Music Program Information
In Jewish, Islamic, and Christian worship, music is the bearer of the Divine Word. Whether in the form of the pealing of steeple bell or the chanting of the muezzin from the minaret, music calls us to prayer. All cultures and civilizations have made of their music an offering to God. The foundation of its association with religious ritual lies buried deep within the common roots of our ancient past. The Psalms abound with injunctions to “Sing to the Lord!” This phrase occurs in varying forms more than three hundred times throughout the Bible, making it the most repeated of all biblical mandates.
Our music program enriches our church’s mission of welcome, inclusion, and diversity by featuring a wide range of choral, vocal, and instrumental music. This includes traditional and contemporary anthems, sacred motets, and choral masterworks. Our newly-renovated Aeolian-Skinner organ, one of central Connecticut’s finest, enhances Sunday worship and choral festivals with its exceptional tonal resources and grandeur.
Our dynamic 25-voice Chancel Choir enjoy singing a blend of traditional and contemporary music. The choir performs introits, anthems, and hymns for Sunday worship and rehearses every Wednesday evening from 7:00 – 8:45 PM.
The Festival of Carols, our cherished annual Christmas event, features a 60-voice festival chorus comprised of our Chancel Choir, members of GMChorale, and singers from the Cheshire community. This festive service tells the story of Christ’s birth through the reading of scripture lessons, choral anthems, and traditional Christmas carols sung by everyone in attendance.
Music is integral to our church’s history and mission. Our musical traditions provide a strong foundation, while our enthusiasm and innovation inspire us to express our devotion to Christ through song.
During this year’s service on Sunday, November 3 at 10:00, the chancel choir will be joined by GMChorale to sing J.S. Bach’s cantata No. 4, Christ lag in todesbanden (Christ lay in death’s bonds) with Harmonia string ensemble and soloists. Additionally, composer Ellen Gilson Voth’s new nationally-acclaimed piece, Across the Empty Square, will be premiered with string symphony and piano. Across the Empty Square is a monument to current times and the pandemic, and explores how we can make progress against hate, fear, and isolation.
A service of Festival of Carols is always a greatly-anticipated annual Christmas festival in December that tells the story of Christ’s birth through readings and music. The 60-voice festival chorus is comprised of the Chancel Choir and members from the GMChorale and Cheshire community. The service fills the church to capacity with all in attendance joining in singing festive traditional Christmas carols. The service ushers in the fullness of the season through pageantry, beautiful Christmas decorations that adorn the historic sanctuary, and music that can not only be heard, but felt by everyone in attendance!
Music has been part of our church’s storied history, and is a living, breathing part of our mission and congregation. Our musical traditions serve in part as our foundation, and our musical enthusiasm and innovation serve as our inspiration to express our gratitude and devotion to Christ’s teachings through song.
For more information our Music Program or to join the Chancel Choir, please contact Music Director, Joe D’Eugenio
