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.

The musical highlights for Holy Week continue! Maundy Thursday will feature THREE beautiful choral anthems, including Maurice Duruflé’s much-loved “Ubi caritas” and Colin Mawby’s majestic “Ave verum corpus.” Good Friday’s bilingual evening service will feature a heart-wrenching arrangement of the African-American Spiritual “Take my mother home” during the veneration of the cross.

Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter mean lots of dramatic choir anthems coming your way! For Palm Sunday at 9:00 am, Stephen Paulus’ “Carol of the Hill” will be sung by the St. Michael’s Singers, depicting the crucifixion through the scope of springtime and the hope of rebirth.

March 10 is Woman Composer Sunday, as recognized by organizations like the American Guild of Organists and the Society of Women Organists. The choir will sing a communion anthem by the Canadian composer Stephanie Martin (b. 1962), while the organ voluntaries are by Rebecca Groom te Velde (b. 1956) and Adela Douglas-Pennant (1858-1955).

On Sunday, March 3, we will have the pleasure of hearing Rev. R. Scott Painter at the piano for the prelude at 9:00 and 11:00 am, offering variations on the hymn tune “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”

To close out Black History Month, we’ll feature music by African-American composers at both the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services on Sunday, February 25.

On Sunday, February 11, our recognition of Black History Month continues with an organ prelude by Robert A. Harris (b. 1938). Harris is a Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University and has served nationally and internationally as a conductor, composer and clinician.