An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ
Music Ministry
Music is one of the many ways through which people access the Divine, and the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury has a long and proud tradition of music, both in our worship services and for other church and community events. Our Music Ministry offers a wide range of opportunities for participants of all ages. Sing in a choir, ring bells, or play an instrument in one of our musical groups.
For more information about any of our programs, please contact Curtis Smith, Director of Music at musicdirector@fccsm.org or the church office at (508) 845-7286.
SING
FCC has choir opportunities for children through adults, at all levels of ability and experience. Our dedicated groups of volunteer singers regularly present music in worship from September through June, as well as for special services.
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OUR INSTRUMENTS
The church is blessed with a collection of beautiful musical instruments. Here are some of our most important.
RING
Handbells enhance the musical experience of worship. Many hands coming together to blend single notes into one piece of music adds color and beauty to the service, and FCC has handbell and chime playing choirs for school-age children and adults.
PLAY
Do you play an instrument? FCC has opportunities for church and community members to play in worship, either as a soloist or in ensembles – or just come to jam with our monthly group or at one of our coffee houses!
Music Internship
We encourage the development of young musicians in our church and community. In a day and age when many churches suffer from dwindling numbers of adults with musical skills and experience, our church can make a difference! To that end, the Music Committee designates youth on a yearly basis for internships. Internships recognize musical excellence and foster youth leadership in the Music Ministry. Several interns have gone on to professional careers in music, and many continue to practice music in their lives well beyond their college days and into adulthood, many times in church settings.
Contact Director of Music, Curtis Smith, if you are interested in knowing more about our internship program.
Arts on the Green music outreach series
As an historic center of spiritual growth, First Congregational Church supports the important role that the arts play in the development of cultural awareness, appreciation for aesthetics, character development, and the formation of social and spiritual values.
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Presented in conjunction with the Worcester Cultural Coalition, Arts on the Green is a series of artistic displays put forward by First Congregational Church to make possible a richer and broader experience of the performing arts for the Town of Shrewsbury and other local communities.
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View the 2024-2025 season
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Stowe Music Scholarship
The Music Ministry at First Congregational Church is excited to announce a music scholarship in honor of Florence Stowe.
Florence was a long-time member of First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury and participated faithfully in the Senior Choir and other special music events. She also performed and taught music extensively in the Central Massachusetts area and passed on her love of music to many people. Upon her passing in February of 2025, she gave a financial gift to First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury. It is with this gift that the Stowe Music Scholarship was established in May of 2025.