Choirs and Handbell Guilds

Choirs and Handbell Guilds

There are comprehensive choral and handbell groups for all ages. Through a planned system of graded choirs, participants are taught the importance of music in Christian worship. Members are trained in the liturgy of this parish church becoming familiar with the enduring hymns of the Church as well as ecclesiastical choral and instrumental music.

For children, youth and adults without a musical background, instruction in the rudiments of music is taught through the various choirs and handbell ensembles. Children’s youth and handbell choirs rehearse from September to the end of April. The Sanctuary Choir rehearses and sings year-round. The music program at St.Stephen is led by Mark Scott, Minister of Music & Organist.

Sanctuary Choir (Adults)

Rehearses each Thursday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings from 10:25-10:45 a.m., Adult Choir Room, Year round.

The Sanctuary Choir is an all volunteer group – no one is paid to sing. Requirements are a pleasant singing voice with great emphasis on ability to blend with the ensemble. All singers are expected to participate fully in all events for which the choir is scheduled to sing. Repertoire includes standard classical choral music from plainsong to recently composed music. This group provides musical leadership at numerous events throughout the season in addition to the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. They do not sing concerts, rather, many special worship services are scheduled throughout the year at which they sing. The music which will be sung is detailed in the annual music schedule available on the website or from the music office. It covers a 13-month period from September and is published in July of each year.

Cherub Choir (3 yrs. old – Kindergarten)

Rehearses each Thursday from 4:15-5:00 p.m., September to May, in Room 223 of the Education Building.

Basic instruction in music including recognition of musical signs and symbols; study of church symbols; “singing” repertoire is taken exclusively from Presbyterian Hymnal – learning the first stanza of many hymns – plus a few “silly-songs.” Our aim is to acquaint each child with the hymns and service music of the church so that when they do begin to sit with their parents in church there are “anchors” throughout the service which are familiar to them and in which they can participate, even if it means singing the first stanza of a hymn four or five times as the rest of the congregation sings the different printed stanza. This group sings at the Advent Lessons and Carols Service, Easter Lessons and Carols Service, and 3-4 times per year in the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service.

Bethlehem Choir (1st grade – 3rd grade)

Rehearses on Sunday, 9:45-10:00 a.m., September to May, Room 223 of the Education Building. Average enrollment: 10 singers

Rehearses with the Junior Choir. This group sings in the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service about five times per season. Repertoire consists mainly of hymns and service music from the Presbyterian Hymnal. They also participate in Advent Lessons and Carols Service, Easter Lessons and Carols Service, as well as an annual musical production held in the spring.

Junior Choir (4th & 5th grade)

Rehearses with the Bethlehem Choir on Sunday, 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. This group sings in the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service about five times per season. Their repertoire consists mainly of hymns and service music from the Presbyterian Hymnal. They also participate in Advent Lessons and Carols Service, Easter Lessons and Carols Service, as well as an annual musical production held in the spring.

Youth Choir (6th grade – 12th grade)

Rehearses Sunday, 5:15-6:15 p.m., September to May, Room 223 of the Education Building.

Meets prior to youth fellowship meetings each week and sings a very wide selection of music from traditional choral anthems and hymns to contemporary lighter music. This groups provides the readers for the lessons in both the Advent Lessons and Carols Service and the Easter Lessons and Carols service annually. They sing in the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service about eight times per season. The speaking and acting parts of the annual spring break musical are assigned to members of this choir.

St. Gregory Handbell Guild (5th – 12th grades)

Rehearses Sunday, 4:00-5:00 p.m., September to May, Handbell Room, located in the Sanctuary

This bell choir meets weekly prior to Youth Choir rehearsal. Plays in church about three times per season.

St. Swithun Handbell Guild (Adults)

Rehearses Tuesday, 6:00-6:45 p.m., September to May, Adult Choir Room.

Plays 3-4 times per year in the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. Repertoire includes a variety of music.

St. Columba Guild (Adult)

Provides personnel for carrying the two processional crosses, the processional banner, Holy Bible, and torches in each week’s 11:00 a.m. Worship Service, as well as for all special services needing a processional and a recessional. Both females and males serve in this capacity.

Acolyte Festival in D.C.

- each October