On Friday July 15 the 110-voice conference choir presented Choral Evensong in the lovely candlelit, incense-fragranced All Saints' Chapel. The choir also participated in July 17 Sunday Eucharist with a professional brass quintet and timpani, and it was truly glorious. Below are Vimeo links to both liturgies. I’ve marked the specific times where the music … Continue reading Sewanee Church Music Conference 2022 – Links to Evensong and Eucharist
A Week at the Sewanee Church Music Conference
ALL SAINTS' CHAPEL It’s always my favorite week of the summer, the second week of July on the “Holy Mountain.” This time, after missing two years, it was a homecoming, a giant party, a family reunion with dear friends, some of whom I have known since the early 1990s. And a wonderful new edition this … Continue reading A Week at the Sewanee Church Music Conference
Did somebody hit the RESET button?
I recently heard a friend say that the pandemic had hit the “reset” button on certain aspects of their life and that as a result, in some areas they feel they are having to start from scratch. This resonates with me a bit when I think about our St. Luke’s music program, particularly our choirs. … Continue reading Did somebody hit the RESET button?
A Visit from Carl Haywood
I got a wonderful surprise yesterday after church when Dr. Carl Haywood came up to the organ to introduce himself and say hello. Dr. Haywood is an eminent composer and arranger of sacred music, but is also a well-known conductor, teacher, clinician, and church musician. His work has been particularly significant in the Episcopal Church … Continue reading A Visit from Carl Haywood
Livestreaming from the Organ, or the back row!
You know those people who are constantly on their smartphones? Those people who are on their phones everywhere, in restaurants, movie theatres, concerts, even in church? Well, if you're sitting in church and you look up front and see me, your organist, on my phone during the service, I promise I am not shopping on … Continue reading Livestreaming from the Organ, or the back row!
Wanted: Handbell ringers!
In the current absence of a choir at St. Luke's due to COVID restrictions, we have decided to start a handbell choir. Fortunately, St. Luke's owns two octaves of Schulmerich handbells that were donated by Dot Borden some years ago. So we are dusting them off, polishing them up, donning protective gloves, and getting ready … Continue reading Wanted: Handbell ringers!
Hymn Sing and Compline Tomorrow
We hope you'll join us tomorrow evening at 7 for another Hymn Sing at St. Luke's! It's been wonderful gathering every other Wednesday to sing together. Everyone is welcome, singers or just listeners. It's great fellowship and a chance to hear the organ and make music in our church once again. We sing masked and … Continue reading Hymn Sing and Compline Tomorrow
Our Second Hymnsing this Wednesday at 7!
An eager group of St. Luke's folks gathered at church last month, and with great joy and gratitude, raised their voices - TOGETHER! - by singing favorite hymns. The evening was such a success that we have decided to offer hymnsings every other week, beginning this Wednesday July 14 and continuing through September 8. We … Continue reading Our Second Hymnsing this Wednesday at 7!
Choir in the time of Covid
The Hallelujah Chorus. Christmas carols. Happy Birthday. Favorite hymns and anthems. If you like to sing, perhaps you've sung all of these, no doubt surrounded by other singers. Those of us who sing together in church choirs find great joy spending countless Wednesday evening rehearsals and Sunday morning services working and hoping to minister and … Continue reading Choir in the time of Covid