The Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells resumed rehearsals and Sunday performances in midAugust. The Cantata, “The Winter Rose,” was performed on December 15th by the choir with help from St. Mark soloists and a small chamber group of instrumentalists hired for the occasion.
Both the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells have enjoyed welcoming new members to their groups, whether they be for typical Sunday performances, special music, or Easter/Christmastime performances. In the coming year we look forward to observing gospel and spiritual music during the month of February and women composers writing in the sacred tradition in the month of March. For Easter, we anticipate welcoming additional instrumentalists to enhance an Easter program, hopefully drawing from our own members at St. Mark as well!
There have been many exciting additions and continuations to the Music Ministry at St. Mark. In August, several members have re-joined the chancel choir after a couple years of hiatus. Additionally, St. Mark welcomed a couple completely new members to our choir this year. We now have multiple voices in each part: soprano; alto; tenor; bass, which even allows us to occasionally incorporate split-part music in our choir (SSAATTBB)!
The Chancel Bells have been busy this year as well! The ensemble has learned music at a wonderfully brisk pace, allowing the group to perform multiple times within a season, giving more opportunities for the members of St. Mark to share their musical gifts. A small bell ensemble joined us for the Easter service’s “Hallelujah” performance for the first time. Additionally, we had so many members participating in our Christmas Bells performance, that we were running out of space, stands, and bells—a good problem to have!
With the help of Pastor MP, numerous youth members, and their supporting families, we have been able to incorporate a new ensemble into the Music Ministry at St. Mark. The Youth Ensemble began rehearsing this past summer and premiered their first piece near the beginning of the school year. The ensemble has continued to rehearse, performing a Christmas piece at the end of the calendar year. They will continue to rehearse, with plans to perform again shortly after Easter.
Listed below are additional musical points of interest from the past year:
• A variety of Summer special music including bell duets, strings duets, youth member solos, vocal trios, vocal solos, and much more
• The yearly Christmas Cantata accompanied by a chamber orchestra including St. Marks members • Special Music during Holy Week services
• The Hallelujah Chorus and other Special Music with string accompaniment during Easter
• Collaboration with Pastor MP in initiating a Lessons and Carols service
• Engaging in a diverse array of music, including education and discussion of Spirituals
• A Summer Hymn-Sing
• Music selections for the Blue Christmas service
• Collaborations between the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells
In the coming year, we hope to continue as many of these wonderful opportunities as possible, while striving to provide continuing opportunities for the members of St. Mark. In the coming year, some brief goals will include streamlining the music storage areas, reducing visual “noise” in the Sanctuary regarding the Music Ministry, initiating an opportunity for an Adult Chamber Music Ensemble, and continuing to provide compelling music during special services and within the Sunday morning worship service.
Respectfully submitted, Ethan Forte, Music Director
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