Music
Music Ministries
Worship is all about drawing near to God. When we make music, we create an attitude of anticipation; we invite people to step into the presence of unconditional love and acceptance for all. At CPC, our music program is geared to enabling all of us to give our best as we praise God. We enjoy a variety of musical styles, from the great hymns and classics to contemporary Christian sounds.
Do you like to sing? play an instrument? have fun? rejoice in God’s grace? Then you’ll fit right in at CPC. There are choirs for adults, handbells, musical opportunities for youth and children and plenty of opportunities for instrumentalists of all kinds to participate in worship. Join us in praise and worship of our great God.
Quick links
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir leads worship at CPC on most Sunday mornings from September through early June. A mixed-voice choir of adults of all ages, the Chancel Choir presents music in a wide variety of styles, composed by masters such as J. S. Bach and G. F. Handel up through contemporaries such as Lloyd Larsen and Amy Grant, both accompanied and a cappella. Twice each year (typically during Advent and Lent) major choral works are presented during worship.
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Rehearsals Sept-May Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Summer Special Music opportunities are available
Watch the Thursday Blast or Bulletin for schedule changes
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Contact Christopher Cock, Director of Music Ministries for more information
Clarion Bells
The Clarion Bells present music for Sunday morning worship every four to six weeks and is open to adults and youth. Prior bell-ringing experience is not required for participation in the Clarion Bells; however, the ability to read music is necessary. The group plays alone and at times accompanies the Chancel Choir. The ensemble plays two types of bells: a 4-octave set of Malmark English handbells and a 3-octave set of Malmark choir chimes.
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Rehearsals September -May Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Watch the Thursday Blast or Bulletin for schedule changes
Contact Christopher Cock, Director of Music Ministries for more information
CPC Concert Series
The CPC Concert Series was established in 2019 as a ministry of CPC to bring top quality music to the community. We offer three concerts per year covering a wide range of musical styles from classical to modern, both instrumental and vocal, and featuring musicians from our area. The Concert Series Committee recognizes the capacity of music to calm, uplift, delight, solace, unify and much more, thereby enriching our community through these gifts of music.
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Martin Ott Tracker Organ
In 1996 the leaders and musicians at Community Presbyterian Church made the decision to replace the old and failing organ in the sanctuary with a new one; one custom designed for the space and the worship requirements of CPC. The timing was right, as the sanctuary was undergoing extensive renovation.
Several organ builders were contacted and many instruments were visited, played, listened to with a critical ear, and evaluated. The final decision was reached when the committee heard the Martin Ott organ in the chapel at Union Church in Hinsdale. The listeners knew right away that was the sound they wanted in their newly refurbished sanctuary.
Martin Ott is the son of a German organ builder, and holds the distinctive title of “Orgelbaumeister,” master organ builder. He formed his company, Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company, in St. Louis in 1973, and has since built over 100 organs. He specializes in tracker action instruments, and his installations can be found in all the midwestern states, as well as on both coasts.
The organ he designed for Community Presbyterian Church is a two manual, mechanical action instrument with pedal, and holds the designation Opus 93. It contains 22 stops, with 27 ranks of pipes. Construction was begun on the organ in 1999, and it was transported to Clarendon Hills from the organ builder’s shop in St. Louis in November, 2000, and was first played in worship on February, 2001. The dedication service was held in April 22nd, 2001, with David Schrader playing the dedication recital.
