Welcome to St. Alban’s Church! Every Sunday, and most days in between, people gather in this place to worship, to learn, to grow, to share the joys and struggles of our lives, and to seek God’s grace in the midst of our lives. We do not come because we have it all figured out, but because we are seeking light on the way. We come as we are and welcome one another.
Music is an integral part of our common spiritual life and our model for music in the liturgy is Jesus himself, who sang psalms with the apostles at the Last Supper. It is among the most joyful and sublime offerings we make to God—every Sunday, at parish events, and in worship services. We believe, as St. Augustine held, that to sing is to pray twice and music is an integral part of our participation in the work of God. Through music, prayer is given more graceful expression, the mystery of the liturgy more openly revealed and minds can be raised to heavenly things by its beauty.
Anyone can be involved in music at St. Alban’s — whether as a dedicated choir member, an occasional instrumentalist, or an enthusiastic congregational singer. Even the engaged and active listener has an important role.
Matthew Steynor is our Director of Music. Contact Matthew if you have questions about being involved in our music program. Click here to access current and past music lists.
St. Alban's Choirs
The Choir of St. Alban’s is comprised principally of volunteers with a variety of choral experience. The choir sings the year round and rehearses on Thursday evenings 7:00-8:30 p.m. We meet on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. to rehearse for the 9:00 a.m. service (except during the summer). All budding vocalists who are able to commit to a regular rehearsal schedule are welcome to join.
The Schola Cantorum, which sings at the 11:15 a.m. service, is comprised of auditioned members from the choir, including eight staff singers. Please contact choir director Matthew Steynor to learn more.
Choristers
Children from age 7 through 12th grade sing in our choristers program, which utilizes the Royal School of Church Music's highly respected VOICE for LIFE program for training and spiritual development. Learn more.
Children's Chapel Musicians
Can you clap your hands and march in the light of God, or play any kind of instrument? If so, you make a fine music leader in Children's Chapel, which meets every Sunday in Nourse Hall at 10:00 a.m. during the summer (at 9:00 a.m. during the school year). Contact Noell Sottile to learn more or just show up.
Summer Choir
Anyone and everyone is welcome to sing at the 10:00 a.m. summer service from mid-June through Labor Day weekend. We rehearse the hymns and an anthem at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday, beginning in the church. Music and vestments are provided. We hope you will consider lending your voice to the choir, even if only for one Sunday.
St. Alban's Organ
The organ at St. Alban’s was built by the Di Gennaro-Hart Organ Company and dedicated on September 20th 1998. Its builder, Michael Hart, provided this background and shared some "secrets of St. Alban's organ" at an OWLs luncheon. OWLs committee member Lacey Gude provided the introduction.
Choir Pilgrimages
Singing in unfamiliar places, whether grand cathedral spaces, ancient catacombs, or sites of human tragedy or triumph, is a sacred experience in its own right. Choirs from St. Alban’s have made pilgrimages to England (2004), Italy (2008), Austria and the Czech Republic (2010), England (2012) and France (2015).
Video from the choir pilgrimage to France, 2015.
Praise God for the gift of music which can exceed our capabilities of expression through spoken word and can allow us to access the depths of our emotional experience, drawing us closer to God.