Music
Welcome
to St. Paul's Church! Fine music has always been one of the hallmarks of St.
Paul's, essential to our beautiful Anglican worship and a point of pride for
our parish. St. Paul's is blessed by the outpouring of talent and time by
many parishioners of all ages in the ministry of music. Their participation
reminds us that among the greatest gifts we have to share are those precious
talents God has given to each of us. We are all richer when we offer our talents
to God in worship. Below is a brief description of the various parish choirs. It
is my hope that you, too, will find "a place for you" in this parish
ministry.
-Charles Banks,
Director of Music
Contact Charles Banks at cbanks@stpaulswestfield.org
To view the specifications of St. Paul's new organ click
here:
To view pictures of the new organ:
Chancel Organ
Antiphonal
Organ
Below are some of the many opportunities for participation in St. Paul's Music Program:
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The St. Paul's Choir |
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The Treble Choir |
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The Junior Choir |
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The Primary Choir |
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The Summer Choir |
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Sometime Singers |
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The Special Music Fund |
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Friends of Music |
The St. Paul's Choir
Membership in the St. Paul's Choir is open to all adults and high school students of the parish and community who love to sing. The St. Paul's Choir, made up of volunteer voices and professional section leaders, provides musical leadership at the 10:00 a.m. service. While the ability to read music is not required, it is an asset. Most members do read music and the pace of rehearsals is geared to persons with that skill. The St. Paul's Choir begins in September and continues through early June. Rehearsals are Thursday evening from 7:30 until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday at 9:10 a.m
The Treble Choir
St. Paul's Treble Choir (girls 7th through 12th grade boys 7th grade through voice change) rehearses on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and sings with The Saint Paul's Choir. The Treble Choir is an advanced group of choristers, most of whom are graduates of St. Paul's Junior Choir. An audition is required.
The Junior Choir
Membership in the Junior Choir is open to young people of the parish in grades three through six. The girls rehearse each Tuesday from 4:00 until 4:30 p.m.; the boys rehearse from 4:30 until 5:00 p.m. Refreshments, a study hall and free time are available to the Junior Choir members from 3:30 p.m. until rehearsal time. The Junior Choir sings at the 10:00 am service approximately once each month.
The Primary Choir
Membership in the Primary Choir is open to all young people of the parish
in grades one through two. Rehearsals are Tuesday from 3:30 until 4:00
p.m. and are preceded by refreshments in the lounge. The Primary Choir
sings at the celebrations of Christmas and Easter and at other times during
the year. Members of this choir receive musical training in preparation
for becoming active in the Junior Choir of the parish.
The Summer Choir
Membership in the Summer Choir is open to all members of the parish.
The Summer Choir provides musical leadership at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday
service from June until September. The choir meets each Sunday at 9:15
a.m. to rehearse a simple anthem. Attendance is "come when you can."
Sometime Singers
Sometime Singers are members of the parish and community who would like to sing in The St. Paul's Choir for a choir concert, evensong, or on specific occasions such as Christmas and Easter.
The Special Music Fund
Several of our special musical presentations are made possible by the Lois M. Hey Music Fund and the Special Music Fund. The Hey Fund was established to provide instrumentalists for special services and concerts. Likewise, the Special Music Fund is a musical endowment supported by your gifts.
Friends of Music
Friends of Music at St. Paul's was established in April, 1993, to enhance
the musical experience at St. Paul's Episcopal Church - above and beyond
the parish program. Their financial and volunteer support allows us to
maintain and to expand our musical offerings to the parish and community.
The support of over 160 members of the parish and community allows us
to continue the Spring Concert series and to provide funding for the instrumentalists
at our Advent Lessons and Carols Service, our Christmas and Easter services
and, in addition, to other musical events and recitals throughout the
year.