THE
CHOIRS AT ST. PETER'S
"Our work is our worship"
Organist and Choirmaster: Dr. Martha Niepold Johnson
Associate Organist/Choirmaster: Dr. Bruce W. Glenny
"Come sing, ye choirs exultant !"
The Choirs of St. Peter's offer a participation opportunity for every age and degree of musical expertise. Members of our choirs serve a vital role as supporters, leaders, and teachers for the congregation in both spoken and sung portions of the Eucharist.
The autumn of each new year brings the start-up of choir rehearsals, and a chance for parishioners who are not currently singing to consider participating in one of our ensembles. The choirs that lead our Sunday morning worship provide a diversity of style, skills and schedule.
A Description of our Choirs
- Leads the worship at our Family Eucharist each Sunday, September to June, at 9:00 a.m., as well as at a few special services during the year.
- This choir is especially convenient for very busy people, with rehearsals every other week.
- We concentrate on new hymns and service music, lead the psalm singing and prepare a variety of easy anthems.
- Open to all singers who can match pitches.
- Rehearsals: 7:30-8:30 p.m. every other Thursday in the choir room - Sundays: 8:30 a.m. warm-up in the choir room.
'Ring&Sing' Choir (Grade 5 and up)
- In addition to singing as a regular part of our Family Choir, they provide handbell accompaniments, hymn descants, and through-composed pieces for our 9:00 services and special services throughout the year.
- Rehearsals: 6:45-8:30 p.m. every Thursday in the parish hall, church or choir room - Sundays: 8:30 a.m. warm-up in the choir room.
The '11:00' Choir
- Leads the worship at the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist each Sunday, September to June, along with special seasonal services throughout the year.
- Requires a greater time commitment. Singers are expected to attend regularly and prepare music ahead of time.
- Exploring the rich heritage of the Anglican church, this choir works on psalmody, anthems, motets and service music from early and modern times.
- To join, interested singers with good reading ability should arrange a short opening interview with the choirmaster and an annual "check-up" thereafter.
- Rehearsals: 8:30-9:30 p.m. or 7:30-9:30 p.m. on alternate Thursdays - Sundays: 10:30 a.m. warm-up in the Choir Room.
The Children's Choir (Grades 1-4)
- The Children's Choir, led by Dr. Bruce Glenny, is a vital part of Christian Formation at St. Peter's. The children work on skill levels of music and Christian Education to earn medals and ribbons through the Royal School of Church Music curriculum. New members are always welcome!
- They help lead our worship at the 9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist about once a month, and each Christmas Eve, present a short pageant of the Christmas Story at the 4:00 p.m. Family Eucharist.
- Monthly pizza for choir families before rehearsals provide a time of fellowship and support.
- Rehearsals: Rehearsal every week from 6:00-6:45 p.m..
- A detailed schedule for October through December 2006, including dates for singing during church services, can be found here.
The Chamber Choir of St. Peter's
- The Chamber Choir of St. Peter's (formerly Sarum Singers) draws on the whole community and specializes in early and twentieth-century sacred choral works in a liturgical setting. The choir sings for special services during the year and has performed with Piffaro, Philomel, and Calliope. Their CD for the PGM label of sacred Buxtehude cantatas was released to critical acclaim in 1994.
- In 1997 they sang for the principal Eucharist of the Episcopal General Convention in Philadelphia, and in 2002 for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists.
- For audition information or to receive a schedule for the year, contact the director Dr. Martha Johnson at the church.
The Summer Choir
- The Summer Choir consists of all singers who just love to lead the hymns! There are no rehearsals; just come up and join us in the balcony at any 10:00 a.m. service!
Instrumentalists
- Many members of our congregation are talented Instrumentalists who play for us at services throughout the church year. Please tell Martha Johnson about your own talents!
All of our singers would agree with St. Augustine: "He who sings, prays twice." We invite you to join us in this important ministry, and we welcome you to try us out for a week or a month.