This Sunday, the day after Earth Day, we will sing several hymns to celebrate our beautiful planet, particularly at the 11am service. Song for the Environment was written by 13-year-old Ethan Plecash (1996-2014), a former parishioner of Sherman’s in Toronto who died at age 17. We’ll also sing For the Beauty of the Earth and a newer hymn called Touch the Earth Lightly which pleads, “Let there be greening, birth from the burning, water that blesses, and air that is sweet, health in God’s garden, hope in God’s children, regeneration that peace will complete.”

Along with our upcoming Broadway Night music event on June 2 & 3, your music staff is preparing TWO recitals in May here at St. Michael’s. Ensemble Boulanger, led by Co-Artistic Directors Hannah Brewer and Emma Riggle (a fellow Episcopal musician) will present a piano/vocal recital on Friday, May 12 at 7pm. In a multimedia performance, The Circle of Pauline Viardot will explore the life and work of composer and mezzo-soprano Pauline Viardot-Garcìa (1821-1910) and her artistic circle, including music by Frédéric Chopin, Maria Malibran, Gabriel Fauré, César Franck, and Viardot herself. Admission is by donation of any amount, and light refreshments will follow the program. In addition, Choir Director Brian Fairbanks is preparing a flute recital on Saturday, May 20 at 4pm. Details forthcoming, so stay tuned for more musical magic at St. Michael’s!