Kirk Choir

 

Organized in 1731, First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, is a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation whose shared ministries of worship, education, mission, and fellowship are intended to serve God and neighbor. Music is both a central part of its worship service and a vital part of its outreach. The forty-voice Kirk Choir, its primary adult choral group, sings regularly at Sunday morning services.

The Kirk Choir's repertoire is taken from the traditional canon of church music but is quite diversified within that tradition, ranging from the pre‑Baroque to twentieth century.  Under the direction of Ricard Bordas since 2003, the Kirk Choir has performed an impressive selection of anthems and liturgical music as well as larger works such as Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat, Rutter’s Gloria, Saint‑Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, Vaughan‑Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, and Pinkam’s Christmas Cantata. Since 2006, the Kirk Choir has been accompanied by Dr. JeeYoon Choi, First (Scots)’s Senior Organist and Director of Music.

Within the past decade, the Kirk Choir has offered a number of memorable concerts, including a presentation of Arvo Pärt’s “Te Deum” and Vaughn‑Williams’ “Serenade to Music” in the 1998 Spotlight Series of Piccolo Spoleto. In 2000, it sang two Bach cantatas, Weichet nur (BWV 202) and Wer mich liebet (BWV 74), in a joint service with the Fort Worth Early Music Ensemble. In 2004, the Kirk Choir toured Hungary, leading worship services and presenting concerts in several cities, including Budapest and Debrecen. In 2008, it presented a program entitled “A Festival of Psalms” in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival of Churches Series.

Several members of the Kirk Choir have sung or now sing with other local groups, including the Charleston Symphony Singers’ Guild, the Charleston Renaissance Ensemble, the Mepkin Abbey Vocal Arts Ensemble, and Vox Aeterna.

Photo on this page by Sherman Hayes.