Abington Presbyterian Church is both a center for worship and a place for the exchange of ideas and cultural opportunities for the community, a tangible symbol of God's presence in our everyday activities.  Music has long played an important role in the life of this church.

There are two children's choirs, a youth choir, and an adult choir which doubles as a community chorus for major works, three bell choirs, and the Abington Symphony Orchestra.

 
 

MUSIC DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL

John Sall, Director of Music Ministries 
jsall@apcusa.org
 

John  holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College where he majored in Church Music and Organ.  He came to Abington in 2001, after serving as the Director of Music at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota. He was also the Music Director and Conductor for the Buffalo, Minnesota, Community Orchestra, directing a 60-member ensemble and developing a concert season for the community He has oversight of our music program, including congregational music, the choirs, and the Abington Symphony Orchestra.  John has distinguished himself as one of the fine young composers in the country. He was the Grand Prize winner in the First Annual Composition Contest for Young Composers, Riverside Church, New York. His anthem, "Is Not the Fast That I Choose," is composed for choir, organ and string quartet. John is a member of the American Guild of Organists and is president of the Rochester Area Chapter of the Choristers Guild. John's wife, Ruth, a soprano, contributes her magnificent voice to our choirs as a soloist. Their daughter. Lily, was born in 1999.

Janice B. Kemp, Director of Children's Choirs

Janice directs both the Chime and Crusader Choirs.   At Germantown Academy she teaches general music to fourth and fifth graders, directs the Lower School Choir, and is Head of the Performing Arts Department. Before moving the Pennsylvania, Janice and her family lived in Nashville, TN and Arlington, TX.  While in Nashville she taught AP Music History at Montgomery Bell Academy and directed the Children’s Choirs at Westminster Presbyterian Church.  In Arlington she taught music to children in Kindergarten through sixth grade in the Arlington Independent School District, while also directing the Children’s Choirs at First Presbyterian Church. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from The University of North Texas and a Master of Music Education and Kodaly Certificate from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Janice has appeared as soloist in performances of Schubert’s “Mass in G”, Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”, Bach’s “St. John Passion” and Handel’s “Messiah”. She and her husband, Michael, have three grown children, Todd (and his wife Amy), Brad and Erin – all musicians.  Besides teaching, Janice loves to read and cook (in the summer and on holidays!).

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The Chime Choir is for our youngest singers, beginning in Kindergarten and extending through second grade. The children in this choir sing seven times a year, presenting the "introit", and a special presentation at Christmas and in the spring.  Rehearsals: Wednesdays 4:00 - 4:45 under the direction of Janice Kemp.

The Technicolor Promise (Allen Pote)	The Crusader Choir is for children from third through sixth grades. In addition to singing once a month in the worship service, this choir participates in the annual multi-choir Christmas at Candlelight services, as well as presenting a Christian musical each spring.  Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00 under the direction of Janice Kemp.

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CHAPEL CHOIR

The Chapel Choir is for students in grades 7 through 12. In addition to serving as the featured choir each Sunday in our early service, this choir tours every Memorial Day weekend.  This tour is partially sponsored by members of the Abington congregation.  Rehearsals: Sunday evenings 6:00 - 7:30 under the direction of John Sall, Director of Music Ministries.

The 50-voice Chancel Choir is open to those college-aged and up. In addition to serving as the featured choir in the late service each Sunday, this choir forms the core of the ORATORIO CHOIR.  Rehearsals: Thursday evenings at 7:30 under the direction of John Sall.

The musical community surrounding Abington Church is invited to join the CHANCEL CHOIR to present at least two major works each season as a part of the Music at Abington series. In addition, the two Christmas vespers services, Christmas by Candlelight,  feature the combined choirs and orchestra in a worship experience of beauty and majesty.  Rehearsals: As announced.

BELL CHOIRS

The Festive Ringers at the 2005 Tour final concert              Crusader Bells.  Grades 5-6, Rehearsals Wednesday,  6:05-6:35 pm. Festive Ringers.  Grades 7 - 12.  Rehearsals: Monday, 7:30 pm. Jubilee Ringers.   Adults.  Rehearsals: Wednesday, 7:00 pm. Celebration Ringers.  Advanced adults.  Thursday evening, 6:15 pm  Sally Bowie directs the  bell choirs.  For more information, call her at, 215-576-7746

 

MUSIC AT ABINGTON

Music at Abington is a concert series that features all of our choirs and the community-based Abington Symphony Orchestra, as well as guest soloists, chamber groups, concert choirs, and symphony orchestras.  The purpose of Music at Abington remains to "glorify God and refresh the soul" (Bach).

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