First Presbyterian Church Choirs

The Choir of First Church is an adult choir comprised of dedicated volunteer and professional singers from the greater Pittsburgh area. The choir sings two anthems each Sunday and presents special worship services and concerts during the program year. Teenagers who are serious about making music are also welcome to sing with the choir.

Rehearsals are held from September to June on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the choir loft. Basic musical ability and the willingness to commit are important in this choir. Repertoire is mostly classical and spans from early Renaissance motets to contemporary works and spirituals.

The Children's Choir—kindergartners through sixth graders—sings periodically throughout the year. Rehearsals are Sundays at noon in the third-floor choir room.

Tuesday Boost for Pittsburgh

During the Tuesday Boost services held from September through May, an adult choral group leads this informal mid-week service. The singers rehearse from noon to 12:20 p.m. with the service starting at 12:25 p.m. each Tuesday. There is ample room for additional singers and special music at Tuesday Boost for Pittsburgh. 

Music Director of First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh

Anne Smith was born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in nearby Upper St. Clair throughout her youth. She began studying piano at age 7, and sang in the youth choir at Westminster. Encouraged by her teacher, William C. Evans, to try her piano songs on Westminster’s Austin organ, she began playing the organ in 5th grade. By high school, Anne was serving as the director of music at Dormont United Methodist Church, where she played for weekly services and conducted the choir.

She pursued a bachelor of music in music education at Northwestern University and studied organ with Douglas Cleveland and Margaret Kemper. While at Northwestern, Anne served as the director of music for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, where she established an outreach music program that provided members of the community with free music lessons taught by Northwestern undergraduates.

After graduation, Anne taught music and fine arts at three Chicago area public schools and immensely enjoyed sharing the joy of music with young people. For the past year, Anne has served God and the congregation of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Des Plaines, Illinois, as the director of music.

Anne is extremely excited to have the opportunity to return to Pittsburgh and feels honored to serve God through music at First Presbyterian Church.

In addition to music, Anne enjoys roller blading, white water rafting, hiking and cooking. Anne and her husband, Andy, live in Mt. Lebanon with their dog, Misty.

Contact Information:  

For additional information or to volunteer your time and talent, you may contact Anne at 412-471-3436, ext. 17, or e-mail at asmith@fpcp.org.