Here’s something for your Christmas delectation:
These exquisite performances are by the All Saints’ Episcopal Church Chamber Choir. Our choir director, Scott Youngs, recently posted them on YouTube. All Saints has three choirs, in addition to a choristers’ program for young singers: a chamber choir consisting of professional singers, a women’s chant choir, and the senior choir for us amateurs who like to sing along with the pro’s.
The church has an astonishing music program. I must confess that what lured me into the place was the music. One day, for reasons unknown, I happened to show up at a Sunday service, and for heaven’s sake here was this incredible music. I thought, “My Lord! It’s a free chamber music concert! All you have to do is throw a few bucks in the plate, sit through the religious palaver, et voilà!“
Well, from that point of course things grew more complicated, and the next thing you know I’m afflicting Scott with my old-lady voice — much, I imagine, as Hyacinth Bucket harasses her neighbor’s brother Emmet on Keeping Up Appearances. He has the grace to let me join the choir, which he must pray will drown me out. 😉
Listening to and working with these amazing singers every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning surpasses privilege. It’s a constant joy.
And…come to think of it, even the religion has weaseled its way into my heart — singing is, after all, a form of prayer. My father detested organized religion. He wouldn’t allow my mother to take me anywhere near a church. She would sneak me to an Episcopal church in San Francisco while he was at sea, but when he was on shore that was out of the question. He must be vibrating in his funeral urn!
Sigh, my church’s music program, once involving multiple choirs and professional-level performances, is now almost dead. And I cannot STAND the mainstream Pentecostal music programs, with rock-band “devotional” music and repetition standing in for spiritualism.
A fellow musician said that the musical path to God is so clearly marked – all you need to do is hear a Bach church cantata in four full parts to believe in a beneficent Father who loves us.
Sorry to hear that about your outfit. I think it requires a commitment in terms of money (a lot of it!) and in terms of the pastor’s priorities, as well as a professional and highly energetic music director.
Not asking much, eh?
Wow is right! Absolutely beautiful!