For over three hundred years people have climbed this high hill within the Great Valley seeking God in this truly historic place. The means of travel have changed, but the purpose of the journey, and what seekers have found here, have not. May you find God here and be found by Him.
2475 St. Peter's Road, Malvern, Pennsylvania  19355
Phone: 610-644-2261    Fax: 610-644-7967
Email: parishoffice@stpetersgv.org

St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley (Episcopal)
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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

The Family Choir

  • 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.

St. Peter's Handbell Choir (Grade 5 and up)

  • The St. Peter's Handbell Choir is an intergenerational group of children and adults. This ensemble rehearses on the same Thursday evenings as the Family Choir from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Barn and rings at various services throughout the year.
  • First rehearsal: Thursday, September 13. Please call Bruce Glenny, associate organist/choirmaster, at the Parish Office (610-644-2261) for more information.

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 musical skills and Christian education through worship skills and leadership. New members are always welcome!
  • They help lead our worship at the 9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist every Sunday, sing special anthems about once a month, and each Christmas Eve, present a short pageant of the Christmas Story at the 4:00 p.m. Family Eucharist.
  • Rehearsals: Rehearsal every week from 5:45-6:30 p.m..
  • A detailed schedule for October through December 2007, 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.