We at First†Metropolitan are especially proud of our Music Ministry. Services typically include the best of classical music as well as the newest hymns coming out of our church tradition. Hymns include old favourites and songs of celebration from other countries.
Accompanied by an Allen 4-manual digital organ, music soars to the heavens each Sunday morning.
Choir and global musicians singing at Epiphany Explorations
Music can serve to uplift and inspire us as we explore the very nature of God. Under the leadership of Frances Pollet, the choir sings a broad range of sacred music from classical to modern. Some members also accompany the anthems on bassoon, flute, tambourine and wind chimes. More tenors and basses would definitely be welcomed!
Highlights of the year are participating at the monthly Taizé services with other downtown churches, singing at Presbytery-wide concerts in massed United Church choirs and at local care homes during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
Choir Practice is 7:00 p.m. Thursday evenings in the Social Suite. Long-term visitors to the Victoria area are invited to join us for practices and our Sunday Worship while away from their home churches!
First Metropolitan United Vocal EnsembleThis ensemble conducted by Fran Pollet is already well-known for its renditions of traditional hymns, spirituals and folk songs which they have performed during church services and at Epiphany Explorations. The ensemble has released a CD titled When the Stars Fall, available at a cost of $15 from the church office.
The members of the Pringle Bell ensemble, under the leadership of Frances Pollet, meet for practice on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
These talented folk occasionally play during the 11:00 a.m. service or accompany the choral anthems four times a year in the Holy seasons of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Lent and Easter.
They also greatly enjoy playing for other events and are delighted to have acquired a four-octave set of Schulmerich hand bells.
Celtic spirituality challenges the spirit and soothes the soul.
On the first Friday of the month from October to May, First†Metropolitan United Church offers a Celtic Vespers service in the chapel. This is a quiet, meditative service of prayer and song. The service is based on the resources of the Iona Community and uses Gaelic melodies.
Celtic Christianity: Island Pilgrims, based in Victoria, BC, are dedicated to deepen our own knowledge of all aspects of Celtic Christianity and to share its rich heritage with others.
Frances Pollet’s goal is “to reach the highest levels of performance standards in a variety of choral repertoire.” This goal is expressed in the artistry of the church choir, the Pringle Bells and the First†Metropolitan United Vocal Ensemble. In addition, she and the First†Met Music Team inivte a variety of guest artists, from within the congregation and in the community, to participate in worship and music events.
Fran has been Minister of Music and Organist at First†Metropolitan for several years. Previously, Fran was Director of Music at St. Matthias Church for 18 years, Music Director for Grassroots Theatre Company for seven years, and coordinated and directed the Empress Hotel’s Christmas festivities for an equal length of time. In 2007, she resigned as music director of the Linden Singers, the choir she helped found.
Most recently, Fran has introduced and led monthly Celtic worship sessions based on the liturgy and music developed by the Iona Community at First†Metropolitan. Fran is very well-known and respected in the Victoria music scene and is an executive member of Music United (formerly the United Church of Canada Association of Musicians), a diverse association of people passionately committed to furthering the cause of music within the United Church of Canada.
For Children aged 8 and up. Join Us!
Date: Tuesday afternoons
Time(s): 3:45–4:30 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church
A children’s choir offers children aged 8 and up an opportunity to sing. Co-sponsored by the Music Team and Children and Families Ministry, this program is led by Brenda Harvey, a much-loved music educator. The new season begins September 15.
Date: July 13, 2010
Time(s): 7:30 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Sanctuary
Once again, we will host wonderful choirs who are participating in the bi-annual Kathaumixw International Choir Festival held in Powell River. Groups include New Zealand Students’ Choir, a young female choir from Finland and an exciting mixed adult choir from the Czech Republic. Billets are needed for the Tuesday night (July 13). Supper, breakfast and a packed lunch are needed for each billet. A signup sheet is posted in the concourse. Contact Mary Kenderdine or Fran Pollet if you can assist with billeting. Tickets for the concert are $15 and $10 for the unwaged and will be available through the church office in late June.This is a major fundraiser for the Music Team.
Date: July 18 to 22, 2010, Concert with Linden Singers, July 20, 2010
Time(s): Concert 1:00 pm on July 20
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Sanctuary
The Pipes Around the Pacific Festival, the annual conference of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, will bring together some top notch organ recitalists in the world to perform on Victoria’s best instruments. Venues for the conference include many local churches, including First Metropolitan United Church. Five public concerts are included and new compositions will be premiered. The event festival offerings include Rosemary Laing, the provincial carilloneur giving a concert on the carillon Sunday, July 18, 3 pm outside the Royal BC Museum. Linden Singers will be heard in concert at First Met on July 20 at 1:00 pm. The program will feature a new work by Larry Nickel using poetry of Chief Dan George.Some 20 volunteers from First Met are assisting in the various events for the festival. Tickets for festival events can be ordered by downloading a copy of the order form and mailing it along with your payment to the conference registrar.