Choirs and Handbell Guilds
There are comprehensive choral and handbell groups for
all ages. Through a planned system of graded choirs,
participants are taught the importance of music in Christian
worship. Members are trained in the liturgy of this parish
church becoming familiar with the enduring hymns of the
Church as well as ecclesiastical choral and instrumental
music.
 For children, youth and adults without a musical background,
instruction in the rudiments of music is taught through the
various choirs and handbell ensembles. Children's youth and
handbell choirs rehearse from September to the end of April.
The Sanctuary Choir rehearses and sings year-round with the
exception of three weeks in August. The music program at St.
Stephen is led by
Mark Scott, Minister of Music & Organist. Sanctuary
Choir (Adults)
Rehearses each Thursday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and Sunday
mornings from 10:25-10:45 a.m., Adult
Choir Room, Year round, with a 2 week holiday in August.
Average enrollment: 45-50 singers The
Sanctuary Choir
is an all volunteer group - no one is paid to sing.
Requirements are a pleasant singing voice with great
emphasis on ability to blend with the ensemble. Sopranos
must be able to sing with a straight tone, almost without
vibrato. All singers are expected to participate fully in
all events for which the choir is scheduled to sing.
Repertoire includes standard classical choral music from
plainsong to recently composed music. This group provides
musical leadership at numerous events throughout the season
in addition to the 11:00 a.m.
Worship Service. They do not sing concerts, rather, many
special worship services are scheduled throughout the year
at which they sing. The music which will be sung is detailed
in the annual music schedule available from the music
office. It covers a 13-month period from September and is
published in July of each year.
Cherub Choir (3 yrs. old - Kindergarten)
Rehearses each Thursday from 4:15-5:00 p.m., September
to May, in Room 223 of the Education Building. Average
enrollment: 10 singers
Basic instruction in music including recognition of musical
signs and symbols; study of church symbols; "singing"
repertoire is taken exclusively from Presbyterian Hymnal -
learning the first verses of many hymns - plus a few
"silly-songs." Our aim is to acquaint each child with the
hymns and service music of the church so that when they do
begin to sit with their parents in church there are
"anchors" throughout the service which are familiar to them
and in which they can participate, even if it means singing
the first verse of a hymn four or five times as the rest of
the congregation sings the different printed verses. This
group sings at the Advent Lessons and Carols Service, Easter
Lessons and Carols Service, and 2-3 times per year in the
11:00 a.m.
Worship Service. Bethlehem Choir (1st grade - 3rd
grade)
Rehearses on Tuesday or Wednesday, 4:15-5:00 p.m.,
September to May, Room 223 of the Education Building.
Average enrollment: 10 singers
Rehearses with the Junior Choir (4th & 5th grade). Group
meets twice each week to give parents a choice of which day
to bring their children. This group sings in the 11:00 a.m.
Worship Service about seven times per season. Repertoire
consists mainly of hymns and service music from the
Presbyterian Hymnal. They also participate in Advent Lessons
and Carols Service, Easter Lessons and Carols Service, as
well as an annual musical production held prior to spring
break.
Junior Choir (4th & 5th grade)
Rehearses Tuesday or Wednesday, 4:15-5:00 p.m.,
September to May, Room 223 of the Education Building.
Average enrollment: 10 singers
Rehearses with the Bethlehem Choir (grades 1, 2, and 3).
Group meets twice each week to give parents a choice of
which day to bring their children. This group sings in the
11:00 a.m.
Worship Service about seven times per season.
Their repertoire consists mainly of hymns and service music
from the Presbyterian Hymnal. They also participate in
Advent Lessons and Carols Service, Easter Lessons and Carols
Service, as well as an annual musical production held prior
to spring break.
Youth Choir (6th grade - 12th grade)
Rehearses Sunday, 5:15-6:15 p.m., September to May,
Room 223 of the Education Building. Average enrollment: 15
singers
Meets prior to youth fellowship meetings each week and sings
a very wide selection of music from traditional choral
anthems and hymns to contemporary lighter music. This groups
provides the readers for the lessons in both the Advent
Lessons and Carols Service and the Easter Lessons and Carols
service annually. They sing in the 11:00 a.m.
Worship Service about eight times per season. The speaking and
acting parts of the annual pre-spring break musical are
assigned to members of this choir.
St. Gregory Handbell Guild (5th - 12th grades)
Rehearses Sunday, 4:00-5:00 p.m., September to May,
Adult Choir Room. Average enrollment: 9 bell ringers
Similar to the Youth Choir, this bell choir meets weekly
prior to Youth Choir rehearsal. Plays in church about three
times per season plus a concert/demonstration each spring.
St. Swithun Handbell Guild (Adults)
Rehearses Tuesday, 6:00-6:45 p.m., September to May,
Adult Choir Room. Average enrollment: 9 bell ringers
Plays 3-4 times per year in the 11:00 a.m.
Worship Service.
Repertoire includes a variety of music from pop tunes to
hymns.
St. Columba Guild (7th - 12th grades)
Provides personnel for carrying the two processional
crosses, the processional banner, Holy Bible, and torches in
each week's 11:00 a.m.
Worship Service, as well as
for all special services needing a processional and a
recessional. Both females and males serve in this capacity.
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