The heritage of music in the Anglican tradition is one of the greatest gifts to the missionary and spiritual life of the Christian faith. For centuries, choirs of children and adults have led worship through the Anglican Communion, and so it is today.
Bless, O Lord, us thy servants who minister in thy temple: Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and that what we believe in our hearts we may show forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
RSCM Prayer
At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, choirs and instrumentalists provide musical leadership for hundreds of services and events each year. Their service is a vital part of the worship and spiritual life of the parish and a significant outreach to the greater community.
The music ministry at St. Paul’s is an opportunity for service, musical education and spiritual enrichment for all ages based in the Anglican Choral Tradition. Its primary purpose is to enrich the worship of God. It also serves an important role in Christian formation and outreach to the greater Winston-Salem community.
As an affiliate of the Royal School of Church Music, the members of the choirs receive music education through training based on the RSCM Voice for Life curriculum. All the choirs sing every Sunday for services September through May as well as for the primary Feast Days and often for Diocesan services.
Special services include Choral Evensong, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas, and A Feast of Lights.
Concerts and other special musical events are offered periodically by Friends of Music at St. Paul’s, an independently funded concert series separate from the annual budget of the parish. Its mission is to be a unique niche in the vibrant arts scene of Winston-Salem with a particular, but not exclusive focus on early music.
All are welcome to serve in the music ministry. Singers of all ages are needed for choirs, and guest instrumentalists are often featured. Volunteers are always needed to help with publicity, choir vestment upkeep and maintaining the music library.
The commitment of time and talent is significant and the rewards are great. Adult singers contact Dr. John E. Cummins. For children and youth singers, contact Dr. Mark W. Ardrey-Graves.