MOVING MUSIC

Music is a vibrant and integral part of our contemporary worship here at St. Michael's. As we lift our hearts and voices together in song, we find ourselves led into deeper communion with God and one another. Music engages our bodies and stirs our souls, calling us to rejoice or reflect or repent, inspiring us to love and renewing our energy to serve.

A choir under the direction of Dr. Jason Allen Anderson leads us in our musical worship from September through mid-June. The choir rehearses on Thursday evening from 7:30-9:00 and on Sunday morning at 9:45 before singing at our 10:30 Eucharist, and warmly welcomes new members.

St. Michael's is home to a pipe organ and piano, and on special feast days the sounds of flute, oboe, harp, trumpet, drums and other instruments enhance the sounds of celebration.

Our Hymnal 1982 and our recently published parish “Green Songbook” offer a rich and diverse selection of music from many countries, cultures, and centuries. We cherish the distinctive beauty of our traditional Anglican musical heritage, but take joyfully to heart Biblical encouragement to “Sing to the Lord a new song.”

The meditative beauty of chant both ancient and modern, the complex harmonies and pure tones of Renaissance motets, joyous carols from around the world, lilting cadences of Celtic prayers, rhythmic African songs, soulful gospel tunes, rousing traditional hymns, and contemporary songs of praise all have a place in our musical worship.

As Episcopal writer Christopher L. Webber puts it, “We sing the faith of John Wesley, Martin Luther, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, and Gregory the Great; we sing the faith of the Greek Church, the Russian Church, and the African-American Church – not to mention the faith of the Bible itself.” Newcomers to our community often cite our moving music as a reason for making St. Michael's their spiritual home.