We speak to those who love music and praising and praying to the Lord with a singing voice.  That would be many of us, I think!  If you are an older singer, consider extending and enhancing your worship when experiencing our very spirited and spirit-filled rehearsal time together.  If a parent of a young person who loves to sing, why not have your child join the Choristers, learn a little more fully about all aspects of music and be a part of this community of young singers among us?  When is it an appropriate time to add your talents to our music ministry at St. Peter's? Any time! You are always welcome!

The Choirs: Adult Choir, Choristers, Choral Scholars, Children’s Choir -  Our choirs continue to grow in competence not only because of consistent diligence but also because we have been  blessed with new members such that we now have a multigenerational ensemble that works well together.  The mix of veteran experience and novice enthusiasm allows the choir to gain confidence as they take on new challenges. With Evensongs, Lessons and Carols for Advent, Christmas Eve services and the Easter Vigil, there are at least six services each program year with a heavy choral emphasis.

Children’s Choir: (rehearsal on Sunday, 9:15-9:30am or during the 10:30am service) The children meet to sing together and prepare pieces to present once a month during services and this activity has expanded! Children’s Choir (Pre-K through 5th grade) continues to lead off the Sunday morning Children's activities program schedule, meeting in the Sanctuary. In addition, during the 10:30 service, Children’s Chapel also includes time for singing and other musical activities. We are involving and reaching more young singers, planting and nourishing the seeds of our church’s rich musical traditions.

Choral Scholars: (rehearsal on Sundays, 12:00-12:20pm) This group, for singers ages 13 and up, rehearses every Sunday and sings for services, independently and in combination with the other choral groups. And the Voice for Life program isn’t just for the Choristers. Choral Scholars can also take advantage of the musical instruction offered through this Royal School of Church Music program.

Off-site activities:  Most recently we have represented St. Peter’s at the Psallam service held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.  This service celebrated the RSCM’s 80th year. November brings our annual Chorister trip to St. Paul’s K St., Washington, where we meet their boy choristers, attend an Evensong service and follow it with dinner at Pulcinella’s.

Special services: The full choir is always on hand to add festive music on the occasion of the Bishop’s visit.  Last June, Bishop Shannon Johnston led a service of Confirmation at St. Peter’s for the first time.  We honored him by singing “ Shannon’s Blessing”, a setting of his final blessing text.

Youth Sunday means youth-led music both vocal and instrumental, usually held in May and October.

The annual Advent Lessons and Carols service is always well attended and received, and sometimes followed by a pizza party! 

The music for our Christmas Pageant is expanding.  In addition to the Christmas Carols sung by all participants and for the entire congregation to sing, the Children’s Choir sings an anthem with the Adult Choir.  The Shepherds and Three Kings render their pertinent songs, and the entire ensemble, which spans all ages of our congregation, enthusiastically sings a final anthem!  What a wonderful testament to a spirit-filled community!

St. Peter’s holds Evensong services three or four times a year on Sunday evenings at 4:44pm. It is a quiet, reflective set of prayers, songs, and psalms asking the worshipper to be still in spirit, thanking God for the day just past and asking for His protection during the coming night. This service has a long Anglican tradition and it is very special that St. Peter’s offers this to our community and underscores St. Peter’s commitment to be ”a Shining City on a Hill that cannot be hid: drawing people near and far into deepening relationship with Jesus” 

With a voice of singing,

Barbara Bulger Verdile

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All photos this page courtesy of Andrea White.