Sundays
10:00 AM
Robert Littlefield has been associated with First Parish Church for 42 years. Besides his duties as organist and choir director, he also teaches numerous private organ and piano students. Additionally, Robert is the accompanist for Chorus North Shore and Portsmouth Pro Musica.
Robert has presented many organ recitals over the years at such places as Arlington Street Church, King’s Chapel, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hammond Castle, Portland Maine City Hall, and Methuen Music Hall. In 1993, he gave a recital at Jesus College in Cambridge, England. Read More >>
Music is an essential part of First Parish. Under the direction of Robert Littlefield, First Parish enjoys outstanding music during both regular Sunday services and special holiday services. Rehearsals are held two Thursdays monthly at 7:30 and an 8:45 warm-up on Sundays when the choir sings.
From a musical perspective, First Parish is uniquely blessed with a sanctuary featuring excellent acoustics and a visually beautiful pipe organ. The choir at First Parish sings for Sunday service twice a month as well as for all major holiday services. The choir is 18 members strong, with a good balance amongst all four sections. Four professional singers lead each section to provide a solid choral sound.
Sunday services when the choir is not singing still feature excellent musical offerings provided by soloists and ensembles. Robert and/or a guest musician may perform piano or instrumental works. Section leaders from the choir may offer arias or duets. Talented members of the congregation will present pieces by a variety of composers. The music covers a full range of styles from folk to opera, classical to jazz, and spirituals to requiem masses.
Kathryn Lordan’s new CD, “Following My Bliss” is out!
Click here to listen to her version of ‘Amazing Grace’
At First Parish children ages 5 – 16 have the opportunity to sing in a choir. They sing ten times throughout the year and rehearse about twice a month at 11:15 on Sundays.
The popular Community Music Concerts are coordinated by Robert Littlefield and usually hosted by First Parish. In December, the First Parish choir joins other Beverly church choirs to present the Christmas portion of the Messiah. On Good Friday, the combined church choirs perform Mozart’s Requiem. These events provide the members of the local church choirs the opportunity to sing these popular works with a large group of fellow musicians and an orchestra. Over 300 members of the greater Beverly community attend these events.
