Monty Bieber holds both a Bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education and a
Master's Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.
He taught music in the Big Rapids, Michigan, public schools before embarking
on a career in database systems. He is currently a National Practice Partner
with the Teradata Division of NCR Corp. Monty served First Christian as Director
of Music from 1983 to 1993 and returned to the position in 2003.
First Christian Church is dedicated to providing quality music that enhances our corporate worship experience. During special times of the year, our music program is supplemented with student musicians from Michigan State University.
The Adult Choir provides anthems and encourages congregational singing in our traditional worship service. Iit also provides special music during the Christmas and Easter seasons. Musical styles range from Baroque to contemporary. In 2001 the choir joined two other area choirs and a chamber orchestra to perform John Rutter’s Requiem, and in 2002 it performed Vivaldi's Gloria with the choir of Pilgrim Congregational Church and chamber orchestra. The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings (September-May) at 7:30 p.m..
The Praise Band was created in 1998 to lead congregational singing in our contemporary worship service; it consists of singers and a small instrumental ensemble that includes keyboard, guitar, bass, and percussion. The Praise Team performs a variety of contemporary Christian music designed to appeal to an inter-generational congregation. The Team rehearses under the leadership of Ty Schalter on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m.