WorshipMusic

Music

Music has long been an important part of life and worship at St. Paul’s; and music opportunities for adults and children abound.  Our singers glorify God through the expression of sacred music, performed magnificently. Come, listen, participate! 

Directors:
804-643-3589 X 5406
804-794-2347 

St. Paul's Choir

Director: Grant Hellmers
St. Paul's Traditional Choir is an ensemble of experienced singers. Continuing a long tradition of excellence in choral music, the choir sings anthems from the traditional sacred choral repertoire - acapella, and accompanied by the organ or other instruments.  The Traditional Choir sings during 11:15 a.m. Sunday services; at 10:00 a.m. Whole Parish services; during special services; and for occasional evensongs and concerts throughout the year.
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Information and auditions: Contact

St. Paul's 9 a.m. Ensemble

Director: Karen Harris
St. Paul's 9 a.m. Choir sings each Sunday at 9 a.m.; Easter Vigil (7:30 p.m.); Christmas Eve (3:30 p.m. carols & service); and with the Traditional Choir at Whole Parish services throughout the year. Repertoire includes music in a variety of styles, including early-American hymns; African-American spirituals; and music from non-Western traditions, as well as anthems from the traditional choral repertoire. Instrumentalists include piano, guitar, bass, and various percussion instruments.
Rehearsals: Sundays, 8:15 a.m. Occasional additional rehearsals as needed.
More information or to join the ensemble (singers/instrumentalists): contact . 

St. Paul's Children's Choir 
The Children's Choir (ages 7 through 12; age 6 for good readers) sings once a month from November - May, including at Christmas Eve (3:30 p.m. caroling and service);  Conversion of St. Paul Sunday; in February and March/April; Easter Day (11:15 a.m. service); and Children's Choir Recognition and Award Sunday in May.
Rehearsals: Sundays, 12:30-1:15 p.m. in the choir room, October - early May.
More information or to join this choir at any time during the season, contact at 804-643-3589, ext. 5406.

Jazz Lunches
Each spring, St. Paul’s hosts Jazz Lunches to celebrate God's ongoing creation through the experience of music. Richmond-area jazz artists such as Kevin Davis and Ban Caribe Trio, VCU Jazz Ensemble, Skip Gailes, Debo Dabney, Doctors of Jazz,  and John Winn perform. Click here for more information, and schedules.  

The Manuel Rosales Organ
Installed in 1999, the St. Paul's organ of 3 manuals and 45 stops (2677 pipes) is in a mahogany case designed by John Blatteau of Philadelphia in the Greek Revival style, as is fitting for the historic Greek Revival building. 

The organ is dedicated in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. William E. Massey, Sr., and many other families and individuals also contributed towards this splendid organ in thanksgiving for and in memory of family members and friends.
 
This was the first large Rosales organ to appear in the eastern half of the U.S. It has tracker (mechanical) key action and electric stop action.  The full specifications can be found here

The Chapel Organ
The Chapel organ was built in 1837 by eminent New York City organ builder Henry Erben for St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Granville, Ohio.  Restored by Mann & Trupiano of Brooklyn, NY in 1984 for Church of the Epiphany, Newton, NC, it was offered for sale again in 1988 and was purchased for St. Paul's Chapel.  The organ has one manual and 6 stops:  Open Diapason 8' (ten. F), Stop'd Diapason Treble and Bass 8' (divided at ten. E/F), Dulciano 8' (ten. F), Principal 4', Flute 4' (ten. F), Fifteenth 2'.  The original hand pumping mechanism still functions as an alternative to use of the electric blower. The keyboard compass is 58 notes, GG-f''' (no GG#). The solid Spanish mahogany case is the only known extant example from Henry Erben; normally pine with faux finish was used at that time.