Music Program at First Baptist Church of Penfield
Historically, one of the values we cherish about our Baptist tradition is music. It is a vital part of worship at First Baptist Penfield where singing resounds and is strengthened by the organ specially built for the sanctuary. The congregation enjoys the blend of words and music in our Sunday experience and the way it expands and enhances the message and lessons presented there. Over the years we have enjoyed a connection with the Eastman School of Music that is located nearby in Rochester, and the talented students who have helped provide music in our church. In 2011 the choir debuted a piece of music commissioned to celebrate the 25 th anniversary of the installation of our Andover Organ, I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes by an Eastman graduate, Scott Perkins.
Music is very alive and well here and all are welcome to join the fun of ringing and singing. We rehearse and participate in worship September through May with a break over the summer.
Wednesdays
Adult Choir–7:30 pm, Sanctuary
Thursdays
Adult Bell Choir–6:30 pm, Choir Room
Caroline Duers is a second-year soprano pursuing a BM at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Dr. Jonathan Retzlaff. Originally from Storrs, Connecticut, Caroline
was raised on a foundation of church hymns and school choral activities. She has trained classically for 7 years thus far and has competed and placed
nationally as a soloist as well as an ensemble member in various organizations (NAFME, ACDA, Schmidt, WNO, etc.) She has worked professionally
with the Cathedral Schola Cantorum at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford, CT. Caroline participates in the Eastman Collegium Musicum, an early music
ensemble, and will be performing in Winter of 2022 in the school's production of La Calisto. She is thrilled to be working with the First Baptist Church of
Penfield's choir and is delighted to meet the congregation.
Samantha Sosa is a Venezuelan soprano and third-year undergraduate student at the Eastman School of Music. She studies with Professor Katherine Ciesinski and is
pursuing her BM in Vocal Performance. She has been a finalist in two international competitions this past year. The Classical Singer International Vocal
Competition as a musical theater finalist and the Opera Viva competition. She performs early music with the Eastman Collegium and freelances as a jazz
vocalist. You can see her perform next in Eastman Opera Theatre's fall double bill as the Littler Daughter in the opera Proving Up on November 4th and
6th. She is honored to be able to sing at the First Baptist Church of Penfield every week and is excited to meet everyone.
David Griffith is a second-year tenor at the Eastman School of Music from Syracuse, NY. He has sang in church choir since age 6, and also enjoyed performing in theater
since he was young as well. David studies with Professor Robert Swensen at Eastman and is very eager to continue to pursue music in the future. Aside
from music, David enjoys golf, movies and nature. He is so happy to meet everyone at the First Baptist Church of Penfield, and is excited to sing with the
choir.
Jason Rober (bass) is a new graduate student at the Eastman School of Music, originally coming from New Paltz, New York. He first studied Music Education at SUNY
Fredonia, before deciding to study voice here in Rochester, with Professor Jan Opalach. Jason loves the choral repertoire, and is exceedingly content
when singing church music. Aside from the realm of music, he adores hiking, whether it be in his hometown, or wherever else he can find a hill. Jason
also takes pride in his vegetarian cooking, and loves to offer his friends a luscious chili or a zesty quesadilla. He is very much looking forward to
becoming acquainted with the congregation in Penfield.
Choral Soloists
Music News
Join the First Baptist Penfield Choir!
Contact Dr. Naomi Gregory, choir director, for details..
