Adult Chancel Choir
Led by our Music Director Ray Klemchuk, our Adult Chancel Choir performs most Sunday mornings during worship. The group rehearses Wednesday evenings from 7:15PM – 8:45PM in Room 203. All ages and ability levels are welcome. To learn more, contact Ray at ray@wscongo.org.
All in
The Congo House Band
The First Congo House Band — All In — performs contemporary sacred and secular music occasionally during Sunday worship, monthly in Sunday evening “Words & Music” services, and during special occasions like block parties, Fall Kick-Off, and various fundraising events.
Words & Music:
All are welcome to join us at the intersection of pop culture and faith! Our monthly Words & Music programs take place typically on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month at 5PM in Plymouth Hall from September to May! During these popular services, All In features songs interspersed with personal stories from guest speakers on a unique theme, and at every performance, a free will offering is collected to support BANDWITH CHICAGO.
Founded in 2015, BandWith is a Chicago-based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide lasting access to high quality music and performing arts instruction to underserved Chicago communities. Beginning in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, Bandwith is now providing free access to programs around dance, drumline, instrumental, choral ensemble and sound engineering activities.
To catch highlights from some of our Words & Music performances, click on the videos below:
Everyone is invited to sing, play, and worship with All In. The group rehearses on Thursdays from 7:15 – 8:45PM in Plymouth Hall. To get involved or learn more, contact Ray Klemchuk.
Youth Choirs
The Alleluia Choir is a thriving and growing component of the music program for children at First Congregational Church of Western Springs. The Alleluia Choir consists of singers in elementary school (kindergarten through 5th grade). The choir sings in worship three to four times throughout the school year and rehearse on Sunday mornings.
The singers strive to build skills as musicians and ensemble members. They greatly enjoy sharing their music and lively energy with family, the congregation, and community members. Children are welcome to join at any time during the year.
Youth in middle school and high school will have opportunities throughout the year to participate in choral singing.
Please contact Youth Choir Director Lauren Reynolds at lauren.e.reynolds98@gmail.com for more information.
Lord of the Ringers
The children’s handchime choir (affectionately named Lord of the Ringers, LotR) is made up of 1st – 6th graders with a love of music. Under the direction of KC Congdon, the group rehearses during the school year on Monday afternoons from 4:05 – 4:45PM. They perform monthly, on the same Sundays as the Adult Tower Chimes choir. New ringers are always welcome.
To learn more, contact Mrs. KC at kcongdon@wscongo.org.
Please note, musical knowledge or skills is not necessary (or expected), for many children, LOTR’s is their first exposure to learning an instrument.
KC is the artistic director for both The Agape Ringers (Western Springs) as well as for Bells in Motion (Springfield). She started ringing bells at age 13 and began directing at the tender age of 17. In addition to directing two handbell choirs for St. Matthews UCC in Wheaton, KC teaches piano in Wheaton and Lexington, accompanies the local high school choir and rescues wildlife.
Adult Tower Chimes
Handbell Choir rehearses Thursdays from 9:30 – 11AM starting in September and makes monthly appearances in worship from October through April. Periodically, they perform at Plymouth Place and make other guest appearances around town. New members are accepted throughout the year. Prior ringing experience is not necessary but one must be able to read music.
The choir is directed by KC Congdon. KC became the Artistic Director of The Agape Ringers (Western Springs) in 2019 and the Artistic Director for Bells in Motion (Springfield) in 2012. She started ringing bells at age 13 and began directing at the tender age of 17. In addition to directing two handbell choirs for St. Matthews UCC in Wheaton, KC teaches piano in Wheaton and Lexington, accompanies the local high school choir, and is a substitute teacher. Email KC at kccongdon@wscongo.org.
Take a moment to listen to the Community Voices interview with Bells In Motion, the handbell choir directed by KC Congdon and Emcee David Congdon, about the musicianship needed to participate. They also shared how the group got its start and what it takes to set up bells and play them.