MADISON — The new director of musical arts at the Presbyterian Church of Madison has the versatility the church needs to blend the traditional and contemporary music featured in its worship services.
The director, Anna D’Achille, leads choral activities at Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest and her bachelor’s in music education from Moravian College is concentrated in classical piano. She also has religious music experience, having previously served as organist and music director at both the Church of the Saviour in Denville and First Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dover.
In short, D’Achille’s range made her the ideal leader for the singers and musicians who comprise the musical worship team at the Presbyterian Church of Madison.
“Anna brings a wealth of talent, knowledge and leadership to our worship team,” said the Rev. Scott Foster, pastor of PCM. “She comes to us immersed in understanding classic traditional church music and hymns and how to integrate praise music as we develop a holistic and blended worship style for the church of today.”
Foster further described D’Achille as an “amazing singer, pianist and organ player,” adding, “We’re blessed to have her.”
In her day job as director of choral activities at Northern Valley, D’Achille leads ensembles, teaches classes, directs music for the spring musical and plans competitions, community performances and trips. Previously, she was the school’s choir director; in that role, she led students as they accompanied Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in their performance during the halftime show of Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J.
At PCM, D’Achille selects music for services, sings, plays piano and organ and leads the choir and praise band. As she begins her new role, she’s impressed by the talents and dedication of the musical worship team.
“I am so excited to be a part of PCM,” said D’Achille, who described the congregation as warm and welcoming. “My hope is to establish a strong music worship that pays respect to the traditions of music in the church, while also incorporating the more modern direction that liturgical music has taken recently.”
D’Achille, who lives in Springfield, is looking to grow her worship team. In particular, she’d like to add singers to the choir, which rehearses Thursday nights at the church and Sunday mornings before the weekly service. If interested, please contact her at anna.achille@gmail.com.
The vision of PCM—the oldest church in Madison—is to see lives transformed, families strengthened and its community renewed through intentional relationship with Jesus Christ. Its congregation, which welcomes new members through a “no strings attached” orientation led by Foster, worships Sundays at 10:15 a.m. For more information click here.
