O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven;
be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music
to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth;
and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty,
and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.The Book of Common Prayer, p.819
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All Saints Choirs
Welcome to the choirs of All Saints Church, an Episcopal parish with a music tradition of joy and excellence in God’s service. The Anglican choral program seeks to participate in and transform worship through the transcendent power of music. The choirs sing music from around the world and across the centuries, from Anglican chant and canticles, to pieces by Thomas Tallis, Johann Sebastian Bach, and the music of contemporary composers such as John Rutter and David Hurd.
There are 3 choral choirs – adult and high school, girls, and training choir. These choirs come together on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week of the academic year to rehearse, share musicianship, family life, academic studies, travel, and other extracurricular activities in a unique combination suited to each individual.
The Adult and high school choir is vital to our worship each and every Sunday. Its members range in age from 15 to 85. Those in this choir enjoy musical instruction at a professional level. Many have studied music in the past and appreciate the opportunity to continue to participate in musical performance. Others have little or no experience and simply want the chance to learn more about music. All that is required is the ability to match pitch and to regularly attend rehearsals and services. The choir also gets together from time to time for party and relaxation, which helps build up the community that is such an integral part of the worship at All Saints.
Rare in its depth and breadth, instruction for the girls’ and training choirs is based on the curriculum of The Royal School of Church Music and the Emily K. Dunnam Voice Studio, and builds the foundations of vocal performance: music theory, sight-singing, music notation, and vocal technique. In acknowledgement of their developing professionalism and time commitment, the girls’ choir receives stipends for their work.
Through the ongoing experience of learning and playing together, children and youth also develop lasting friendships and a sense of belonging. Instruction balances warmth and humor with structure and attention to detail, nurturing the development of accomplished musicians and responsible young people who, as they grow to adulthood, understand what it is to be at the heart of vibrant worship.
At various times during the liturgical year the choirs come together in Sunday in a rare intergenerational experience that finds children and youth singing alongside adults, sharing equal responsibility, mastery and creativity.
All Saints welcomes all people, regardless of gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, economic circumstances, family configuration, or difference of ability. We celebrate the worth, dignity, and gifts of every person as a child of God and invite all into the full life of the church.
If you are interested in the choirs and would like more information please contact me directly:
Jeff Clearman
Principal Parish Musician
jeff@allsaintsmobile.org
438-2492 Ext. 16