Music at St. Mary’s comes in many guises and is one of the most cherished ministries of the parish. Whether making music or actively listening to it, we touch a place in our souls deeper than words, even deeper than thoughts—and there, in our bareness, we encounter God. Whether learning the music or meditating on its texts while others sing, we embrace centuries upon centuries of Christian poets who, like us, grappled with their relationship to the Divine and left for us a treasury in sacred verse. Whenever we sing together, we take on the singleness of heart for which we pray at each Eucharist, for we sing with a united voice and a corporate spirit. And in all this, music becomes a vehicle in which the mission of the church to restore humanity with its Creator and with one another is advanced. Join us in this joyful song! Contact Charles Hogan with questions about Music at St. Mary’s.
Organ project
In 1985, St. Mary’s undertook installation of an organ of the Casavant Frères firm of Quebec. In its original concept, its utilized divisions of the organ both in the front (chancel) and back (antiphonal) of the church. Cost-saving measures dictated waiting to build the antiphonal division until more funds could be raised, which Dr. Harold Andrews attempted from then until his retirement in 2019. That time is now!
Donors approached the Rector in Fall 2023 and we were soon on the path to see to the completion of the organ. The project will provide careful maintenance to the now forty-year-old instrument, to unify its tone with the addition of the new pipework, and to provide as comprehensive an instrument for Anglican worship as possible with the resources at hand. What will emerge in March 2026 will be an instrument that will transform our capability to warmly accompany congregational song and to accompany our fine choir with finesse.
Three organ building firms submitted proposals to our organ advisory committee and we ultimately chose the Goulding & Wood firm of Indianapolis. We are uniquely fortunate, that the entirety of the project will be funded by the anonymous donors.
More about the project
Our music groups
Children’s Choir
There are several opportunities for children and youth from ages 4 through 18 to encounter music, to sing, and to learn about music and faith.
Adult Choir
The Adult Choir (typically) sings at every 11:00 liturgy on Sundays and on principal feast days. Their repertoire includes music spanning from antiquity through composers of today, with a heavy emphasis on the English choral tradition. Several times per year, they are joined by a chamber orchestra to sing large scale masses and other sacred works. These 24 singers joyfully devote themselves to perfecting the praises offered by God’s people, all the while caring for one another and enjoying camaraderie.
9:00 Service Ensemble
Our 9:00 Ensemble is a broad mix of musicians and instruments. We provide music for informal worship on Sundays. Our repertoire is mostly based in hymns from The Hymnal 1982 and its supplement, Wonder, Love and Praise, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, and Voices Found. Adding to this are chants from Taizé, songs from Cursillo, and other mainstream resources.
We welcome more participation and have at times had musicians playing guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass, drums, piano, and penny whistle!
Music Endowment
Do you love music and want to support it at St. Mary’s? We are fortunate to have the Harold G. Andrews Music Endowment, named for our beloved Organist Emeritus, which augments our ability to offer high caliber music in our services and High Point. Gifts large and small can be arranged through contacting the Rector or our Organist & Choirmaster Charles Hogan.