Music
RPC’s Music Ministry welcomes you, whether or not you are an RPC member and no matter where you are in your musical and spiritual journey! Contact Kara Kesserling for more information on any of our programs or check the Music Ministry bulletin board outside the church office. Or just pay us a visit during a rehearsal! (Times listed below.)
Chancel Choir
Scottswood Singers
Handel’s Messiah
Calling All Musicians!
About Our Organ
Chancel Choir
RPC’s chancel choir makes a joyful noise during worship every Sunday from September to May. We sing in a variety of musical styles. All voice parts are welcome, and all ages from middle school on up! Choral experience and/or ability to read music are useful but not required; we support all levels of experience and musical skill, and we ask only for enthusiasm and commitment. We rehearse in the sanctuary (entry on Scottswood) on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am before the 10 am worship service.
Scottswood Singers
At RPC we believe that everyone can find lifelong joy in making music, and a central part of our music ministry is providing free music education to kids from preschool through 5th grade. Kara has extensive experience teaching children for many years through Wiggleworms and Little Red Piano classes at Old Town School of Folk Music. She also teaches private piano, voice, theory and songwriting. The Scottswood Singers play fun warm up games, learn solfège and prepare for their monthly Sunday worship performances. The Scottswood Singers main objective is to grow a deeper appreciation for music & movement, provide a public performance opportunity, and making friendships along the way. The Scottswood Singers rehearse on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 pm during the school year. The Scottswood Singers are open to everyone ages 4-10 in the community and do not need to be church members to participate.
Handel's Messiah
Mid-December is extra special at RPC as we celebrate Advent with Handel’s Messiah, a tradition since 1986. The RPC choir is joined by volunteer singers from all around the western suburbs, as well as professional soloists and orchestra, and we present the “Christmas” section of the famous oratorio along with selected portions of the other sections. The chorus rehearses in the sanctuary on the first and second Saturdays in December from 10 am to noon, has a final dress rehearsal with soloists and orchestra on Sunday at 1:00 pm and performs at 4 pm before a large and enthusiastic audience. This annual event has no admission charge but is supported by free-will offerings at the door and by other donations often made in honor or memory of the donor’s loved ones. Contact Lynda Nadkarni if you would like more information about participating.
Calling All Musicians!
Do you sing or play an instrument? Is your child taking music lessons? Let us know! The RPC Music Ministry welcomes musicians of all ages who’d like to share their talents in worship. We are always looking for soloists (vocal or instrumental) or small ensembles to provide Sunday music, and if you’re interested in performing at other times of the year! The congregation is a deeply appreciative audience. Contact Kara Kesselring any time to discuss ways to carve your talents into the worship services.
About Our Organ
The RPC houses a beautiful pipe organ, with parts of it dating back to 1904 and the original maker was Kimball of Chicago. It has undergone multiple renovations—in the 1950s when the pipes were covered by a screen, in the 1980s when some pipes were added, and most recently in 2016 when it received a complete overhaul as part of a major capital campaign, including a new console. Please reach out to Kara Kesselring if you or someone you know has the special organ skills and would like to provide special music for worship.