Music

 

 

 

John Koza, Music Director

 

 

Tiffany Truett, Organist

 
John Koza is the director of our fine music program.  He earned his BA in Music (cum laude) and received his MA in Choral Conducting at San Jose State University.  While in college, he was selected as assistant conductor for the international-award-winning Choraliers   Mr. Koza is on the adjunct faculty of Hartnell College.  He is also the Music Director of the Camerata Singers, performs locally in the Bach Festival Chorale and recently adjudicated a choral festival for the California Music Educators Association.   Tiffany is a native of the Monterey Peninsula. She went to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where studied organ performance with Rodney Gehrke and worked for the San Francisco Symphony. She has played for I Cantori di Carmel, the Carmel Bach Festival Youth Chorus, the Monterey Peninsula Choral Society, and currently plays the organ at the Carmel Mission. 

Music Notes

Applause! Applause! (Or Not?)

Should we applaud during the time of worship? Some say, "Amen, absolutely!" Others tuck their hands under the arms and say, "Absolutely not!"

Applause is a way of affirming, congratulating, celebrating, acknowledging accomplishment. A significant birthday or anniversary, an award, achieving milestones are all worthy of applause. In our culture we applaud just about every musical presentation to acknowledge the performance. However, in worship, the performers are not performing, they are publicly sharing a private offering to God. Whether it be a solo, a duet or an entire choir singing, we are privileged to observe their personal offering of faith. These are offerings not performances, and out of respect for this sharing, applause is usually inappropriate. Sometimes, we simply cannot help ourselves. When the choir lifts our souls higher and higher with a rousing spiritual, or when the children finish singing a joyful song, we sometimes erupt in applause out of sheer joy. Certainly God is applauding too! Let us all remember that music in worship is an artful, loving, offering to the Lord and never a performance, and therefore does not require applause.
                                                                                                           - - John Koza, Music Director

Choir

First Presbyterian is blessed to have a magnificent choir, consisting of approximately 45 dedicated and able vocalists.  This wonderful choir graces us with music which adds greatly to the spirituality of our worship experience.  The choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:20 p.m. in the sanctuary; they sing at the 10:30 service every Sunday.  They take a well-deserved break for several weeks each summer.

Adult Handbell Choir

This group of committed ringers rehearses on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary and performs at worship services approximately monthly. 

Praise Band

This group of dedicated, very capable musicians provides uplifting contemporary music for regular praise services and other church events.  The fun-loving group is directed by Linda Thompson.

Children's Choir

Children Pre-school through 5th grade are welcome to join our Kids Choir.  Please meet Kids Choir Directors, Ellen Collord, and  Linda Thompson, at 10:00 a.m. in the MMO Classroom.  Children will practice each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. then go with the directors to church at 10:30 where they will be excused to Sunday School after the Children’s Sermon.