exhibits

Archivists from the Music and Arts Committee will be completing the display of artifacts tracing the 175-year history of our congregation in the gallery space located on the first floor of the Parish House. New installments will be added in September 2002 and May 2003.