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From the Music Director
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October 2021
St. Francis and ‘All Creatures’
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Each year at the beginning of October, the Church remembers St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is October 4. The most universal way St. Francis is remembered is the annual Blessing of the Animals, which this year takes place at St. James on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 9 a.m.
We will also remember St. Francis on Sunday, October 3, when we sing Hymn #400, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” as the opening hymn. The words we sing are a translation by the Rev. William H. Draper of Francis’ poem, “Cantico di fratre sole, laude della creatur” (‘Canticle of brother sun and of all creatures’). Often called simply “Canticle of the Sun,” St. Francis’ poem is an early example of Italian vernacular religious song, thought to have been written during the final year of his life. St. Francis’ poem appears again at Hymn #406/407, this time in a translation by Howard Chandler Robbins that was prepared in 1939 for use in the Episcopal Hymnal 1940. This later translation follows more closely the structure of the Italian original, and it is interesting to compare this text with the more well-known version that we will sing on Sunday. |
Riproduzione dal Codice 338, f.f. 33r - 34r, sec. XIII - Biblioteca del Sacro Convento di San Francesco, Assisi
The beginning page of St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Sun”
All three manuscript pages may be found here. |
Most High, omnipotent, good Lord, to thee be ceaseless praise outpoured, and blessing without measure.
From thee alone all creatures came; no one is worthy thee to name.
My Lord be praised by brother sun who through the skies his course doth run, and shines in brilliant splendor:
with brightness he doth fill the day, and signifies thy boundless sway.
My Lord be praised by sister moon and all the stars, that with her soon will point the glittering heavens.
Let wind and air and cloud and calm and weathers all, repeat the psalm.
From thee alone all creatures came; no one is worthy thee to name.
My Lord be praised by brother sun who through the skies his course doth run, and shines in brilliant splendor:
with brightness he doth fill the day, and signifies thy boundless sway.
My Lord be praised by sister moon and all the stars, that with her soon will point the glittering heavens.
Let wind and air and cloud and calm and weathers all, repeat the psalm.
“Cantico di fratre sole, laude della creatur” by Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Translated by Howard Chandler Robbins (1876-1952)
Verses 1-3 as found in the Hymnal 1982, Hymns #406/407
Some of the information for this article is from The Hymnal 1982 Companion, ed. by Raymond F. Glover.
Translated by Howard Chandler Robbins (1876-1952)
Verses 1-3 as found in the Hymnal 1982, Hymns #406/407
Some of the information for this article is from The Hymnal 1982 Companion, ed. by Raymond F. Glover.
September 2021
Annual Back-to-Choir Retreat
This past Saturday, August 28, was a time of joy and celebration for the St. James choir, as we met together to prepare for the choir’s upcoming official return to Sunday services on September 12. We practiced new music for Advent and Christmas, and also sang some familiar favorites. We are so thankful that we can finally sing together, even though at present we must still mask or stay socially distanced to keep each other safe.
A new offering for this year’s retreat was a special singing class by Furman voice professor Lisa Barksdale. In addition to teaching at Furman and being a well-known performer in Greenville and the wider community, Professor Barksdale is also a certified Master Teacher for the McCloskey Institute of Voice and a trained specialist in vocal production and therapy.
During her class for the retreat, Professor Barksdale focused on the need for singers to relax in specific ways, both before and during singing. She taught the choir members specific procedures for maintaining good posture, and she led us in the “Breathy Sigh” exercise to help with the coordination of relaxation and posture. The main points in this exercise are:
The master class ended with a summary of the most important concepts necessary for free and relaxed singing; these concepts cover the breath (in McClosky’s words) as the “motive power of the voice,” the importance of correct posture for efficient breathing, and the need for continual awareness of relaxation of all the muscles (i.e. face, head, neck, and tongue) involved in singing.
(The“Breathy Sigh and Summary concepts are from The Basics of the McClosky Technique© and chapters 1-3 from the book, “Your Voice at its Best” by David Blair McClosky.)
A new offering for this year’s retreat was a special singing class by Furman voice professor Lisa Barksdale. In addition to teaching at Furman and being a well-known performer in Greenville and the wider community, Professor Barksdale is also a certified Master Teacher for the McCloskey Institute of Voice and a trained specialist in vocal production and therapy.
During her class for the retreat, Professor Barksdale focused on the need for singers to relax in specific ways, both before and during singing. She taught the choir members specific procedures for maintaining good posture, and she led us in the “Breathy Sigh” exercise to help with the coordination of relaxation and posture. The main points in this exercise are:
- Check for good posture.
- Check the six areas of relaxation.
- Inhale and exhale, keeping the rib cage expanded.
- Repeat two or three times.
- With the vowel sound “ah” in mind, inhale again.
- Emit a downward sigh in the mid-range, sustaining with the breath.
The master class ended with a summary of the most important concepts necessary for free and relaxed singing; these concepts cover the breath (in McClosky’s words) as the “motive power of the voice,” the importance of correct posture for efficient breathing, and the need for continual awareness of relaxation of all the muscles (i.e. face, head, neck, and tongue) involved in singing.
(The“Breathy Sigh and Summary concepts are from The Basics of the McClosky Technique© and chapters 1-3 from the book, “Your Voice at its Best” by David Blair McClosky.)
August 2021
Choir Interest and Retreat Day
Saturday, August 28 is the date of our annual Choir Retreat and Luncheon, which will kick off a much-anticipated choir year! This event is for returning and new choir members, and in addition, for anyone who has thought about joining the choir, who wants to see what being in the choir is like. If you enjoy singing, are of high school age or older, and can commit to attending regular Wednesday night rehearsals, we’d love for you to come join us on the 28th. We will begin learning some of our new fall and Advent music, review some old favorites, have lunch together, and introduce (or re-introduce) ourselves.
Our tentative schedule:
8:45 – gathering time (light refreshments)
9:15-11:30 – time for singing
11:30-12:15 – lunch in the foyer
12:30-1:45 – Sunday morning preparation for September
Contact Karen Eshelman to sign up for this event.
Our tentative schedule:
8:45 – gathering time (light refreshments)
9:15-11:30 – time for singing
11:30-12:15 – lunch in the foyer
12:30-1:45 – Sunday morning preparation for September
Contact Karen Eshelman to sign up for this event.
June 2021
Choir News
May 19, 2021 was a momentous day for the St. James Choir, as we held our first in-person Wednesday night rehearsal since March 11, 2020. The previous Wednesday, May 12, had turned out to be our final Zoom choir rehearsal, marking the end of a long road that began on Sunday, Sept. 6 with the “St. James Choir Kick-off Zoom Meeting” and the first regular Wednesday evening Zoom rehearsal on Sept. 9. From that point on, except for Thanksgiving Eve and during Christmas week, we met every single Wednesday evening – and we have kept on singing!
We have practiced favorite anthems, sung hymn requests, learned new hymns, and started learning brand new anthems. We have listened to – and watched – choirs in churches, cathedrals, and concert halls around the world, and sometimes we have sung “with” them, singing along to a YouTube video shared from my computer (as I sat alone in the choir room leading our virtual rehearsal).
We have prayed together. We have kept up with each other, shared family news, told jokes – and we even had a Christmas party and played Christmas carol trivia! We learned to record ourselves for virtual choir videos, and along with the congregation, created a virtual way to sing Silent Night together on Christmas Eve.
Every Zoom rehearsal closed with the traditional chanted Nunc Dimittis from the service of Compline. Each person was assigned one of the verses and sang it solo, for all to hear. Unlike during most of the Zoom rehearsal, when we had our computer mics muted while we sang, our singing of the Nunc Dimittis, although chanted by one person at a time, was heard and shared by everyone.
The Nunc Dimittis that we sang to close our in-person rehearsal on May 19 could not have been more different. This time we moved outside to the patio and stood in a circle to sing. This time, after so many months of singing apart, and hearing only in part, everyone sang all the verses, not just one verse apiece, and we all could hear everyone singing all the verses, not just one voice at a time. A blessing…or was it a miracle…indeed!
There are three in-person choir rehearsals scheduled for the summer, to be held in the nave on the Wednesdays of June 16, July 7, and July 28 at 7:30 p.m. All new and returning choir members are invited to participate; please note that we are following the current diocesan guidelines regarding vaccination and masks. Our return to a regular choir schedule will be marked early in September with our annual Saturday rehearsal and luncheon (dates to be determined). Please contact me by email at music@stjamesgreenville.org if you are interested in attending or for any other questions you may have.
We have practiced favorite anthems, sung hymn requests, learned new hymns, and started learning brand new anthems. We have listened to – and watched – choirs in churches, cathedrals, and concert halls around the world, and sometimes we have sung “with” them, singing along to a YouTube video shared from my computer (as I sat alone in the choir room leading our virtual rehearsal).
We have prayed together. We have kept up with each other, shared family news, told jokes – and we even had a Christmas party and played Christmas carol trivia! We learned to record ourselves for virtual choir videos, and along with the congregation, created a virtual way to sing Silent Night together on Christmas Eve.
Every Zoom rehearsal closed with the traditional chanted Nunc Dimittis from the service of Compline. Each person was assigned one of the verses and sang it solo, for all to hear. Unlike during most of the Zoom rehearsal, when we had our computer mics muted while we sang, our singing of the Nunc Dimittis, although chanted by one person at a time, was heard and shared by everyone.
The Nunc Dimittis that we sang to close our in-person rehearsal on May 19 could not have been more different. This time we moved outside to the patio and stood in a circle to sing. This time, after so many months of singing apart, and hearing only in part, everyone sang all the verses, not just one verse apiece, and we all could hear everyone singing all the verses, not just one voice at a time. A blessing…or was it a miracle…indeed!
There are three in-person choir rehearsals scheduled for the summer, to be held in the nave on the Wednesdays of June 16, July 7, and July 28 at 7:30 p.m. All new and returning choir members are invited to participate; please note that we are following the current diocesan guidelines regarding vaccination and masks. Our return to a regular choir schedule will be marked early in September with our annual Saturday rehearsal and luncheon (dates to be determined). Please contact me by email at music@stjamesgreenville.org if you are interested in attending or for any other questions you may have.
May 2021
Alleluia, Amen!
We are so happy that starting on Palm Sunday we began having a small group of masked singers for our hymns on Sundays! The masks worn are special singers’ masks, and they are for the protection of the congregation, as singing produces more aerosols and sends them a greater distance. A small group singing live is a small step, but it is just the first step towards being able to return to congregational hymn singing, in-person choir rehearsals, and music practices for young people. The process of returning to a normal church music program is being carefully planned, and this is part of the reason it seems to be taking a long time. However, we are so heartened and grateful that the changes we are now experiencing are for the better!
Currently, choir members who are interested may sign up for one of four available places each Sunday. We go over the music on Wednesday nights on Zoom and in person on Sunday mornings. Please email Karen Eshelman if you want to return to singing in the choir by assisting on Sundays.
In addition, after so many months without rehearsing, any singers who are ready to get back in shape should come to the Zoom choir rehearsals on Wednesday nights. At our Zoom rehearsals we are learning new music designed for small groups, reviewing some old favorites, and taking a deep dive into the riches of the hymnal. We also have time for a little bit of catching up – and it is so wonderful to see each other! Soon we will be able to have short choir rehearsals in person, but I encourage you to go ahead and join the Zoom rehearsals now. If you need help figuring out how to do this, just email Karen. We’d love to have you join us!
Currently, choir members who are interested may sign up for one of four available places each Sunday. We go over the music on Wednesday nights on Zoom and in person on Sunday mornings. Please email Karen Eshelman if you want to return to singing in the choir by assisting on Sundays.
In addition, after so many months without rehearsing, any singers who are ready to get back in shape should come to the Zoom choir rehearsals on Wednesday nights. At our Zoom rehearsals we are learning new music designed for small groups, reviewing some old favorites, and taking a deep dive into the riches of the hymnal. We also have time for a little bit of catching up – and it is so wonderful to see each other! Soon we will be able to have short choir rehearsals in person, but I encourage you to go ahead and join the Zoom rehearsals now. If you need help figuring out how to do this, just email Karen. We’d love to have you join us!
March 2021
Hymns for Lent
Hymns are an important source for understanding our faith because as sacred poetry, ancient and new, they reference scripture and prayer. Not being able to sing the hymns in worship yet wanting to include them in worship because of their importance, I am choosing organ music that is based on hymns and including verses of those hymns in the order of service. My hope is that seeing the hymn texts will remind us of familiar words and help open the way to prayer. At home during the week, you can find the Lenten hymns in The Hymnal 1982 from #140 through #152, and the Holy Week hymns from #153 through #173. Whether they are sung or simply read, the hymns for Lent and Holy Week serve as a wonderful source for Lenten prayer and meditation.
Other appropriate hymns for Lent are in the section called The Christian Life, #635 – #709. One example, “I heard the voice of Jesus say,” (#692) was written by Horatio Bonar, a clergyman in the Presbyterian church of Scotland. This hymn presents three of Jesus’ invitations as found in the Gospels:
In our hymnal Bonar’s hymn (“hymn” refers to the sacred poetry) is set to music called “The Third Tune,” written by the sixteenth-century English composer Thomas Tallis. The name comes from its use of the ‘third’ or ‘Phrygian’ mode, which is like a pure minor scale with the added alteration of a lowered second scale degree. This gives the music an especially somber sound.
Other appropriate hymns for Lent are in the section called The Christian Life, #635 – #709. One example, “I heard the voice of Jesus say,” (#692) was written by Horatio Bonar, a clergyman in the Presbyterian church of Scotland. This hymn presents three of Jesus’ invitations as found in the Gospels:
- “Come unto me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28);
- “Behold, I freely give the living water; thirsty one, stoop down and drink, and live” (Bomar’s paraphrase of Jesus’ conversation in John 4:10-14); and
- “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
In our hymnal Bonar’s hymn (“hymn” refers to the sacred poetry) is set to music called “The Third Tune,” written by the sixteenth-century English composer Thomas Tallis. The name comes from its use of the ‘third’ or ‘Phrygian’ mode, which is like a pure minor scale with the added alteration of a lowered second scale degree. This gives the music an especially somber sound.
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This tune also appears with the words “To mock your reign, O dearest Lord” (#170) in the Holy Week section of our hymnal, where the text is by the British Methodist minister and hymnodist, Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000). Green’s poem describes the arrest of Jesus and kingly garments given to him by the arresting soldiers – the crown of thorns, the purple cloak, and the sceptered reed. We will hear “The Third Tune” live in church near the end of Lent, when the organ prelude will be a composition based on this tune, written by Gerald Near. |
The most famous composition based on “The Third Tune” is the lovely orchestral piece Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. Composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was inspired to compose the Fantasia while, as editor of the English Hymnal, he was working with this melody for its inclusion in the English Hymnal. I encourage you to watch and listen to this gorgeous 2020 recording by the Philharmonia Orchestra of London – complete with distanced orchestral musicians! https://youtu.be/e6pEIHtffqQ
Information for this article is from Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories and the 1982 Hymnal Companion
January 2021
Making Music Together - at a Distance
A very special musical blessing was created by and for the parish of St. James for our Christmas Eve services: the virtual Silent Night. This was a beautiful gift to all the people of the parish – thank you! Parish members from across the church membership joined in this favorite carol and in a wonderful way created a connection between those singing on the video and those singing this favorite carol at home. You can find the virtual Silent Night below in its stand-alone version, or within the Christmas services posted on the church YouTube page. The virtual Music of Christmas (the 30-minute prelude for the 11 p.m. service) is also on the YouTube page; as part of that musical offering we welcomed back to St. James the Amici Quartet, Jody Blackwell, and David Shelley. The prelude also includes a sing-along with recordings of Christmas carols from previous years and a virtual choir rendition of the Sussex Carol.
December 2020
Sing 'Silent Night' for Christmas Eve
The people of St. James sing Silent Night every Christmas Eve, and for Christmas 2020 we are creating a virtual congregation version of Silent Night. You are invited to join us! We need everyone with a smartphone and earbuds to record a video of themselves singing all three verses of the carol.
Your finished video will be of you and the sound of your voice; you won't hear the organ accompaniment on your video.
Smile as much as possible! Clap along with Karen at the beginning of the video. When the music ends, count to eight (still smiling!) before you stop your recording.
Send your video to music@stjamesgreenville.org using GoogleDrive.
Your video is due on or before December 14. Don't worry about sounding perfect - we need your voice in order to replicate the sound of our full congregation singing. And what better gift could we give each other this Christmas?
Questions? Email Karen at music@stjamesgreenville.org.
Thanks for joining in and lending your voice!
- Record yourself on your phone while you sing along to the accompaniment (guide) video.
- Play the accompaniment video on a second device (computer, tablet, or a second phone)
- Listen through your earbuds (or headphones) to the video.
- The music and additional guidelines are below.
Your finished video will be of you and the sound of your voice; you won't hear the organ accompaniment on your video.
Smile as much as possible! Clap along with Karen at the beginning of the video. When the music ends, count to eight (still smiling!) before you stop your recording.
Send your video to music@stjamesgreenville.org using GoogleDrive.
Your video is due on or before December 14. Don't worry about sounding perfect - we need your voice in order to replicate the sound of our full congregation singing. And what better gift could we give each other this Christmas?
Questions? Email Karen at music@stjamesgreenville.org.
Thanks for joining in and lending your voice!
Lend Your Voice – A Congregational “SILENT NIGHT”
This Advent the St. James Choir is inviting everyone to participate in creating a parish video of our congregation singing “Silent Night.” This virtual congregational carol singing will be a stand-in for our traditional singing of Silent Night by candlelight on Christmas Eve. Although we won’t be singing together in person, this is a project in which everyone can participate and, with technology, come together in singing a favorite Christmas carol.
Each participant will prepare their video on their own, and then send it to Karen’s email [music@stjamesgreenville.org] , using Google Drive (or something similar). We are asking that this be done this first week of December to allow sufficient time for editing and compiling the videos, and indeed it is even better if you can record and send your video immediately. (Unfortunately, no videos can be accepted after December 11 because of the way the final editing is set up.)
We hope that many of you will want to participate with your St. James friends in this project! You are welcome to just sing the melody all the way through, on all 3 verses – we need lots of melody singers! Don’t worry about your voice sticking out, or not liking how you sound, because the final rendition will include many voices singing together See below for recording instructions and the copy of the music you need to follow while making your recording.
Each participant will prepare their video on their own, and then send it to Karen’s email [music@stjamesgreenville.org] , using Google Drive (or something similar). We are asking that this be done this first week of December to allow sufficient time for editing and compiling the videos, and indeed it is even better if you can record and send your video immediately. (Unfortunately, no videos can be accepted after December 11 because of the way the final editing is set up.)
We hope that many of you will want to participate with your St. James friends in this project! You are welcome to just sing the melody all the way through, on all 3 verses – we need lots of melody singers! Don’t worry about your voice sticking out, or not liking how you sound, because the final rendition will include many voices singing together See below for recording instructions and the copy of the music you need to follow while making your recording.
Basic Recording Information:
Congregational Silent Night
Each singer needs the following:
- A device (smartphone, tablet with camera, laptop, computer) to record/video yourself.
- A second device (laptop, tablet, or second phone for viewing the guide video
- Headphones to listen to the accompaniment or guide track while recording. (This is so your camera will record only your voice.)
- A copy of the music above. It is important for everyone to use this version so the parts will fit together properly.
- A quiet room in which to record yourself.
How to Record
- Decide which device you will use to record yourself. If you are using your phone, go to Settings > camera > Record Video and select your setting at 1080p @ 60 fps. (If this speed is not available, use 1080p @ 30 fps.
- Make your recording in landscape mode (phone turned sideways).
- Use a tripod if you have one or set the device on something sturdy and stable.
- Wear only one headphone (earbud) if it is helpful to hear your own voice when recording.
- Your second device (tablet or a second phone) will be used to watch the guide video, which is available at this link: https://youtu.be/50PK66B4Bkg.
- Load the guide video (get it ready to play).
- Put on your headphones or earbuds. You must listen to the guide video this way, so the sound of the video doesn’t end up on your new recording. Avoid turning the volume too high, as it can bleed through and be heard on your new recording.
- Record a little sample of yourself singing or talking, then review it to make sure everything looks and sounds right. For best sound: find the quietest place in your house, do not run major appliances while recording, and limit other sources of noise. For best visual: use a tidy or neutral wall space for your background, and be sure your face is well lit.
- While watching the guide video, record yourself singing all 3 verses of Silent Night. I give the pitch at the very beginning; then you will see me clap 4 times; the count is (clapping) “1 – 2 – 3 – 1” followed by silent beats “2 – 3” – at which point the introduction begins. Please smile during the introduction and for several beats after you finish singing the carol. Clap along with me at the beginning as part of your newly recorded video. (This is not part of the finished video – it is for editing purposes.) There are 3 silent beats between each verse. When you finish singing, smile and mentally count to 8 before you stop recording.
- OPTIONAL: If you want to sing a part other than the melody, please begin by singing the melody on verse 1, and then on verses 2 and 3, stick close to the harmony provided. Either in your video title or in a separate note please let me know that for verses 2 and 3 you are singing another part (alto, tenor, or bass) instead of the melody (soprano).
- Email your finished video to me (music@stjamesgreenville.org) using Google Drive. (There are also other ways to transmit your video and we will help you find a way!)
- That’s it! Again, don’t worry about the way your voice sounds on its own. Sing out with gusto! All the separate voices will be digitally blended together to create our singing congregation!
Recording Tips
TIP: If you're viewing the guide video on a laptop, you can use the same laptop to also record yourself, however, if using a tablet or smartphone you cannot record and watch the guide video on the same device. (On a computer, you can use a recording app like QuickTime Player to accomplish this.)
TIP: Sing with a full sound, but you do not need to sing very loudly; if you sing too loudly, you might cause your recording to be distorted.
Email questions to Karen at music@stjamesgreenville.org.
TIP: Sing with a full sound, but you do not need to sing very loudly; if you sing too loudly, you might cause your recording to be distorted.
Email questions to Karen at music@stjamesgreenville.org.
November 2020
Unto the Lord Shall I Sing
Singing is an integral part of our worship. In Colossians 3:16, Paul advises church members to believe and follow the word of Christ and to sing, with gratitude, praises to God. However, in 2020, we are not able to sing in church because of a tiny virus that is so small, one is about one-eighth the size of a bacterial cell. In order to keep each other safe, Diocesan guidelines currently prohibit congregational singing and limit severely the number of (masked) singers who can sing live with a congregation present – all because keeping each other safe is of the utmost importance.*
Although we can’t sing together in church, yesterday everyone watching the 10:30 live-streamed service at home was able to sing “For All the Saints” as it was broadcast at the beginning of the service. If you missed it, access the video recording of the Nov. 1 service here to sing along with St. James as we sounded in 2018!
Parishioners at this service were not able to sing “For all the Saints,” but we listened to the recording and followed the words. Later, our guest vocalist, Furman professor Lisa Barksdale, sang texts drawn from Isaiah 61:10-11, and as we listened we could pray the words she sang:
Although we can’t sing together in church, yesterday everyone watching the 10:30 live-streamed service at home was able to sing “For All the Saints” as it was broadcast at the beginning of the service. If you missed it, access the video recording of the Nov. 1 service here to sing along with St. James as we sounded in 2018!
Parishioners at this service were not able to sing “For all the Saints,” but we listened to the recording and followed the words. Later, our guest vocalist, Furman professor Lisa Barksdale, sang texts drawn from Isaiah 61:10-11, and as we listened we could pray the words she sang:
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Unto the Lord shall I sing, for He hath clothed me with the garment of salvation.
Unto the Lord shall I sing, for He covered me with the robe of righteousness. As the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden is sown and springs forth, So shall the Lord cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before the nations. Unto the Lord shall I sing, For He hath clothed me with the garment of salvation. Unto the Lord shall I sing. (Musical setting by Daniel E. Gawthrop) |
This prayerful sung offering marked the first time that a congregation was present for live singing since March 8. The text was perfect for All Saints Day, and for those of us who take the words of Paul to heart.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. – Colossians 3:16
and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. – Colossians 3:16
*A short explanation as to why congregational singing is prohibited:
If someone is sick they expel viruses along with the aerosols they expel during singing and speaking. (Aerosols are droplets so fine that they float, and they carry the virus while floating.) This means any person who is sick, whether they have symptoms or not, can send the Covid-19 virus far beyond our usual 6-12 foot distancing guidelines. Our distancing guidelines were designed for protection from droplets, not aerosols. (Droplets are larger bits of expelled humidity that normally fall to the ground).
If someone is sick they expel viruses along with the aerosols they expel during singing and speaking. (Aerosols are droplets so fine that they float, and they carry the virus while floating.) This means any person who is sick, whether they have symptoms or not, can send the Covid-19 virus far beyond our usual 6-12 foot distancing guidelines. Our distancing guidelines were designed for protection from droplets, not aerosols. (Droplets are larger bits of expelled humidity that normally fall to the ground).
October 2020
Music Update
The St. James Choir met online for the first time on Sunday, Sept. 6, for a chance to catch up with each other and discuss our opportunities for the fall. Since then, we’ve met every Wednesday evening in September (7:30-8:30) over Zoom, and we’ve had a great time singing hymns and reviewing some of our favorite anthems! Each singer practices in their own home, because the time lag issues with the internet (latency) make it impossible to sing together online in real time. The choir members sing to the sound of the piano coming over their computer speaker, and they can hear me, but I can’t hear them - the singers must mute their computer input microphones, or the result is cacophony! Rehearsing in this way is not ideal, but we are so happy to be working on music together, and we hope to soon be able to meet in small groups to rehearse and record music for some of the upcoming services. But how does a Zoom rehearsal work?
At the September 30th rehearsal, we began by checking in with each other and welcoming back some choir members who were rejoining us for the first time since March. Several members shared prayer concerns, and then we had an opening prayer, which was the collect for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (celebrated Sept. 29). I then began the rehearsal by sharing, on each person’s screen, the YouTube video of the anthem “O Thou, the Central Orb,” by Charles Wood, as it was sung at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for The Diamond Jubilee Of Her Majesty, The Queen (June 5, 2012). You may listen to this wonderful anthem, and view the crowds of people, here: O Thou, The Central Orb.
During choir practice, some choir members use the printed music from their choir folders, but if they haven’t yet been able to pick their folders up from church, they can see the music on their computer screens as it is being shared (screen-sharing) during the Zoom rehearsals. The main part of the rehearsal consists of looking at the printed music and listening to the piano accompaniment to practice the separate voice parts and other details. At the end of last night’s rehearsal, the choir sang two of their anthems along with screen-shared videos. I, as the director, could not hear the choir members singing, but each choir member could practice their part while singing along with the choirs in the videos, perhaps imagining being with that choir in person, and not just virtually. The choirs we sang with last night were from Boston and London, and you may hear our anthems, sung by these wonderful choirs, here: ‘O God, Beyond All Praising’, and ‘Never, Weather-Beaten Sail’.
New members are always welcome to join the St. James Choir! It isn't too late to start attending Zoom rehearsals now, and we’d love to have you become a part of the ongoing conversation as we discuss our evolving plans for our music ministry.
At the September 30th rehearsal, we began by checking in with each other and welcoming back some choir members who were rejoining us for the first time since March. Several members shared prayer concerns, and then we had an opening prayer, which was the collect for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (celebrated Sept. 29). I then began the rehearsal by sharing, on each person’s screen, the YouTube video of the anthem “O Thou, the Central Orb,” by Charles Wood, as it was sung at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for The Diamond Jubilee Of Her Majesty, The Queen (June 5, 2012). You may listen to this wonderful anthem, and view the crowds of people, here: O Thou, The Central Orb.
During choir practice, some choir members use the printed music from their choir folders, but if they haven’t yet been able to pick their folders up from church, they can see the music on their computer screens as it is being shared (screen-sharing) during the Zoom rehearsals. The main part of the rehearsal consists of looking at the printed music and listening to the piano accompaniment to practice the separate voice parts and other details. At the end of last night’s rehearsal, the choir sang two of their anthems along with screen-shared videos. I, as the director, could not hear the choir members singing, but each choir member could practice their part while singing along with the choirs in the videos, perhaps imagining being with that choir in person, and not just virtually. The choirs we sang with last night were from Boston and London, and you may hear our anthems, sung by these wonderful choirs, here: ‘O God, Beyond All Praising’, and ‘Never, Weather-Beaten Sail’.
New members are always welcome to join the St. James Choir! It isn't too late to start attending Zoom rehearsals now, and we’d love to have you become a part of the ongoing conversation as we discuss our evolving plans for our music ministry.
Youth and Children's Choirs Update
Sadly, the youth and children’s choirs are not currently meeting in person due to restrictions on gatherings, and I have decided not to do on-line choir activities with the students due to the amount of time students already need to be online for school. However, despite this situation, we need to keep in mind the importance of teaching young people music, not just to learn songs for church, but to learn music as a language of feelings and emotion and as a way of self-expression and communication. I am excited that in planning for the time we are again able to meet, I have found a new music activity workbook series I am eager to incorporate into our regular choir activities. Until then, be on the lookout for an occasional email from me that will give you a music- or sound-based activity to do at home!
Music provides us with a language that can bring to the soul an understanding that lies beyond words, an unspoken spiritual insight into the intangible and unseen truths we experience every day. As they grow, if they have music, young people are given additional tools for learning about the world and its people. They can learn to express themselves from the heart. They can learn music easily, because like any language, it is learned most easily while we are young. Its importance is that this language – this gift – has from ancient times been deeply woven into our life in the Church. Its presence can help us connect to the mystery of the holy and to the sacred nature of humanity in community. This is true for everyone, but it is also the reason why young people need to have music included in their church experiences.
Keep an eye out for my emails, and have fun doing the music activities with your children! I look forward to the time when you will be able to bring them to choir, and they will be able to learn about music with their church friends.
If you have questions, please contact Karen Eshelman.
Music provides us with a language that can bring to the soul an understanding that lies beyond words, an unspoken spiritual insight into the intangible and unseen truths we experience every day. As they grow, if they have music, young people are given additional tools for learning about the world and its people. They can learn to express themselves from the heart. They can learn music easily, because like any language, it is learned most easily while we are young. Its importance is that this language – this gift – has from ancient times been deeply woven into our life in the Church. Its presence can help us connect to the mystery of the holy and to the sacred nature of humanity in community. This is true for everyone, but it is also the reason why young people need to have music included in their church experiences.
Keep an eye out for my emails, and have fun doing the music activities with your children! I look forward to the time when you will be able to bring them to choir, and they will be able to learn about music with their church friends.
If you have questions, please contact Karen Eshelman.
September 2020
Sung Prayers: Hymns, Psalms, and Chanting
Everyone is anxious for things to “get back to normal,” but sadly, the thing that would make church life feel the most normal to me is the one thing we can’t yet do – we can’t sing hymns together on Sunday mornings and the choir can’t get together to rehearse and sing their musical offerings for the service. Why do we care so much about singing, and why do we miss it so? The following passage by St. Augustine helps us to understand: "For [the one] who sings praises does not only praise, but also praises joyously; [the one] who sings praises is not only singing, but also loving Him whom he is singing about/to/for. There is a praise-filled public proclamation in the praises of the one who confesses or acknowledges [loves] God; in the song of the lover there is deep love." *
As we begin our fall calendar this year, we will do everything we can to get “back to normal,” doing so safely** and focusing on ways to keep learning and making music – so that when we are able to sing together we will be ready!
Plans are underway for all the following groups to have musical activities this fall. We will need to begin the year by using technology but will change our procedures as we are able. Times posted below are also subject to change.
Plans are underway for all the following groups to have musical activities this fall. We will need to begin the year by using technology but will change our procedures as we are able. Times posted below are also subject to change.
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Learn and Sing - Congregational Hymn Stories:
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After Labor Day each week will bring a short video featuring the history of a hymn and a recording of Karen playing the organ for you to sing along. More details soon.
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St. James Choir Kick-off Zoom Meeting – Sunday, Sept. 6 at 4 PM-5 PM
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Each choir member will receive an email with two special hymns along with your Zoom meeting invitation. We will sing a little bit, catch up with each other, and talk about plans for the fall and for Advent. Early sign-on available at 3:45 PM if you are new to Zoom and need an introduction.
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Choir practice for all ages begins September 9!
Tentative plans are posted below; email Karen Eshelman to sign up. (music@stjamesgreenville.org) Music workbooks will be ordered the last week of September.
- Children’s Choir (boys and girls grades 1-5)
- Youth Choir (students in middle school through high school; younger more experienced singers also accepted)
- St. James Parish Choir (adults, college students and experienced high school singers)
In closing, it is always interesting when we have to wrap plastic around the pipe organ to protect it from the dust of building renovations. Here are some photos of the plastic being taking down last week.
* Passage by Augustine is based on a translation by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
(http://wdtprs.com/blog/2006/06/who-sings-well-prays-twice-not/)
** Over the summer I have spent a good deal of time reading peer-reviewed scientific articles, and I have watched various panel discussions concerning how to make singing safer. Over the past 5 months, the understanding of how the corona-virus is transmitted has come to focus a great deal on the very small droplets called aerosols that hang in the air and are carried on air currents before dissipating or falling to the ground. Aerosols pose more of a danger indoors because of close quarters and inadequate ventilation; outdoors they are less of a risk mostly because of the free flow of air. In the current local situation, with widespread transmission of the virus occurring, physical distancing and masks are still required in out-of-door group settings.
(http://wdtprs.com/blog/2006/06/who-sings-well-prays-twice-not/)
** Over the summer I have spent a good deal of time reading peer-reviewed scientific articles, and I have watched various panel discussions concerning how to make singing safer. Over the past 5 months, the understanding of how the corona-virus is transmitted has come to focus a great deal on the very small droplets called aerosols that hang in the air and are carried on air currents before dissipating or falling to the ground. Aerosols pose more of a danger indoors because of close quarters and inadequate ventilation; outdoors they are less of a risk mostly because of the free flow of air. In the current local situation, with widespread transmission of the virus occurring, physical distancing and masks are still required in out-of-door group settings.
August 2020
Faith, Hope, and Love. And Joy.
When I donned my mask and began practicing the organ again at the end of April, I was so sad when I saw the remnants of our choir season still written on the choir room chalkboard. It had last been updated on March 11, which turned out to be the day of our last rehearsal of the spring. It hit me hard, seeing the list of music that had been planned for Lent and Easter, and remembering that at the time, we thought we might be closing the church for a period of just two weeks. As the weeks have grown into months, along with our struggle to adapt to new ways of being the church (and always, despite our sadness at not being able to sing together), there have been occasions for joy and for the nourishing of faith.
Thanks to the work of Ed Snape and Father Stephen, we have been able to use some of our archived video and sound recordings from years past for our festival services, which has enabled us to hear the full congregation and choir singing hymns and anthems accompanied by the organ. Later, I got my feet wet working with the Audacity application, and I was able to edit the archived 2018 Youth Sunday CD recordings to help create a service dedicated to our graduates, using several congregational hymns and the recording of the Youth Choir singing one of their favorite anthems, “Prayer Litany.” That service, which also includes the graduates’ video created by our Youth and Children’s Minister, Tina Boyd, can be accessed here.
The St. James choir was able to participate in “The Big ‘Music Sunday’ Service,” a celebratory service that was live-streamed from the UK on June 14. Members of the St. James Choir practiced ahead of time and then joined in with the hymns, songs and responses while watching at home. The music, homily, and readings all spoke to the importance of music and choirs in our worship, and featured participant choirs from around the world. I encourage everyone to watch the video of this lovely and inspiring service here. (There is a congregational bulletin available in the comments on the YouTube page.)
Looking to the future, as I have been learning to use some of the basic techniques of sound editing while preparing the sound files of my organ recordings, I have begun thinking of the possibility of learning to edit video and sound files together in order to help the congregation construct a virtual hymn, or to enable the choir to construct a virtual anthem.
Lastly, I have been revisiting works by Black composers from my own organ repertoire; I have also begun writing a short biography of each composer to include in the Sunday announcements. Below are the biographies of two composers whose music was recently heard, Noel Da Costa and Florence B. Price.
Thanks to the work of Ed Snape and Father Stephen, we have been able to use some of our archived video and sound recordings from years past for our festival services, which has enabled us to hear the full congregation and choir singing hymns and anthems accompanied by the organ. Later, I got my feet wet working with the Audacity application, and I was able to edit the archived 2018 Youth Sunday CD recordings to help create a service dedicated to our graduates, using several congregational hymns and the recording of the Youth Choir singing one of their favorite anthems, “Prayer Litany.” That service, which also includes the graduates’ video created by our Youth and Children’s Minister, Tina Boyd, can be accessed here.
The St. James choir was able to participate in “The Big ‘Music Sunday’ Service,” a celebratory service that was live-streamed from the UK on June 14. Members of the St. James Choir practiced ahead of time and then joined in with the hymns, songs and responses while watching at home. The music, homily, and readings all spoke to the importance of music and choirs in our worship, and featured participant choirs from around the world. I encourage everyone to watch the video of this lovely and inspiring service here. (There is a congregational bulletin available in the comments on the YouTube page.)
Looking to the future, as I have been learning to use some of the basic techniques of sound editing while preparing the sound files of my organ recordings, I have begun thinking of the possibility of learning to edit video and sound files together in order to help the congregation construct a virtual hymn, or to enable the choir to construct a virtual anthem.
Lastly, I have been revisiting works by Black composers from my own organ repertoire; I have also begun writing a short biography of each composer to include in the Sunday announcements. Below are the biographies of two composers whose music was recently heard, Noel Da Costa and Florence B. Price.
“Round About the Mountain,” (from July 5 and repeated on July 19):
- Noel Da Costa, the composer of this morning’s prelude, was born in Nigeria of Jamaican parentage. His family later moved back to Jamaica, and when he was eleven the family moved to the United States. He was educated at Queens College (CUNY) and Columbia University; he also won the Seidl Fellowship in Music Composition and later studied composition in Florence, Italy under a Fulbright award. Da Costa served as Professor of Music in the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University from 1970 until his death.
- Florence B. Price, the composer of this morning’s prelude, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1887. By age 14 she had graduated as valedictorian from her high school and had begun attending the New England Conservatory of Music, where she majored in piano and organ, studied music composition, and earned a teaching certificate. Her career was based in Atlanta, Little Rock, and later, Chicago. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra premiered her Symphony in E Minor on June 15, 1933, making Price’s piece the first composition by an African-American woman to be played by a major orchestra. Her many compositions include four symphonies, three piano concertos, a violin concerto, chamber works, organ works, art songs, choral music, piano pieces, and spiritual arrangements. Price dedicated several of her spiritual arrangements to her friend, the singer Marian Anderson, who performed them often and included them in her landmark concert – sung for an audience of 75,000 – at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, 1939.
July 2020
Singing at Home
On June 14 the St. James Choir was able to participate in the Royal School of Church Music’s celebratory virtual church service called “The Big Music Sunday Service.” Live-streamed from the UK, St. James choir members were able to participate in real time by practicing the music ahead of time and then joining in with the hymns, songs and responses while watching the service at home. The Royal School of Church Music – of which St. James is a member – designed the service for Music Sunday, an annual church festival observed in the UK. The RSCM created practice recordings for each voice part, which I distributed to each singer. At 1:00 PM on June 14 (6 PM in the UK) we watched the live-stream and became part of a worldwide choir, praising God together. It was not the same as being able to sing together in person, but it did help to know that many singers, from all around the world, were joining in with the service at the same time. We had the opportunity to sing and hear celebratory hymns and choir anthems, as well as readings and a homily, all of which spoke to the importance of music and choirs in our worship. I encourage everyone to watch the video of this lovely and uplifting service, which is now available to watch at “RSCM Music Sunday” . There is also a congregational bulletin available at “Music Sunday Bulletin”.
And for anyone who likes to sing or listen to hymns, for several weeks The Royal School of Church Music has been posting a Hymn for the Day on YouTube. I invite you to look over the accumulated playlist at “Hymns Playlist”. There are about 70 hymns to choose from!
And for anyone who likes to sing or listen to hymns, for several weeks The Royal School of Church Music has been posting a Hymn for the Day on YouTube. I invite you to look over the accumulated playlist at “Hymns Playlist”. There are about 70 hymns to choose from!
June 2020
Music Sunday, June 14, 2020
To celebrate the role of music and musicians in the life of the Church, each year The Royal School of Church Music – of which St. James is a member – celebrates Music Sunday. Normally celebrated in churches in the U.K., this year the RSCM is creating a virtual service for choirs, congregations, friends and families around the world.
‘The Big Music Sunday Service’ will be live-streamed on the RSCM Centre YouTube channel on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. in the U.K.).
The Very Revd Dr John Hall, RSCM Chair of Council, will lead the service, during which you will hear choirs from home and abroad. The St. James Choir has been signed up to participate, and choir members are being sent .pdf copies of the music, along with practice tracks, in order to be able to join in with the hymns, songs and responses while watching at home. Please join the RSCM on June 14 for this special service celebrating our choirs. Even though we are watching a live-stream and participating virtually, the service will be a beautiful and moving statement of the importance of music and choirs in our worship. If, in addition to watching, you would like also to sing along, you may become an Honorary St. James Choir Member. Simply contact Karen Eshelman to receive the choral music scores and practice tracks.
The Big Music Sunday Service booklet begins with these words: “Music is such an important part of worship in church. Who, if any of us, could possibly have imagined that a complete ‘general pause’ in liturgical music would be a possibility, never mind the reality we are currently living through. To celebrate Music Sunday is not an anomaly this year. It is an opportunity to shine a spotlight upon the faithful musicians of countless church communities, giving thanks to God for all they have done to this point, are still doing as best they can, and will do again when we eventually emerge into the radiant light from this darkness. In the current climate, being able to support, uphold and encourage them is of huge importance. These resources will draw people together in worship, even if the people of God remain physically scattered. Music can unite us, even across cyberspace. As it says in the hymn The Day Thou Gavest: ‘The voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away’. Amen!”
The Big Music Sunday Service booklet begins with these words: “Music is such an important part of worship in church. Who, if any of us, could possibly have imagined that a complete ‘general pause’ in liturgical music would be a possibility, never mind the reality we are currently living through. To celebrate Music Sunday is not an anomaly this year. It is an opportunity to shine a spotlight upon the faithful musicians of countless church communities, giving thanks to God for all they have done to this point, are still doing as best they can, and will do again when we eventually emerge into the radiant light from this darkness. In the current climate, being able to support, uphold and encourage them is of huge importance. These resources will draw people together in worship, even if the people of God remain physically scattered. Music can unite us, even across cyberspace. As it says in the hymn The Day Thou Gavest: ‘The voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away’. Amen!”
Music to be sung:
The Royal School of Church Music is an ecumenical Christian charity, committed to achieving the best use of good music in worship – whatever the resources, whatever the styles. Through education, training, publications, advice and encouragement, we aim to support church music today and to invest in church music for the future.
- Hymn – Angel Voices Ever Singing
- Anglican Chant – Psalm 150, setting by C. V. Stanford
- Anthem – I Will Sing With the Spirit, by John Rutter
- Hymn – There is a Higher Throne
- Gospel Canticle – Song of Mary, setting by Margaret Rizza
- Commissioned Anthem – Hymns, Psalms, and Sacred Songs, by Thomas Hewitt Jones
- Intercessions Response – Ukuthula (Peace), traditional Zulu words and music
- Hymn – How Shall I Sing That Majesty
- Anthem – Jubilate in B-Flat, by C. V. Stanford
The Royal School of Church Music is an ecumenical Christian charity, committed to achieving the best use of good music in worship – whatever the resources, whatever the styles. Through education, training, publications, advice and encouragement, we aim to support church music today and to invest in church music for the future.
April 2020
Choir Reinvented
In normal times much of the work of the choir is hidden, or “invisible” to the congregation. This is because the planning, rehearsals, and the weekly music practice with choir friends all take place outside of the worship service. What the congregation sees and hears, in normal times, is the fruit of this hidden work. This fruit, presented by the choir, is an offering of praise to God and a gift given on behalf of the whole congregation. In truth, not only the fruit, but every bit of the hidden work that nurtures the growth of the fruit is also part of this offering to God.
These are not normal times. So, the question is, during these difficult and not normal times, what is the work of the choir? What gift of praise is the choir able to offer? How is it possible to BE a choir if we cannot meet weekly to plan and learn music, and to make music together on Sundays?
The answer is that the hidden, invisible work of the choir has changed: it is as hidden as before, but our ministry is having to be reinvented, for a time, and we are still figuring it out. Here are some of the things that members of the St. James Choir have been doing to be together:
We don’t like this season of being apart, but we can consider it to also be a time during which we become more aware of and cherish the different ways in which we are connected. Each singer knows that when we join to sing together, we are connected and become a choir – but beyond that, we also know that singing together in a choir creates a “whole that is larger than the sum of its parts.” Having experienced this truth, we, the choir, are continuing to nurture that “larger whole” even though we are having to find different ways to communicate, to share our love of the art and expression of music, and to carry out our devotion to Jesus Christ and the Church.
These are not normal times. So, the question is, during these difficult and not normal times, what is the work of the choir? What gift of praise is the choir able to offer? How is it possible to BE a choir if we cannot meet weekly to plan and learn music, and to make music together on Sundays?
The answer is that the hidden, invisible work of the choir has changed: it is as hidden as before, but our ministry is having to be reinvented, for a time, and we are still figuring it out. Here are some of the things that members of the St. James Choir have been doing to be together:
- We have email conversations to update each other on our current home and work situations
- We are making phone calls just to check on each other.
- We share prayer concerns, and we remember especially the choir members who are helping take care of the sick and the homeless and who are worried about the health of family members
- Since we love music, we are sharing information about church music and free concerts being streamed online
- Lastly, some choir members participated in the creation of a special Easter anthem for Washington National Cathedral! (Each person sent in a selfie solo video of their part in the Cathedral’s Easter anthem; the recording engineer is creating a film montage of all the separate videos for Easter at the Cathedral.)
We don’t like this season of being apart, but we can consider it to also be a time during which we become more aware of and cherish the different ways in which we are connected. Each singer knows that when we join to sing together, we are connected and become a choir – but beyond that, we also know that singing together in a choir creates a “whole that is larger than the sum of its parts.” Having experienced this truth, we, the choir, are continuing to nurture that “larger whole” even though we are having to find different ways to communicate, to share our love of the art and expression of music, and to carry out our devotion to Jesus Christ and the Church.
March 2020
Sound, Silence, and Prayer
Just as music is made up of a mixture of sounds and silence, so also is our worship liturgy made up of a combination of sound and silence. The sounds of our worship as expressed in the proclamation of the Word and in singing God’s praises are highlighted and brought into focus by the contrast of quiet time spent in reflection and prayer. During Lent, there are more places for silence during the service; this provides us with more time for reflection and prayer and reminds us of the meditative and inward aspects of the season. But regardless of the time of year, our inherent need for silence and prayer is described in these lines from the book Songs and Prayers from Taizé
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“When we try to express communion with God in words, we rapidly reach the end of our capacities. But in the depths of our being Christ is praying, far more than we imagine…Although God never stops trying to communicate with us, God never wants to impose anything on us. Often God’s voice comes in a whisper, in a breath of silence. Remaining in silence in God’s presence, open to the spirit, is already prayer.
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The Traditional Service of Tenebrae
On the Wednesday of Holy Week, April 8, at 7:00 PM, St. James will offer a traditional service of Tenebrae. Because this term is used for a variety of Holy Week services and concerts, what follows is some history and a description of what you will experience at the traditional Tenebrae service at St. James.
“Tenebrae” is the Latin name for the prayer services of Matins and Lauds as they are chanted in the monastery during the last three days of Holy Week. “Tenebrae” derives from the Latin for “darkness” or “shadows.” Matins and Lauds are normally said very early in the morning – about 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. – so beginning in the Middle Ages, during Holy Week these offices were moved to the previous evening to make it possible for laypeople to join the monks in their Holy Week meditations.
The distinctive feature of the traditional Tenebrae service is the gradual extinguishing of fourteen candles, along with any other lights in the church, so that the service ends in complete darkness. The extinguishing of the candles is interspersed with the chanting of several psalms and readings from scripture. Near the end of the service, the only candle that is still burning (the Christ candle) is hidden from view. In the darkness, the Good Friday collect is read, symbolizing the Crucifixion. A sudden loud noise is heard, representing the earthquake at the time of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:2). After a short time, the hidden burning candle, representing Christ, is returned to the altar, and there follows a short time of silent prayer. Silence is observed while the choir and clergy, followed by the congregation, leave the church.
The service of Tenebrae provides time to suspend our busy-ness and quiet our anxious concerns and thoughts. It give us a dedicated time to embrace silence in order to create room for God to speak in our hearts. Tenebrae provides “an extended meditation upon, and a prelude to, the events of our Lord’s life between the Last Supper and the Resurrection” (Book of Occasional Services).
February 2020
‘Amazing Grace’ and its South Carolina Connection
The hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ is one of the world’s most well-known and beloved hymns. The verses were written in 1772 by the Reverend John Newton, as part of a collection of poems he and William Cowper wrote as a source for preaching. The inspiration for the verses comes from Newton’s early years: as a young man, he had been employed first as a servant on a slave ship and later as a slave ship captain. Because of his experiences at sea, he underwent a change both in his politics – he became an avid abolitionist – and in the depth of his Christian faith. At age 30, Newton became employed as a clerk at the Port of Liverpool, during which time he began to study for the ministry. He was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church in 1764, first serving the parish of Olney (near Cambridge, England) for fifteen years, and then serving at St. Mary Woolnoth in London for the remaining 28 years of his life.
I decided to select just a couple of ideas from the vast amount of information available about this hymn. First, I found that the last two verses of Newton’s original poem are not in our hymnal, while the final verse that is in our hymnal is by John Rees, not John Newton. Remarkably, those three verses happen to appear in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The order of the verses is changed so that Tom sings the original verse 6, then verse 5, followed by the additional verse by Rees:
I decided to select just a couple of ideas from the vast amount of information available about this hymn. First, I found that the last two verses of Newton’s original poem are not in our hymnal, while the final verse that is in our hymnal is by John Rees, not John Newton. Remarkably, those three verses happen to appear in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The order of the verses is changed so that Tom sings the original verse 6, then verse 5, followed by the additional verse by Rees:
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.
Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.
Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
The Music for “Amazing Grace”
The tune we immediately begin humming when we think of the hymn “Amazing Grace” is named ‘New Britain,’ but early on, several other tunes were used instead. Soon after John Newton wrote the poem in 1772, the verses began to be sung to pre-existing hymn tunes and folk songs such as ‘In the Pines,’ ‘Pisgah,’ ‘Primrose,’ and ‘Evan.’ The music we know as ‘New Britain’ doesn’t appear in print until 1829 and 1831 in two shape-note hymnals; first in The Columbian Harmony (1829) to the text "Arise, my soul, my joyful pow'rs," and soon after in The Virginia Harmony (1831), to the Isaac Watts hymn "There is a land of pure delight,” (but here the tune appears with a different name - ‘Harmony Grove’).
The first time “Amazing Grace” appears in print with the tune ‘New Britain’ – the tune we know – is in the 1847 edition of William Walker’s hymnal, The Southern Harmony. William “Singin’ Billy” Walker was born in 1809 in Union County, South Carolina. He became a resident of Spartanburg, where he directed vocal music at First Baptist Church and ran a downtown bookstore. In 1835, Walker published the first edition of his shape-note hymnal entitled The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Beginning in the early 1900’s, Walker’s version of “Amazing Grace” (from the original 1847 edition) was arranged and published in several hymnals by Edwin O. Excell, and it is Excell’s arrangement of William Walker’s pairing of text and tune that is found in most hymnals today.
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Go here to see a SCETV’s short video on “Singin’ Billy” and shape-note singing. http://www.theofficialschalloffame.com/directlink.html?id=84
The Cowper and Newton Museum in England has a website with information on John Newton and Amazing Grace. Follow these links to see two of the available pages: John Newton https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/john-newton-1725-1807/ and Amazing Grace https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/amazing-grace/
In addition, the book Amazing Grace: The Story of America's Most Beloved Song by Steve Turner is available to read free at the Greenville County Library.
The first time “Amazing Grace” appears in print with the tune ‘New Britain’ – the tune we know – is in the 1847 edition of William Walker’s hymnal, The Southern Harmony. William “Singin’ Billy” Walker was born in 1809 in Union County, South Carolina. He became a resident of Spartanburg, where he directed vocal music at First Baptist Church and ran a downtown bookstore. In 1835, Walker published the first edition of his shape-note hymnal entitled The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Beginning in the early 1900’s, Walker’s version of “Amazing Grace” (from the original 1847 edition) was arranged and published in several hymnals by Edwin O. Excell, and it is Excell’s arrangement of William Walker’s pairing of text and tune that is found in most hymnals today.
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Go here to see a SCETV’s short video on “Singin’ Billy” and shape-note singing. http://www.theofficialschalloffame.com/directlink.html?id=84
The Cowper and Newton Museum in England has a website with information on John Newton and Amazing Grace. Follow these links to see two of the available pages: John Newton https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/john-newton-1725-1807/ and Amazing Grace https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/amazing-grace/
In addition, the book Amazing Grace: The Story of America's Most Beloved Song by Steve Turner is available to read free at the Greenville County Library.
November 2019
Call for Student Instrumentalists
Students who play in school orchestra or band or who take private guitar or piano lessons are invited to play their instruments for the prelude of the 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Students can prepare Christmas carols to share, either as soloists or in small groups. In the past we have had duets and small ensembles of strings players (violin, viola, cello, double bass), solos and duets by brass players, and solos for guitar and for piano. Dr. Karen Eshelman meets with interested students to help them prepare their musical offering. Planning for these services is currently underway; students and parents who are interested should contact Karen by Monday, November 18, or as soon as possible.
Thanksgiving Eve–Singing the Hymns of Thanksgiving
When you hear “We gather together,” or “Come, ye thankful people, come,” there is no mistaking that we are talking about hymns that have become associated almost entirely with Thanksgiving Day. At our traditional Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 21, at 6:30 we will sing “Come, ye thankful people, come” (#290), “Praise to God, immortal praise” (#288), “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing” (#433), “Father, we thank thee who hast planted” (#302), and “Now thank we all our God” (#397). Bring your family, friends, and neighbors, and start your Thanksgiving celebration at St. James!
Advent Lessons and Carols at St. James
The eleventh annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols will be held at St. James on Sunday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. The service is modeled on the Advent Carol Service that was created and sung for the first time in 1934 at the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. This Advent service was inspired by the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which was also created at King’s College, first being sung on Christmas Eve, 1918. Today at King’s College the Advent Carol Service is traditionally held on the First Sunday of Advent, known also as Advent Sunday. The Christmas service of Lessons and Carols is traditionally held on Christmas Eve, and is broadcast worldwide, live from King’s: it can be heard locally on public radio beginning at 9 AM on December 24.
Advent Lessons and Carols is quite different from a Christmas lessons and carols service. The lessons for Advent include Scripture readings about John the Baptist in the wilderness, Mary and the Annunciation, and the Second Coming of Christ, but nothing about Bethlehem or the manger. In addition to readings from Scripture, there are readings of poetry and other writings that reflect on Scripture; our tradition of including poetry and other readings along with Scripture was inspired by the Procession of Carols for Advent Sunday as sung at Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Oregon. The readings, which focus on hope, justice, reconciliation, and peace, among other Advent themes, are interspersed with carols and anthems sung by the adult and youth choirs.
In addition to readings and choir anthems, the congregation also has the opportunity to sing Advent hymns such as “Hark, a Thrilling Voice is Sounding” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The readings, hymns, and anthems of this beautiful candlelit liturgy provide us with a respite from the manic and materialistic preparations for Christmas that can so easily inundate our days, giving us a chance instead to sit for an hour to pray and reflect on the mystery and anticipation of Christ’s coming. Come and bring your friends to this free event! A reception follows the service.
Karen Eshelman
Advent Lessons and Carols is quite different from a Christmas lessons and carols service. The lessons for Advent include Scripture readings about John the Baptist in the wilderness, Mary and the Annunciation, and the Second Coming of Christ, but nothing about Bethlehem or the manger. In addition to readings from Scripture, there are readings of poetry and other writings that reflect on Scripture; our tradition of including poetry and other readings along with Scripture was inspired by the Procession of Carols for Advent Sunday as sung at Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Oregon. The readings, which focus on hope, justice, reconciliation, and peace, among other Advent themes, are interspersed with carols and anthems sung by the adult and youth choirs.
In addition to readings and choir anthems, the congregation also has the opportunity to sing Advent hymns such as “Hark, a Thrilling Voice is Sounding” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The readings, hymns, and anthems of this beautiful candlelit liturgy provide us with a respite from the manic and materialistic preparations for Christmas that can so easily inundate our days, giving us a chance instead to sit for an hour to pray and reflect on the mystery and anticipation of Christ’s coming. Come and bring your friends to this free event! A reception follows the service.
Karen Eshelman
October 2019
Singers needed for the
St. James Children's and Youth Choirs
Choir practice for our children’s and youth choirs are now set to begin Wednesday, October 16. All St. James boys and girls, as well as young men and women, are eligible to join.
- Children's Choir – Practice is on Wednesdays, 3:15 – 4:00 p.m., for boys and girls in grades 1-5.
- Youth Choir – Practice is on Wednesdays, 4:15 – 5:15 p.m., for middle and high school students.
The Children’s Choir
Boys and girls in the St. James Children’s Choir learn the basics of singing and reading music; and they are introduced to the prayer book and hymnal. This choir sings at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service 3-4 times a year, learning to walk in procession along with the servers, clergy, and choir at the beginning of the service.
The Children’s Choir has a flexible structure to accommodate all students in grades 1 – 5: when necessary a beginning section is available for the youngest singers and an advanced section is available for those in higher grades or with more choir experience. Each section practices alone, with the two rehearsals overlapping in the middle to enable the two groups to practice together. In addition, the more experienced members of the Children’s Choir sometimes sing with the Youth Choir, forming the Treble Choir. Specific (Wednesday) starting times for this choir can be arranged by consensus with the families who want to participate.
The Children’s Choir has a flexible structure to accommodate all students in grades 1 – 5: when necessary a beginning section is available for the youngest singers and an advanced section is available for those in higher grades or with more choir experience. Each section practices alone, with the two rehearsals overlapping in the middle to enable the two groups to practice together. In addition, the more experienced members of the Children’s Choir sometimes sing with the Youth Choir, forming the Treble Choir. Specific (Wednesday) starting times for this choir can be arranged by consensus with the families who want to participate.
The Youth Choir
The Youth Choir rehearses their own music as well as parts for some of the St. James Choir music; in addition to singing on their own this enables them to sometimes join with the St. James Choir for Sunday anthems. The director’s choice of music for this choir depends on the voice ranges of the choir members who join (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone). This choir will sing for the 10:30 a.m. service about every 3-4 weeks, (for the prelude, offertory, or at communion), sharing a varied repertoire that includes standard and newly composed hymns, spirituals and anthems. The Youth Choir’s singing is a high point of our yearly Advent Lessons and Carols service. New choir members may join at any time during the year, and students may bring school friends to join the choir with them.
Consider how your young or older children might become involved in learning music at St. James. There is a choir for every age group, and fun with music awaits every child who joins! We want to grow our choirs! I am available after church to answer questions about our choir program, or you may contact me at music@stjamesgreenville.org to find out more.
Karen Eshelman
Consider how your young or older children might become involved in learning music at St. James. There is a choir for every age group, and fun with music awaits every child who joins! We want to grow our choirs! I am available after church to answer questions about our choir program, or you may contact me at music@stjamesgreenville.org to find out more.
Karen Eshelman
September 2019
Choir practice for all ages begins September 4!
St. James Children's and Youth Choirs
Choir practice for children’s and youth choirs begin this Wednesday, Sept. 4. All St. James children and youth are eligible to join. Practice time for the Children's Choir (1st-5th grades) is 3:15-4:00 PM, and practice for the Youth Choir (middle and high school students) is 4:15-5:15 PM.
St. James Choir
Our parish choir, also known as the St. James Choir, sings for the 10:30 Sunday services from early September through the Feast of Pentecost. In addition, the choir sings for festival services on Christmas and Easter and for special services during Lent and Holy Week. We welcome new singers to join us! Rehearsals start this Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Choir practice for children’s and youth choirs begin this Wednesday, Sept. 4. All St. James children and youth are eligible to join. Practice time for the Children's Choir (1st-5th grades) is 3:15-4:00 PM, and practice for the Youth Choir (middle and high school students) is 4:15-5:15 PM.
St. James Choir
Our parish choir, also known as the St. James Choir, sings for the 10:30 Sunday services from early September through the Feast of Pentecost. In addition, the choir sings for festival services on Christmas and Easter and for special services during Lent and Holy Week. We welcome new singers to join us! Rehearsals start this Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
- Children's Choir – Practice is on Wednesdays, 3:15-4:00 PM, for boys and girls in grades 1-5.
- Youth Choir – Practice is on Wednesdays, 4:15 – 5:15 PM, for middle and high school students. This choir will rehearse their own music as well as soprano and alto parts for some of the St. James Choir music, so that in addition to singing on their own they will often be able to join with the St. James Choir for Sunday anthems.
- St. James Choir – Practice is on Wednesdays, 7:30 – 9 PM for adults and high school students. New singers are always welcome to join our parish choir. We help all choir members learn to read music, and we aid learning by making recordings available whenever possible. We are looking for additional singers in all sections, and we especially encourage high school young men and women to join us. Prospective members are invited to attend the Music Retreat and Choir Kick-off on August 24. Meet new friends and experience church in a new way! Regular Wednesday night rehearsals begin Sept. 4.
Contact Karen at music@stjamesgreenville.org to find out more.
August 2019
St. James Music Retreat and Choir Kick-off – August 24
Our annual St. James Choir music retreat will be held on Saturday, August 24 from 9 AM – 2 PM. If you have thought about joining the choir, this event is a great way to get to know everyone and to get a head start on our fall music. We meet at the church and rehearse in the choir room, sing in the church with the organ, and have a delicious make-your-own sandwich buffet for our lunch break. We’d love for you to join us!
Questions? Contact Karen Eshelman at music@stjamesgreenville.org. Regular Wednesday evening rehearsals begin on Sept. 4 (after Labor Day) and run from 7:30-9:00 PM.
Karen Eshelman
Questions? Contact Karen Eshelman at music@stjamesgreenville.org. Regular Wednesday evening rehearsals begin on Sept. 4 (after Labor Day) and run from 7:30-9:00 PM.
Karen Eshelman
July 2019
Sing a Song of Freedom
On Sunday, July 7, we will observe Independence Day by singing several hymns that mark the occasion. The opening processional, “God of our fathers,” was written by Daniel C. Roberts in 1876 for a centennial Independence Day celebration. It acquired its current tune a few years later, when for the centennial celebration of the Constitution, George W. Warren wrote the tune ‘National Hymn’ specifically for these words.
The text of hymn #599, “Lift every voice and sing,” is a poem written by James Weldon Johnson in 1899. The five hundred students of the Edwin M. Stanton Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida introduced the poem to the public by reciting it en masse at the school’s celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Feb. 12, 1900. The guest of honor that day was Booker T. Washington, who at the age of 48 was well known as a powerful speaker who promoted African-American education on his tours around the country. James Weldon Johnson's younger brother, John Rosamond Johnson, had studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and was active as a singer and composer. Five years after its first public recitation, J. Rosamond composed the music for his brother's poem. Once set to music, the popularity of the song grew quickly. By the 1920s copies of the Johnson brothers’ hymn could be found pasted into the hymnals in African-American churches across the country. In the 1960s, during the civil rights movement, the song experienced a rebirth, and by the 1970s the anthem was often sung in succession with “The Star-Spangled Banner” at public events and performances across the United States.
“This is my song, O God of all the nations,” is a hymn with two authors that is sung to the tune ‘Finlandia,’ composed by Jean Sibelius. The first two stanzas were written by Lloyd Stone (1912-1993), a poet and song-writer who was born in California. After majoring in music at the University of Southern California, instead of going on to teach music, Stone joined a traveling circus that was headed to Hawaii. Once in Hawaii, he stayed – spending the rest of his life there. These two stanzas, written in 1934, comprise Stone’s best-known work. The third stanza of “This is my song” is by the American theologian Georgia Elma Harkness (1891-1974), who was the first woman to teach theology in an American seminary. She wrote over 30 books in her lifetime, and taught philosophy and theology at Mount Holyoke, the Garrett Biblical Institute (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary), and the Pacific School of Religion.
The text of hymn #599, “Lift every voice and sing,” is a poem written by James Weldon Johnson in 1899. The five hundred students of the Edwin M. Stanton Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida introduced the poem to the public by reciting it en masse at the school’s celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Feb. 12, 1900. The guest of honor that day was Booker T. Washington, who at the age of 48 was well known as a powerful speaker who promoted African-American education on his tours around the country. James Weldon Johnson's younger brother, John Rosamond Johnson, had studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and was active as a singer and composer. Five years after its first public recitation, J. Rosamond composed the music for his brother's poem. Once set to music, the popularity of the song grew quickly. By the 1920s copies of the Johnson brothers’ hymn could be found pasted into the hymnals in African-American churches across the country. In the 1960s, during the civil rights movement, the song experienced a rebirth, and by the 1970s the anthem was often sung in succession with “The Star-Spangled Banner” at public events and performances across the United States.
“This is my song, O God of all the nations,” is a hymn with two authors that is sung to the tune ‘Finlandia,’ composed by Jean Sibelius. The first two stanzas were written by Lloyd Stone (1912-1993), a poet and song-writer who was born in California. After majoring in music at the University of Southern California, instead of going on to teach music, Stone joined a traveling circus that was headed to Hawaii. Once in Hawaii, he stayed – spending the rest of his life there. These two stanzas, written in 1934, comprise Stone’s best-known work. The third stanza of “This is my song” is by the American theologian Georgia Elma Harkness (1891-1974), who was the first woman to teach theology in an American seminary. She wrote over 30 books in her lifetime, and taught philosophy and theology at Mount Holyoke, the Garrett Biblical Institute (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary), and the Pacific School of Religion.
Summer Musicians – You Are Invited
While our St. James choirs take a break during the summer months, members of the congregation are invited to share their musical gifts by playing or singing as part of our Sunday worship services. Musicians may play before the service (prelude) or perform a short song or hymn during the offertory. Music at the offertory can be sung by a soloist, duet, or other small group - or it can be a short piece of instrumental music. The prelude is usually about 4-5 minutes in length, and the offertory is about 2-3 minutes in length.
All ages are invited to participate! If you are a singer or instrumentalist who would like to prepare something for a service, I am available to help you choose music and I will set up times to practice with you. See the chart posted outside the choir room to find an open date, and then see me after church or email me (music@stjamesgreenville.org) to be added to the schedule.
Vocal music can be simply taken from the Episcopal hymnal and supplemental hymnals. These sources have music that we don’t do as congregational hymns that would be lovely to share as a solo or duet. For example, some possibilities found in the Hymnal 1982 are #673 (The first one ever, oh ever to know), #517 (How lovely is thy dwelling-place), #549 (Jesus calls us), #570 (All who love and serve your city), and #8 (Morning has broken). I’d be happy to meet with you after church to help you select something.
Karen Eshelman
All ages are invited to participate! If you are a singer or instrumentalist who would like to prepare something for a service, I am available to help you choose music and I will set up times to practice with you. See the chart posted outside the choir room to find an open date, and then see me after church or email me (music@stjamesgreenville.org) to be added to the schedule.
Vocal music can be simply taken from the Episcopal hymnal and supplemental hymnals. These sources have music that we don’t do as congregational hymns that would be lovely to share as a solo or duet. For example, some possibilities found in the Hymnal 1982 are #673 (The first one ever, oh ever to know), #517 (How lovely is thy dwelling-place), #549 (Jesus calls us), #570 (All who love and serve your city), and #8 (Morning has broken). I’d be happy to meet with you after church to help you select something.
Karen Eshelman
May 2019
‘Appalachia – A Southeastern Wind Symphony’
Free Concert at St. James on Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Appalachia is a new instrumental ensemble conducted by recent Furman graduate Logan Campbell. Their May 4 concert at St. James, entitled “Around the World in 80 Minutes,” features music by composers from many lands, including Russia, Italy, Ireland, Iran, and Australia. This new ensemble is made up of woodwinds, brass and percussion players from several universities in the southeastern U.S. In addition to conducting, Logan Campbell is also a bass vocalist and an oboist; he occasionally played and sang at St. James while he was attending Furman. Their concert on the evening of May 4 is free and open to the public.
2018-2019 St. James Choral Scholars Recognition
The St. James Choral Scholars will be recognized with a special coffee hour on May 5 after the 10:30 a.m. service. Come wish them the best as they complete this year’s final exams and prepare for their summer activities! This year’s choral scholars are Ben Connelly, Mary Jo McCormick, Emma Mehigan, and Sariah Warth. The St. James Choral Scholars program gives selected Furman students the opportunity to become familiar with and appreciative of the Episcopal/Anglican tradition, preparing them to serve the Church and the world. Click here to read more about the Choral Scholars program.
St. James Youth and Children’s Choir News
The St. James youth choir will finish up their year by singing on May 12 at 10:30 AM as part of the youth service. Their anthem will be “Love is Come Again,” a setting of the Easter carol “Now the Green Blade Riseth.” The St. James children’s choir will also sing May 12, sharing “Feed My Lambs” by Natalie Sleeth and a setting of the Swedish hymn “Thy Holy Wings.”
2019-2020 Choirs for Children and Youth
Plan now to have your children be a part of a choir at St. James beginning in the fall. If your child enjoys singing at home, he/she will do well in choir. In addition to singing, children in choir learn about teamwork and about participating in worship – and most importantly, children learn to live their faith when they sing about it together!
- The Children’s Choir has a flexible structure designed to accommodate both young children and older elementary students, K-5 through 5th grade. Rehearsals are Wednesdays 3:15 – 3:55 p.m.
- The Youth Choir is for all students in grades 6-12 (and, with permission of the director, experienced singers in grades 4 and 5). Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
April 2019
Hear the St. James Youth Choir sing the beautiful ‘Ex Ore Innocentium’ at the 10:30 service on April 7.
It Is A Thing Most Wonderful (Ex Ore Innocentium)
Poem: William Walsham How (1823-1897)
Music: John Ireland (1879-1962)
Music: John Ireland (1879-1962)
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It is a thing most wonderful,
almost too wonderful to be, that God's own Son should come from heaven, and die to save a child like me. And yet I know that it is true: he chose a poor and humble lot, and wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died, for love of those who loved him not. I sometimes think about the cross, and shut my eyes, and try to see the cruel nails and crown of thorns and Jesus crucified for me. But even could I see him die, I could but see a little part of that great love, which, like a fire, is always burning in his heart. And yet I want to love thee, Lord; O light the flame within my heart, and I will love thee more and more, until I see thee as thou art. |
March 2019
“Eternal Lord of love…”
…behold your Church, walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent.” The opening line of Hymn #149 draws our community together and creates the image of all of us moving together through the liturgical season of Lent. This hymn is an important part of our Lenten worship, and we will sing it near Lent’s beginning and again near the end of Lent. The language is modern, as it was written by Thomas H. Cain in response to a call for a new Lenten hymn for the Hymnal 1982. At the time, Dr. Cain (1931-2003) was serving on the Worship and Doctrine Committee of the Diocese of Niagara while new liturgical texts were being prepared for the Anglican Church of Canada. He was part of the discussions about the historic function of Lent as reflected in the Ash Wednesday exhortation (the invitation to the observance of a holy Lent), found in the Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 264. Enumerated in this invitation are the Lenten practices and goals of preparing for Holy Week and Easter, preparing for and renewing the vows of Holy Baptism, and the reconciliation of Christians by the repentance and forgiveness of sins. The opening of the hymn refers to us, the Church, “walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent.” The next line, “led by your cloud by day, by night your fire,” alludes to the Israelites in the wilderness, drawing a comparison between their search and ours. The hymn next says that we also walk the same road Jesus walked, “daily dying to the way of self, and daily living to your [Jesus’] way of love.” The poem then turns this idea towards the idea that we are baptized into Jesus’s death, saying further, “If dead in you, so in you we arise,” ending the hymn with the Easter we will find at the end of our Lenten journey, and beyond that, at the end of our earthly journey.
In her book, Awake My Soul: Meditating on Hymns for Year B, Nancy Roth describes this hymn and its ideas of our journey in terms of discoveries she made on a pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral. Unprepared for what turned out to be a very long hike, by the end of her journey she had learned three things that she applies here to our Lenten journey. “First, it is a mistake to carry too heavy a load…It is best to travel light.” Second, “pilgrimage takes practice,” and third, when she thought she couldn’t take another step, “the chant of the students or the spires of Chartres kept me going.” In applying these lessons to our Lenten journey, Roth asks “What can you shed this Lent?” In terms of the practice of pilgrimage, she asks us to consider that “our route of prayer, worship, and service is an itinerary that lasts all year long.” In considering what it is that keeps us going, she asks us to “discover the things that strengthen our intent. What helps you to walk the pilgrim way toward God…these may not be ‘churchy’ things, but may be as varied as spending time outdoors,…including exercise in your daily schedule, or taking time to listen to music.”
In closing, Nancy Roth points out that hymn #149 reminds us we are not walking alone. Its first line, “Eternal Lord of love, behold your church, walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent” tells us that “We are walking with companions, those who walk beside us and those who walked before us. With them, we walk the road trodden by our Lord, in his companionship as well, toward our destination: the presence of God’s glory.”
In her book, Awake My Soul: Meditating on Hymns for Year B, Nancy Roth describes this hymn and its ideas of our journey in terms of discoveries she made on a pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral. Unprepared for what turned out to be a very long hike, by the end of her journey she had learned three things that she applies here to our Lenten journey. “First, it is a mistake to carry too heavy a load…It is best to travel light.” Second, “pilgrimage takes practice,” and third, when she thought she couldn’t take another step, “the chant of the students or the spires of Chartres kept me going.” In applying these lessons to our Lenten journey, Roth asks “What can you shed this Lent?” In terms of the practice of pilgrimage, she asks us to consider that “our route of prayer, worship, and service is an itinerary that lasts all year long.” In considering what it is that keeps us going, she asks us to “discover the things that strengthen our intent. What helps you to walk the pilgrim way toward God…these may not be ‘churchy’ things, but may be as varied as spending time outdoors,…including exercise in your daily schedule, or taking time to listen to music.”
In closing, Nancy Roth points out that hymn #149 reminds us we are not walking alone. Its first line, “Eternal Lord of love, behold your church, walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent” tells us that “We are walking with companions, those who walk beside us and those who walked before us. With them, we walk the road trodden by our Lord, in his companionship as well, toward our destination: the presence of God’s glory.”
