Upcoming Events

Upcoming Music at The Dover Church

Check back here regularly for the latest news and events at The Dover Church.

Instruments

The first record of a pipe organ in the First Parish church comes in 1845.  In this century, the noted sculptress and philanthropist, Amelia Peabody, presented The Dover Church with an organ which served for nearly thirty years. 

In 1993 the magnificent organ that serves the church at present was dedicated.  The instrument is Opus 107, by C.B. Fisk of Gloucester, Massachusetts, the leading maker of mechanical tracker organs in America.  The organ has 15 stops, 19 ranks, 1022 pipes, tuned in slightly uneven temperament, favoring the common keys of earlier music, while being fully consonant with modern repertoire and hymnody.  The modest scaling and careful voicing of the organ result in an instrument perfectly suited for an intimate meeting-house setting, that organ critics compare with instruments in King’s Chapel, and Old West Church, Boston.  Read a review of Fisk Opus 107.

Program Archives

The Ministry of Music

 The Dover Church believes that music has the power to provide beauty and inspiration, to set a mood conducive to worship, to enhance scripture and prayer within the service, to unite and inspire the congregation through choral singing and congregational singing. The Dover Church has long been blessed with an extraordinary music ministry that depends on congregational participation. At a meeting on January 13, 1764, it was voted to have singing instruction twice a week.  Beginning in 1770, three men were elected to “line out the psalms” in church for the year, standing in the gallery, leading responsive singing of psalms.

Today, we offer many opportunities in this ministry. Please contact Michael or Stacia Kraft to tell them which group you would like to be involved with.

Adult Choir rehearses on Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 pm in the Music Room. The Choir invites High School students to join them.

Family Handbell Choir rehearses seasonally on Wednesdays, 7:00 -8:00 pm in the Music Room, beginning in October.

Concert Choir rehearses seasonally on Thursdays, 8:00 -9:00 pm and occasionally on Saturday mornings in preparation for two Meeting House Music concerts per year, one during Advent and one in April.

Instrumentalists: People of all ages are encouraged to offer their instrumental talents and be part of our Prelude or special service music on Sunday mornings.

Voice Instruction can be arranged privately with Stacia Kraft, our resident artist and coordinator of special music.