Music
St. Stephen’s Church is committed to a strong music ministry
that lifts our praises to God.
Our Music Ministry
We emphasize congregational singing, participation by people of all ages in our choirs, a variety of musical styles–with the traditional repertoire for which Anglicans are known for giving pride of place–and the highest quality performance by singers and instrumentalists.
We have a long tradition of offering choirs for children, youth and adults; choirs for those who have choral experience and those who want to learn; choirs for those who can commit to a weekly rehearsal schedule and those whose involvement is more limited. There is a bell choir, and there are opportunities for instrumentalists who wish to share their musical gifts in worship.
St. Stephen’s is also known for bringing renowned musicians to perform here, from organists to ensembles to choirs such as the Choir of Men and Boys from Canterbury Cathedral.
Choirs For All
Those who sing pray twice, the saying goes. Everyone at St. Stephen’s Church is invited to help make music that glorifies God. There are choirs for almost every age, as well as a handbell choir for adults (no previous experience required), and opportunities for instrumentalists to share their gifts.
Here’s an overview of the choirs at St. Stephen’s. Additional details are available from the staff listed below. Some choirs require auditions; the staff member can advise you.
Adult Choirs
St. Stephen’s Choir: Adolescents and adults | Rehearsals, Thursdays, 7:30-9:15 | Sings at 9 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. service on Sundays, at 10 a.m. summer Sunday service, and for special services and occasional concerts | Contact Chris Edwards
Sanctuary: Compline choir composed of staff singers and volunteers | Rehearsals Sundays, 6:45-7:50 p.m., plus one Monday monthly, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. | Sings at Compline service, Sundays at 8 p.m., and for special services and occasional concerts | Contact Brent te Velde
Hymn Choir: Adolescents and adults | Sings once a month at the 9 a.m. service, with rehearsal immediately before the service | Contact Chris Edwards
Instrumentalists
Instrumentalists are invited to contact Brent te Velde to discuss playing during preludes at our Sunday morning services.
Celtic service musicians are selected and directed by Brent te Velde.
St. Stephen’s Choristers
St. Stephen’s Choristers include young people of all genders in grades 1-5. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings and has supper together afterwards. They sing in the Palmer Hall service or the main church on Sundays, and for special services, concerts, and other events.
Contact Brent te Velde or Diana Chou.
St. Stephen’s Bell Choir
This adult handbell ensemble rehearses on Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m., and plays in services in main church and Palmer Hall approximately once every six weeks.
Music Notes
On certain Sundays, members of our music staff write about hymns, anthems, and instrumental pieces selected especially for the occasion. You can see them here.
Concerts and Special Events
St. Stephen’s Church offers a rich combination of musical performances throughout the year, from concerts and recitals given by our own choirs and staff musicians, to guest artists and ensembles, to community events hosted at St. Stephen’s by the American Guild of Organists and other groups, to special worship services such as Choral Eucharists, and Evensong services with our choir and singers from other area churches.
In addition, the music department has been hosting special concerts and events over the past two years to raise funds for a choral pilgrimage to Southwest England for our parish choir, the St. Stephen’s Choristers, and the choir of River Road Church, Baptist.
After our singers and music staff return from their long-planned pilgrimage we will post information here about what to expect in 2024-25.
St. Stephen’s Organ
When St. Stephen’s church building was enlarged in 1950 to a design of Philip Hubert Frohman, a new organ was built and installed in 1951 by the Æolian-Skinner Organ Company of Boston. It was designed and finished by G. Donald Harrison in what had come to be known by then as the American Classic style. This style was favored by Harrison because it did not try to artificially recreate any one particular retrospective style of organ building. Rather, it aimed at a satisfying musical approach in creating a truly American style of organ capable of playing the entire literature for the organ, keeping in mind the all-important accompanimental functions required of a church organ. In this regard, St. Stephen’s instrument has few peers, and it is an outstanding example of this style of organ building.
The main portion of the organ is located behind the façade on the Gospel side of the chancel. In 1968, Æolian-Skinner built additions in the main organ, a four-manual console, the Antiphonal Organ flanking the Patriot’s Window on the west wall, and the Positiv Organ on the Epistle side of the chancel.
Photo of Æolian-Skinner organ by Bill Van Pelt
Compline
From the ancient monastic practice of ending the day in prayer and praise of God, a Compline service is held every Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. This stunningly beautiful candlelit service features a small group of singers, “Sanctuary,” offering Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony. The service was inaugurated in September 2010. We also livestream the service each Sunday night at 8 p.m. Once this 30-minute service concludes each Sunday, you’ll see a recording of the most recent service until the next livestream a week later.
The Importance of Contemplative Services
Watch a video segment with the Rev. Bill Roberts about why liturgies like our sung Compline service and Celtic Evensong and Communion are vital to the church in the twenty-first century.
What is Compline?
The word “Compline” is from the same root as the word “complete.” As the last service of the day, it is the completion of our worship of God until the next morning, when we pray, “O Lord, open thou our lips.” In monastic communities, Compline is the beginning of silence lasting until the morning.
Compline can be found on page 127 of The Book of Common Prayer. While this simple service is spoken in many churches, homes, and other settings, our Sunday evening service is sung by the choir. A downloadable PDF of the texts sung at Compline is available here. Recordings of recent services are here.
Sanctuary, the Compline CD
In response to numerous requests for a CD of Sanctuary singing pieces from the Compline service, Sanctuary produced a CD in 2012. Each CD includes complete texts and translations. CDs cost $15 each and may be purchased in the parish office.
Music Contacts
Reach out to learn more about music at St. Stephen’s.
Brent te Velde, Director of Music
Diana Chou, Associate Director of Music
Christopher Edwards, Director, St. Stephen’s Choir and Hymn Choir
Paul Honaker, Handbell Choir Director