Music

Music commands a place of importance at Old First and is one of the gifts we share with the community during special Christmas and Easter services — and every Sunday during worship.

Guest countertenor Jeffrey Mandelbaum, ca 2014. Photo: OF Archives

Our pianist and organist Aleeza Meir is an celebrated classical performer and accompanist who provides an exceptional array of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and other music in our worship services. Additionally, we regularly welcome guest and member musicians—often professionals who belong to our local community — to share their musical gifts during our services, including bluegrass, opera, and jazz soloists, instrumentalists and ensembles.

Old First has two exceptional instruments: a Roosevelt organ and Steinway grand piano, which were installed when the church was built and are in fine playing condition today. Organ music has been a part of Reformed worship from its earliest days. Our magnificent three-manual organ is a superb, late 19th century Roosevelt, built for our specific site, and installed in 1891. The specifications for the instrument are available on the New York City Organ Project website. Our Steinway concert grand piano dates from 1888 and is used extensively for concerts as well as worship.

Piano, Aleeza
1888 Steinway Grand Piano ca 2008 pre sanctuary restoration. Photo: OF Archives/JHB
1891 Roosevelt Pipe Organ console (updated since). Photo: OF Archives
Organ loft above sanctuary, ca 2008. Photo: OF Archives/JHB
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Bluegrass musicians Jen Larson and Michael Daves ca 2014. Photo: OF Archives/JHB
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Bilger Family Band with Michael Daves perform during Sunday service ca 2010. Photo: OF Archives/JHB