Music in Ascension
In Church of the Ascension, music is for everyone! There are many opportunities to serve in the music department, whether it be through singing, ringing, ushering, or volunteering in any number of different ways. The musicians of the parish are committed to worshipping God with choral and instrumental music using the Hymnal 1982 and other resources.
Join the Chorus!
The Parish Choir, composed of talented amateur and professional musicians, leads congregational worship each Sunday of the year.
The Choir of Boys and Girls, modeled on the program established by the Royal School of Church Music, also provides music each Sunday, September through May.
Liturgical Feastdays and Occasional Services are also celebrated throughout the year. The St. Francis’ Day Blessing of the Animals, All Hallows’ Eve Procession, Lessons and Carols for the season of Advent, and the Epiphany Procession are annual observances with special music.
Friends of Music and the Arts, a support society for music at Ascension, augments the calendar of liturgical feastdays with concerts and organ recitals throughout the year.
For more information please contact Jim Garvey.
Friends of Music and the Arts
Friends of Music and the Arts, a support society for music at Ascension, augments the calendar of liturgical feastdays with concerts and organ recitals throughout the year.
List of Services
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Parish ChoirList Item 1
The Parish Choir is composed of amateur and professional singers devoted to leading congregational praise. The choir’s repertoire is grounded in the Anglican choral tradition, embracing other styles and idioms as circumstances warrant.
Along with the weekly Sunday morning 10:30 service, The Parish Choir observes liturgical seasons and feast days, offering special programming for Advent and the Epiphany. Holy Week sees the choir offering the sung service of Tenebrae, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter. Easter Day and Christmas Eve services are musically augmented through a resident brass quintet. The choir sings an annual concert with orchestra.
Parish Choir rehearsals take place Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 with choir warmups taking place Sunday mornings an hour before the service. The choir is open to all by audition.
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Boys & Girls ChoirList Item 2
Like the Parish Choir, the Boys and Girls’ Choir sings each Sunday at the 10:30 am service, September through May. Membership is open to all boys and girls grades second through ninth grade, regardless of musical experience. Modeled on the program established by the Royal School of Church music, the curriculum choristers use employs “Voice for Life” materials as well as other training programs. The Boys and Girls’ Choir joins the Parish Choir in its annual choir concert as well as other seasonal programming.
Rehearsals take place Wednesday afternoons, 4:45 to 6. On Sunday, choir warmups take place at 10:05 upon the conclusion of the Christian education hour.
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Summer QuireList Item 3
The Summer Quire, composed mostly of Parish Choir members, sings faithfully for Sunday services in the summer months. Repertoire is not difficult and there is no mid-week rehearsal, making the summer months an attractive point of entrée for prospective singers (one may join music ensembles at any time, however).
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Handbell ChoirList Item 4
The Ascension Handbell Choir plays several times throughout the year for the 10:30 am Sunday service. Membership is open to all, regardless of lack of prior ringing experience.
