For the services on June 16, we welcome soprano Kaeli, who will sing an excerpt from Handel’s “Messiah” at the 9:00 am service. At the 11:00 am service, soprano Jennifer will sing Schubert’s classic “Ave Maria.” Also featured are a few musical selections to honor the Juneteenth holiday, including an organ prelude composed by Uzee Brown, Jr.

Our annual Broadway Night fundraiser this past weekend was a huge success, thanks to your support and the efforts of numerous volunteers! Over 200 people attended the two shows, and we raised $12,000 after expenses.

Trinity Sunday, May 26, marks the last Sunday of the choir season this year. The St. Michael’s Singers will lead the 9:00 am service with a rhythmic, fast-paced offertory anthem by the Brazilian composer Ernani Aguiar (as well as a classic communion anthem by Mozart), while the Saints & Singers Choir will sing an arrangement of “Mothering God, you gave me birth,” with words by Julian of Norwich. The choir season won’t truly wrap up, however, until Broadway Night on May 31 and June 1. Buy your tickets on Sunday between services or at the door. We can’t wait to “Raise You Up!”

Our Pentecost music this Sunday includes a classic arrangement of the African-American spiritual “Ev’ry time I feel the spirit” and a communion motet composed by our own Robert Lockwood, along with many traditional (at 9:00 am) and non-traditional (at 11:00 am) hymns celebrating the Holy Spirit.

Broadway Night ticket sales continue for the next three Sundays after the 9:00 and 11:00 am services. This is our music program’s only fundraiser, and it’s also one of the most entertaining evenings of the year at St. Michael’s! The shows are on Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1, at 7:30 pm.

The St. Michael’s music program presents its final Choral Evensong of the season for the Feast of the Ascension on Thursday, May 9, at 7:00 pm. Music includes organ voluntaries by Olivier Messiaen and Dieterich Buxtehude, as well as C.V. Stanford’s “Magnificat & Nunc dimittis in C” and Gerald Finzi’s triumphant Ascension anthem “God is Gone Up.” All are welcome to this Ascension Day service lasting less than an hour, officiated by the Rev. SuEllen Pommier.

All are invited to another recital by Ensemble Boulanger (that’s pianist Hannah Brewer and soprano Emma Cowell) in the Nativity Hall this Saturday, April 27, at 4:00 pm. The theme is German Romantic Lieder, with songs, piano solos, and piano duets by 19th-century composers. Then on Sunday, April 28, not only do we get the treat of hearing our St. Michael’s Choristers and Joyful Players sing a song to close their Easter play at the sermon time; but we have a lovely anthem at 9:00 am and 11:00 am sung by the St. Michael’s Singers by beloved American composer Randall Thompson.

On Sunday, April 21, the St. Michael’s Singers are split in two with the tenors and basses at 9:00 am and the sopranos and altos at 11:00 am. They will each sing anthems on the theme of the Good Shepherd, including a charming communion anthem by Natalie Sleeth featuring two flutes, with soloists Brian Fairbanks and Sundance Henry.

The memorial service for devoted choir member Sandy Yarno, who passed away in November, is this Saturday at 1:00 pm. Members from both adult choirs will combine to sing two anthems in memory of Sandy, including Bobby McFerrin’s beloved arrangement of the 23rd Psalm. We are honored to celebrate Sandy’s legacy of loyal, joyful singing!

The St. Michael’s choirs and music staff have been enjoying some downtime this week after an incredible Holy Week and Easter filled with musical highs! Thank you to all who participated in producing powerful music last week, from our volunteer youth and adult singers and professional section leaders to the Portland Brass Quintet, Brian, Hannah, and YOU in the pews singing your hearts out.