Feature Friday 2.7.2025: First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, Music Director, Organist, K. Bryan Kirk
The Glens Falls Symphony is grateful to First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls for hosting this great orchestra at our next performance on Sunday, March 16, 2025, 4pm, as the 2024-25 season of Music, Movement and Memory continues on!
This Feature Friday the symphony is thrilled to feature First Presbyterian Church, along with their Music Director, Organist and GFS Partner and Gala Chair, K. Bryan Kirk. The symphony had a chance to catch up with Bryan, in his 20th anniversary year at the church! We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview where Bryan takes us through the amazing history between First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, and YOUR Glens Falls Symphony.
Bio: K. Bryan Kirk has served as Music Director and Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls since January 2005. A graduate of New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Bryan leads an extensive graded music program, presents a variety of concerts and is very active in the musical community, serving as President of the Glens Falls Symphony from 2008-2010. He performs frequently in other venues and teaches piano and organ, in addition to composing works for our church and other choral groups.
GFS: Bryan, can you please share some history between First Presbyterian and the GFS
BK: There is quite a long history between the First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls and the Glens Falls Symphony, as Hugh Allen Wilson (1925-2010) was Music Director here at the church for a total of 36 years, retiring in 2004, and concurrently, conductor of the GFS in the 1980s, retiring in 2001.
Concerts by the GFS have been held here occasionally for many years, and with the unique combination of a beautiful setting and superb instruments, it is a venue looked forward to by patrons, unequalled by any other in the Capital District.
Since my arrival here in 2005, we have presented the Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony, concertos by Boëllmann, Handel and Poulenc, organ and brass programs involving GFSO brass players, and other works combining organ and other instruments.
We have also done several Baroque programs using the GFS-owned Harpsichord, piano concertos utilizing our Steinway Concert Grand, numerous chamber music concerts, and other programs to highlight GFS musicians here.
I have regularly invited GFS players to play special music in our worship services several times each year, and work with them to present occasional benefit concerts here and elsewhere in the area, enhancing the connection between the Symphony and the Church.
GFS: What can GFS patrons look forward to while experiencing a symphony performance in this magnificent Sanctuary?
The church’s Sanctuary provides a beautiful setting for any music, sacred or secular, and we are blessed with good acoustics, whether for a small program, symphony or big organ concert. The space provides a wonderful inspiration to those who play, and to those who come see and hear concerts, as well as weekly services. Attendees will be able to hear every note clearly, and the use of the church’s two Steinway grand pianos will add an enriching dimension to the sounds for this special March 16 program, which we are honored to host.
GFS: Please share about First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls Concerts
BK: This is our Concerts Facebook page (separate from the church’s FB page), which I created more than ten years ago. On this page, we post and highlight all Beeman Organ Concerts (annual), as well as concerts by other groups such as the Symphony, Madrigals, chamber music, area music students, special worship services, tours, benefits, and other community events happening here.
GFS: Where can GFS patrons go to find more information on First Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls Concerts?
BK: Visit the church's website at fpcgf.org.
For upcoming concert information, visit fpcgf.org/concerts.
Explore more about our organs, pianos, and harpsichord, as well as church history, services, ministries, activities, and more on the Music pages of our website!
Follow us:
Facebook: Like our FPCGF Concerts Facebook page by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/FPCGFConcerts/
YouTube: Subscribe to our FPCGF Concerts YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPAp5KLhF6CABx56TuxlEQg
There are videos to watch on our YouTube channel showing various portions of the organs, the piano and harpsichord, along with short “behind the scenes” tours and a Christmas Organ Concert. For further information, contact Bryan Kirk, Music Director and Organist, by email: kbkirk@fpcgf.org or phone: 518-793-2521, ext. 217
About the Glens Falls Symphony Concert:
American Pianist Chris Reynolds with The Glens Falls Symphony and
Youth Piano Students from the Capital District Council for Young Musicians
Music Director – Charles Peltz
Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 4pm
FREE pre-concert talk at 3pm
First Presbyterian Church
400 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
This concert is General Admission
Adults $33
Student/Child $12
Click Here to Purchase Tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36232/production/1211827?performanceId=11516465
or Purchase by Phone: 518.793.1348 / M-F 10am-4pm (Visa, Mastercard and Amex)