Director of Music Don Krehbiel announces retirement

With mixed emotions, we announce that Don Krehbiel, our distinguished Director of Music, will be retiring in May 2024 after 33 years of serving our church. While we are sad to see Don go, we honor his contribution to the growth of our community through his excellence and leadership of our music engagements in the church. 

Since 1989, Don has shared his outstanding talents with First Church, where he leads a diverse program of both amateur and professional musicians and directs two adult choirs. Though Don might seem irreplaceable, we are confident that we will find the right person to take on the role he has so expertly held for decades. 

A hiring team has been formed led by former Board Chair David Schulze, and including church members Margaret Moore, Stuart Owen, Rosana Eckert, and Jenani Tzhone. The hiring team will conduct a national search, ideally resulting in two or more auditions including meeting with staff, members of the choirs, rehearsal with choirs, and a Sunday participating in worship early in 2024. The hiring team will make a recommendation based on feedback they receive and their comparative experiences to Rev. Daniel Kanter, who hopes to make a hire by April or May of 2024.

We are excited to have a full year to celebrate and honor Don before his departure. Please join us in sending Don good wishes as he prepares for his well-deserved retirement.