The Music Ministry at St. John’s Church remains an active ministry dedicated to making opportunities for the congregation to offer their God given talents in all areas of music and drama. I thank the congregation and community for supporting the ministry with their attendance, monetary support and continued greetings as we sail into the future. Below are the highlights from 2016:
In January, St. John’s Choir hosted An Olde English Madrigal Dinner and Concert fundraiser for the Music Foundation.
In February, at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Follies, the “Silent Monks”, members of our choir who used cards with words, performed Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus — silently, of course.
A choral concert of the Lenten portion of Handel’s “Messiah” was presented in March. The choir also contributed to Holy Week services, as well as Easter, with special brass instrumentalists.
A very special service of Rev. Mark Riley’s Ordination was held in April, with special music from our choir. We also hosted the “Bellissima Women’s Chorale” concert and reception.
In May, St. John’s was the site of an Organ Swell concert with Marty Barstow, organist.
During the summer our choir offered portions of Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah” for the Music Sunday services. I also helped supply music for Vacation Bible School.
In September, St. John’s choir and clergy participated in a special choral Evensong for the installation of the officers of the American Guild of Organists. The fall continued special music for the church and the community with “The Phantom of the Organ,” a family fun program for Halloween, and the solemn All Saints Evensong featuring the Fauré Requiem.
For Thanksgiving, our choir joined area choirs for an ecumenical service at First Baptist that was well attended by the community.
Advent and Christmas were celebrated with a service of Lessons and Carols for Advent, a Taizé service for the Longest Night on December 21st, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
Our monthly Taizé services were held throughout the year on the third Sunday of the month, with a break during the summer months.
Originally published in St. John’s Epistle, February 2017.