Music at St. Matthew's

Organist Philip Keil at the Aeolian-Skinner organ
© 2005 Tom Hammer

Music is an integral part of worship at St. Matthew's. Each service incorporates congregational hymns in the Episcopal tradition, accompanied by our lovely 1932 Aeolian Skinner pipe organ, which is also heard in the prelude and postlude music. The 10:00 service is a choral eucharist, with the chancel choir generally leading the congregation in the sung parts of the ordinary. The chancel choir also sings anthems during the offertory and communion, with texts designed to reflect some aspect of the day's readings. The children's choir participates each first Sunday of the month, and our handbell choir plays for services on occasion as well. Further information about these ensembles can be found below. To learn more about music at St. Matthew's or to inquire about joining one of the ensembles, please contact Nat Berman, either by email natberman@hotmail.com or by phone at (650) 342-1481 ext. 393.

If you'd like to participate, please consider joining one of our choirs:

The Chancel Choir

Meets: Thursday 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. in the Choir Room

The Chancel choir is St. Matthews' adult choir, and participates each week in the 10:00 service. The group rehearses Thursday nights from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The choir prepares anthems, generally selected from the sacred classical repertoire, for presentation during offertory and communion. Some music experience is preferred, but not strictly required. A casual audition with the music director is requested.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
© 2005 Tom Hammer

The Children's Choir

Meets: Mondays 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Choir Room

The children's choir is geared to children in grades 2-5, and is always open to new members. The group meets for rehearsal Mondays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the choir room, downstairs in the day school. Children learn the fundamentals of good singing and music-making while preparing anthems for Sunday services. The children's choir sings each first Sunday of the month for the 10:00 a.m. service.

The Handbell Choir

Meets: Thursday 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room

St. Matthew's has a 5 octave handbell set, and we always welcome new players to help us use as much of the set as possible. The bell choir is open to ages 13 and up, and meets weekly on Thursday nights from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the choir room. No music experience is necessary to join; if you can ring a bell, you can participate! In fact, playing handbells is a great, low pressure way to learn the basics of reading music. The bell choir plays for 10:00 services on special occasions, generally about 5 times per year.