Sunday, September 28 at 4 p.m.
Our first concert of the season will be played by our new Minister of Music, Joshua Stafford. In addition to his role at First Church, Joshua is the Director of Sacred Music and Jared Jacobsen Chair Organist for Chautauqua Institution. He is also the 2016 winner of the Pierre S. DuPont First Prize at the Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Wednesday, October 1, 12:15 p.m.
Nikita Annenkov, cello; Yihan Zhang, piano
Take a break from the busy workweek and experience a breathtaking performance of music for cello and piano.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Sunday, October 19, 4 p.m.
Hymn Festival with Richard Webster, conductor
Noted composer, arranger, and choral conductor Richard Webster, formerly of Trinity, Copley Square, Boston, leads us in a hymn festival with the First Church Choir, brass, organs, and congregational song!
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Wednesday, November 5, 12:15 p.m.
Jeanne Norton, harp; Joshua Stafford, orgn
Take a break from the busy workweek and experience a calming performance of music for cello and piano.
Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong, rooted in the rich liturgical tradition of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, has been aptly described by W.H. Auden as “the finest piece of liturgical writing in the English language.” This venerable Anglican service has a storied history that spans centuries, dating back to the early days of the Church of England. Originally crafted during the English Reformation, the Book of Common Prayer became a cornerstone of Anglican worship, and Choral Evensong stands as one of its most cherished expressions. Held in the late afternoon or early evening, this service offers attendees a serene and contemplative experience, where scripture, music, and prayer intertwine. Through psalms, hymns, canticles, and scripture readings, Choral Evensong invites you to connect with the divine in a profoundly meditative way, immersing yourself in a spiritual journey that is as timeless as it is beautiful—a true testament to the enduring legacy of the English liturgical tradition.
Sunday, November 23, 4 p.m.
Ohio Capital Winds
Catherine Hope Cunningham, conductor
A champion of wind ensemble music, OCW performs classic repertoire from masters such as Holst, Sousa, Grainger, and Ohio's own Henry Fillmore. The musicianship of the ensemble's 30+ professional and semi-professional players is its hallmark. This program will also feature a work for wind symphony and organ!
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Wednesday, December 3 at 12:15 p.m.
Organist Joshua Stafford offers a program of organ music for Advent.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Sunday, December 15 at 4 p.m.
Usher in the Christmas season with this beautiful candlelight festival featuring the First Church Choir, Ringers, Brass, and two organs. May the music of the choirs, the songs of the congregation, the prayers, and lessons read aloud bring you great joy and peace, which passes all human understanding.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 a.m.
Join First Church Arts for the 2nd annual Family Organ Day on Saturday, January 11 starting at 10 a.m.: an opportunity for the young and young-at-heart to meet the two magnificent pipe organs at First Church!
The morning includes:
A Short, Family-Friendly Concert
An Explanation & Demonstration of the Organs
An Opportunity to Build a Small Pipe Organ
A Chance to Play the Organs!
This is a great opportunity for any children interested in music, and especially piano students, to experience the thrill of hearing and playing a pipe organ! First Church is unique in being home to two world-class organs- a Kimball from 1931 and a Beckerath from 1972. There is no charge for this event.
All are welcome- please reach out to us if you or your child(ren) need any accommodations!
Sunday, January 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong, rooted in the rich liturgical tradition of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, has been aptly described by W.H. Auden as “the finest piece of liturgical writing in the English language.” This venerable Anglican service has a storied history that spans centuries, dating back to the early days of the Church of England. Originally crafted during the English Reformation, the Book of Common Prayer became a cornerstone of Anglican worship, and Choral Evensong stands as one of its most cherished expressions. Held in the late afternoon or early evening, this service offers attendees a serene and contemplative experience, where scripture, music, and prayer intertwine. Through psalms, hymns, canticles, and scripture readings, Choral Evensong invites you to connect with the divine in a profoundly meditative way, immersing yourself in a spiritual journey that is as timeless as it is beautiful—a true testament to the enduring legacy of the English liturgical tradition.
Wednesday, February 4, 12:15 p.m.
Michael Unger, harpsichord
Take a break from the busy workweek and experience the artistry of Michael Unger at our beautiful Bechtel Harpsichord.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Sunday, February 23, 4 p.m.
Joshua Stafford, organ
Ronald Jenkins, conductor
Back by popular demand, this program of music for organ and chamber orchestra, includes works by Handel, Rheinberger, and others
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Wednesday, March 4, 12:15 p.m.
Richard Fitzgerald, organist
Take a break from the busy workweek and experience the artistry of Dr. Richard K. Fitzgerald the Director of Music and Organist of Saint Joseph Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Sunday, March 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong, rooted in the rich liturgical tradition of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, has been aptly described by W.H. Auden as “the finest piece of liturgical writing in the English language.” This venerable Anglican service has a storied history that spans centuries, dating back to the early days of the Church of England. Originally crafted during the English Reformation, the Book of Common Prayer became a cornerstone of Anglican worship, and Choral Evensong stands as one of its most cherished expressions. Held in the late afternoon or early evening, this service offers attendees a serene and contemplative experience, where scripture, music, and prayer intertwine. Through psalms, hymns, canticles, and scripture readings, Choral Evensong invites you to connect with the divine in a profoundly meditative way, immersing yourself in a spiritual journey that is as timeless as it is beautiful—a true testament to the enduring legacy of the English liturgical tradition.
Sunday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong, rooted in the rich liturgical tradition of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, has been aptly described by W.H. Auden as “the finest piece of liturgical writing in the English language.” This venerable Anglican service has a storied history that spans centuries, dating back to the early days of the Church of England. Originally crafted during the English Reformation, the Book of Common Prayer became a cornerstone of Anglican worship, and Choral Evensong stands as one of its most cherished expressions. Held in the late afternoon or early evening, this service offers attendees a serene and contemplative experience, where scripture, music, and prayer intertwine. Through psalms, hymns, canticles, and scripture readings, Choral Evensong invites you to connect with the divine in a profoundly meditative way, immersing yourself in a spiritual journey that is as timeless as it is beautiful—a true testament to the enduring legacy of the English liturgical tradition.
Sunday, May 3, 4 p.m.
First Church Ringers
Jennifer Fry, conductor
Celebrating our new five-octave set of Malmark handbells and seven-octave expansion of choirchimes, a delightful afternoon with the First Church Ringers conducted by Jennifer Fry.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Wednesday, May 6, 12:15 p.m.
Jeremy Bankson, organist
Take a break from the busy workweek and experience the artistry of Jeremy Bankson, the Director of Music and Organist of Prince of Peace Lutheran in Dublin.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
Sunday, May 17 at 4:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong, rooted in the rich liturgical tradition of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, has been aptly described by W.H. Auden as “the finest piece of liturgical writing in the English language.” This venerable Anglican service has a storied history that spans centuries, dating back to the early days of the Church of England. Originally crafted during the English Reformation, the Book of Common Prayer became a cornerstone of Anglican worship, and Choral Evensong stands as one of its most cherished expressions. Held in the late afternoon or early evening, this service offers attendees a serene and contemplative experience, where scripture, music, and prayer intertwine. Through psalms, hymns, canticles, and scripture readings, Choral Evensong invites you to connect with the divine in a profoundly meditative way, immersing yourself in a spiritual journey that is as timeless as it is beautiful—a true testament to the enduring legacy of the English liturgical tradition.
Sunday, May 31, 4 p.m.
Silent Film: The Black Pirate
Brett Miller, organist
The First Church arts season concludes with this swashbuckling 1926 adventure film starring Douglas Fairbanks with accompaniment provided by Brett Miller at the Kimball Organ.
Free and open to the public | Freewill offering
June 8-12, 2026, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Singing and Ringing Camp
Led by talented and experienced faculty, our week-long day camp offers children the opportunity to explore choral singing, handbells, and ChoirChimes, all while learning music theory in a fun and supportive environment.
