The next three Sunday morning offertory anthems showcase the various colors and abilities of our Balcom & Vaughan pipe organ. While many of our most beloved choral anthems are a cappella (sung with voices alone without any instrumental accompaniment), the organ can provide not only support but color and texture. This Sunday at 9am the offertory is a sung version of The Beatitudes by American composer Nancy Wertsch. It includes a meditative organ-only interlude, along with supportive drones underneath the chant-like vocal texture of the rest of the anthem. 

At 11am the Saints & Singers offer an adaptation of a famous Charles Wesley hymn in the style of a “gospel waltz.” The arrangement of “Jesus, the Light of the World” has become a classic in the African American community, although the arranger, George D. Elderkin (1845-1928), was not African American himself.

Please keep in mind the following special choir dates that all are invited to attend:

Sunday, March 8 at 5pm – Lenten Choral Evensong, which is on International Women’s Day. All of the music prepared by the St. Michael’s Singers for this service will be by women, including choral composers Sarah MacDonald, Cecilia McDowall, and Florence Price.

Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 at 7pm – annual Broadway Night music program fundraiser, with solos, duets, and choreographed ensemble numbers performed by choir members and friends, plus a silence auction and dessert at intermission. Tickets will go on sale after Easter at the new, reduced price of $30!