Ongoing music in Covid times:

Due to the current First Presbyterian Church coronavirus policy, we are unable to plan and present the Con Spirito Concert Series at present. In lieu of this we have scheduled several local musicians to provide meditation music during the noon Wednesday Worship services. On September 30, harpist Terri Langerak played several well-loved hymns. Future dates include guitarist Kirk Hanser on October 28 and bassoonist Felicia Foland on November 25. These services may be viewed live or at a later time in archived files on the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood website kirkwoodpres.org or on the church’s FaceBook page. Please continue to visit our website (conspirito.kirkwoodpres.org) or the Con Spirito Concert Series FaceBook page for calendar updates.

In addition, we are pleased to present organists Bill Stein and Travis Evans this coming Thursday, October 22 at 7:00. After the cancellation of their May 4 concert, Bill and Travis have looked for a date to reschedule the program. However, without seeing a time when in person performances can be resumed Bill and Travis have chosen several solo and duet organ pieces from that program to play for you. Please log onto the church website (kirkwoodpres.org) or FaceBook page to view the concert. This program will also be archived if you are unable to watch live.

The mission of the Con Spirito Concert Series of the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood is to strengthen the church’s mission to lift up the minds and hearts of people to God, to each other and to life in its totality. Seeking to attract a diverse audience, the musical events in the concert series feature high quality ensembles, composers, conductors and soloists from both the local and world-wide artistic communities. This music ministry enhances the experiences of both our congregation and the community through programming that best complement the excellent acoustics and aesthetic beauty of our diverse and wonderful facilities. The concert series continues the First Presbyterian Church tradition of outreach through musical offerings.

The Con Spirito Concert Committee was formed at First Presbyterian to strengthen the church’s mission to lift up the minds and hearts of people to God, to each other and to life in its totality. Seeking to attract a diverse audience, the musical events in the Concert Series feature high quality ensembles, composers, conductors and soloists from both the local and world-wide artistic communities.

Each year since its inception the Committee has worked diligently to follow this mission through yearly programs of main season concerts and recitals during Lent. In recent years we have also added the Notes@9 programs each Sunday in July. We strive to present a variety of musical experiences which, we hope, will be inviting for the members of our congregation and the community at large. Our series have included college and adult choirs, organ recitals, instrumental ensembles, handbell choirs, bluegrass and folk music groups, vocalists, instrumentalists, and our own Chancel Choir and Orchestra. Each year we also sponsor a children’s musical from the Imaginary Theatre Company.

This year we are adding a new series of French Fridays which will feature a light French-inspired repast followed by a program of French music, highlighting our wonderful Casavant organ. As you look through our calendar of events, we hope you will be inspired to join us often throughout the year as we celebrate our 20th season.

Bill Stein, Artistic Director
Cassandra Tessereau, Committee Chair