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For more information about any of the music ministries at
St. Paul’s, please contact Douglas A. Beck, AOJN, Organist-Choirmaster,
at 703-549-3312 x17 or douglas@stpaulsalexandria.com.
Music Ministries at St. Paul’s engage the church and community.
St. Paul’s music ministries encourage participation from
the pews to the musician’s gallery, offering opportunities
for all ages and abilities to make music to the glory of God.
We recognize the dynamic, affirming and worshipful act of
music making as a gift from God that unifies, inspires, delights,
expresses, comforts and challenges us. Music, along with all
of our liturgical actions, shapes God’s people to live
lives worthy of our calling through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through musical excellence, we proclaim the story of God’s
mighty acts in all of creation, we affirm the word and sacraments
of the church, we nurture relationships with God and one another
and we open our doors to the world through our liturgies and
concerts. Everyone at St. Paul’s actively participates
in music making, from the pews to the music gallery, in the
celebratory act of praising and thanking God.
Voice for Life is the Royal School of Church Music
Program training singers of every level, age and ability.
At St. Paul's, this method of choir training is available
to choirs within the context of the weekly rehearsal. In order
to foster a singing congregation, is is also available in
a concentrated format to any interested parishioner regardless
of previous singing experience. The Voice for Life session
takes place from 6:45-7:20 PM each Thursday evening that the
St. Paul's Choir rehearses. All are encouraged to participate,
learning how to use the gift of each God-given voice to further
God's kingdom through music.
Choral Evensong is a sung service by clergy and the
choir with a tradition steeped in the history of the monastic
and collegiate traditions of the Anglican Church. Following
the form for Evening from the Book of Common Prayer, the service
embodies the corporate prayers of those assembled on behalf
of God’s universe. Choral Evensong takes place on four
Sundays each season at 5:00 PM.
We make music to praise and thank God.
Angel Chorus (pre-K through grade
2) meets weekly on Wednesdays during the choir year from 5:00
to 5:30 p.m. Spiritual formation, learning to belong, and
musical fun are all included. The Angel Chorus participates
in occasional 9:00 a.m. services.
St. Cecilia Choir (Grade 3 through changed voices)
is an affiliate-graded choir program of the Royal School of
Church Music training scheme, "Voice for Life."
The St. Cecilia Choir leads worship at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday
service from September through May. Choristers meet weekly
on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. The choir gathers at
8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning to prepare to lead the 9:00 a.m.
service.
St. Paul's Choir (changed voices through adult) meets
weekly on Thursdays during the choir year from 7:30 to 9:30
p.m. St. Paul's Choir leads the 11:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy
from September through mid-June in addition to Thanksgiving
Eve, Advent Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday,
Holy Week, and Choral Evensong services. Service preparation
begins at 10:15 a.m. each Sunday for the 11:00 a.m. liturgy;
6:30 p.m. for weeknight services (9:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve)
and 3:15 p.m. for Choral Evensong.
Gospel Choir (intergenerational) is St. Paul's summer
choir. With the more relaxed pace of summer, comes the more
relaxed summer choir at St. Paul's. Music is hymn-based and
selected from the Episcopal Church Hymnal Lift Every Voice
and Sing II. Singers gather around the organ console at 9:15
a.m. each Sunday in advance of the 10:00 a.m. summer service.
This is a perfect opportunity for both eager and reluctant
singers of all ages to join together and lead the church in
song. Gospel summer choir is a great activity, not only for
our regular choir members, but also for those who want to
know more about music at St. Paul's and those who do not have
the time to make a full choir commitment. All are welcome
to sing on one or all Sundays in the summer.
Ars Choralis (adults) is St. Paul's resident community
choir of up to 44 voices. The choir's repertoire spans the
timeless choral music of sacred traditions. There are an average
of ten Tuesday rehearsals from 7:45 p.m. until 9:45 p.m.,
one sectional rehearsal, and a dress rehearsal preceding two
annual concerts at St. Paul's. Voices audition from St. Paul's
Choir and the greater Washington, DC region.
Good Shepherd Ringers (Grade 9 through adult) participate
in Sunday liturgies twice monthly, Advent Lessons and Carols,
and the Christmas Eve service at the 6:00 p.m. Each spring,
the Good Shepherd Ringers travel to Ocean City, Maryland where
they participate in the two-day American Guild of English
Handbell Ringers Region III Festival. Rehearsals take place
Wednesdays at 7:45 until 9:00 p.m.
Keyboard Scholars are dedicated members of a St. Paul's
Choir who apply for organ or piano study each choir year.
In addition to regular participation in a musical ensemble,
scholars agree to participate in one weekly lesson to advance
their music skills. A limited number of scholarships are available
each season.
Musical instrumentalists from the congregation often make
melody to the Lord in liturgies with their musical instruments
as soloists, in ensembles, and with congregational singing.
To offer your instrumental musical talent, please express
your interest to the Organist-Choirmaster
St. Paul's Saints and Singers supports the music ministries
of St. Paul's by offering logistic and financial support.
If you are interested in supporting the ongoing work of the
choirs within the church and greater community, please consider
making a financial contribution payable to St. Paul's Episcopal
Church, with Saints and Singers clearly marked in the memo
line. All are invited to volunteer to aid in the logistics
of the program. For more information, please contact St. Paul's
Organist-Choirmaster, Douglas A. Beck, at 703-549-3312 x17
or douglas@stpaulsalexandria.com.
Choir CD
Purchase "From Prelude to Exaltation" featuring St. Paul's
Casavant Pipe Organ and the St. Paul's Choir to support ongoing
music ministries. The CD includes William Bradley Robert's
mass setting commissioned for the 200th anniversary celebration
of St. Paul's. To buy your own, mail a check for $25.00 to
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 228 South Pitt Street, Alexandria,
Virginia 22314, ATTN: Douglas A. Beck, Organist and Choirmaster.
Check should be made payable to St. Paul's Episcopal Church
with "Saints and Singers" in the memo line. Please be sure
to note that the check is for the purchase of the choir CD
as well as your mailing address where you would like your
CD to be delivered. Click here to listen to a sample of St.
Paul's Choir CD. Visit
here to listen to a sample of St. Paul's Choir
CD.
2010 Upcoming Events
June 6, 10:00 a.m.
Music Ministry Sunday
July 4, 11:30 a.m.
Fourth of July Organ Fireworks
Wednesday, Sept. 8
Choirs resume weekly schedule of rehearsals and services
Sunday, Oct. 10, 5:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong
Saturday, Dec. 4, 7:00 p.m.
Ars Choralis Concert
Sunday, Dec.12, 5:00 p.m.
Advent Lessons and Carols
2011 Events
Sunday, Feb.13, 5:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong
Saturday, April 16, 7:00 p.m.
Ars Choralis Concert
Sunday, April 10, 5:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong
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