Music
I will sing with the Spirit and with understanding also.

A LOVE OF MUSIC
The music ministry at Saint Stephen's Parish seeks to fill every heart with the sound of
God's peace and joy. Through the finest sacred music of many centuries, we aim to provide
an ever-expanding vocabulary to proclaim God's eternal message. Careful preparation and
weekly rehearsals by the musicians of our parish support our commitment to offer
our fullest and most enriching praise to God in the highest.

                    Photo courtesy of Claire Cox

— Parish Choir —
Leadership & Excellence for singers from Grade 9 through adult

REHEARSALS: TUESDAYS, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

The purpose of the Parish Choir is “to bring each other and the congregation closer to God”. This is fostered as we sing from a widely varied repertoire of music from many periods, cultures and styles and of varying degrees of difficulty. Anthems are chosen to enhance worship by elaborating or focusing on the Gospel and theme of any given Sunday. Teenagers and adults are warmly welcomed and quickly incorporated into the group. The Parish Choir rehearses for two hours on Tuesday evenings, beginning at 7 pm. We gather at 9 on Sunday mornings to run through the music for that particular day.

Additionally, if you are interested in singing for evensongs, the great Festivals of the church year, or the Meditation on the Passion, arrangements can be made for attending 3 or 4 rehearsals prior to these occasions. Please speak to Anne.

           Photo courtesy of Claire Cox

[top]

— Chorister Program —

A Living Tradition for boys and girls aged 5 through 15

For centuries children have sung in the churches, and cathedrals of Europe and America. Master musicians such as Palestrina, Bach, and Mozart composed for choirs whose top line (soprano) was sung by boys with unchanged or 'treble' voices. More recently, choirgirls have joined the ranks of boy choristers on an equal basis.

The unique brilliance and power of young voices singing great music still rings throughout the world. This is the tradition of excellence which inspires the Chorister Program of Saint Stephen's Parish, on a scale suited to our own parish and community.

The Chorister Program not only nurtures young people musically, but also supports their individual Christian formation. We explore the meaning of the words we sing and the liturgies we lead, along with learning about the Episcopal church, the seasons of the church year, and the many ways God is revealed in the world of the arts. We believe that youngsters can far exceed the usual musical boundaries adults envision for them, and we know that musical activities sharpen children's skills in many other areas.

Training Choir

for boys and girls in Kindergarten through Grade 2
Meets Wednesdays 3:30-4:15 p.m. 

The Training Choir is open to children grades K-2. We meet on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 until 4:15. Children learn note values, musical symbols, and matching pitch. We work on liturgy, the seasons and colors of the church year, and learn about different composers. They sing with the St. Cecilia and St. Nicholas Choristers 3 or 4 times a year.

Saint Nicholas and Saint Cecilia Choir
for boys in and girls in Grade 3 (with exceptions) through voice change or Grade 9
Meets: Wednesdays, 4:15-5:30 p.m. or Fridays 3:30-4:45 p.m. 

(Wednesday and Friday rehearsals are identical. Attendance at one is required.)

The St. Cecilia and St. Nicholas Choristers, grades 3-8, have a choice of two rehearsal days. Either on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:30, or on Friday afternoons from 3:30-4:45. We learn about liturgy, hymnody, service music and various anthems, great composers for the church, and often sing in languages other than English. Vestments are worn, and they sing every Sunday. Occasionally, they join in the anthem with the Parish Choir and ring handbells. Teaching tools include the Royal School of Church Music’s Voice for Life program, and Viva voce!, materials for choirs from the St. James Music Press.

Another opportunity for this age is to be trained as an organist’s assistant. This involves sitting at the console, pulling stops, pushing buttons, and turning pages. Some practice time is required!

[top]

— Bell Choir —
for adults and young people beginning in Grade 6
REHEARSALS: MONDAYS, 6:30-8:00 pm 

The Bell Choir meets on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Always looking for new ringers, we encourage you to come out and give bell-ringing a try for several weeks. The ability to read music is not essential, but obviously helpful! Counting is the more important skill! All are welcome!

[top]

— Music for the Community —
Saint Stephen's helps enliven the Pittsfield and larger Berkshire-area community with numerous special events outside of our regular worship services, including:

• Sacred Concerts of religious vocal and instrumental music
• Masterworks Concerts by guest artists and ensembles from around the world

• Hosting concerts by numerous local performing organizations, meetings and

programs of the American Guild of Organists, regular rehearsals of several Berkshire musical groups, and practice time for music students.

[top]