On Sunday, January 29 at 5:00 PM, the Christ Church choir will sing Choral Evensong, one of the oldest and most beautiful liturgies in the Anglican tradition. Music will include Anglican Chant; works by James MacMillan, Charles Villiers Stanford, and Malcolm Boyle; and hymns. Choral Evensong will be preceded by a 4:15 PM recital-prelude by Florida State University saxophonist Dawson Coleman and collaborative pianist and organist Elizabeth LaJeunesse, featuring Steven Banks’ recent work for tenor saxophone and piano, Come As You Are. Steven Banks, a classical musician, viewed the writing of this four-movement work as a way “to bring together different facets of [his] own life experience.” Banks grew up in the AME church, often playing his saxophone on hymns, and chose to draw from the musical traditions of his upbringing as inspiration for this work. Each movement is based on either a traditional Spiritual or a song from the Black Gospel tradition, and the movements are titled after lyrics from the well-known anthem “Total Praise.” The program will also include two movements from Andre Waignein’s Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone. Rhapsody was commissioned by the Adolphe Sax Competition to be premiered in the final round at the 2010 competition in Dinant, Belgium, and showcases and explores both the technical prowess and expressive nature of the saxophone. The second movement of this piece is a lyrical, nostalgic song meant to showcase the tone quality and musicianship of the performer. The final movement is a lively tarantella dance that displays the technical facility and vast tessitura of the saxophone. The Closing Voluntary for the service of choral evensong will be a transcription for alto saxophone and organ of Bach’s Sinfonia from Cantata 29. Choral Evensong will be followed by a reception in the Parish Hall hosted by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Freewill donations will benefit the Christ Church Music Program.
Music at Christ Church
Music is integral to worship at Christ Church Parish. From the hymns of the congregation to the psalms and service music; from the choral anthems to the organ voluntaries, in each note of music we make, we seek to glorify God in his temple.
The Christ Church Parish Choir
The Christ Church Parish Choir sings for the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist throughout the year. In addition, the Choir sings for Advent or Christmas Lessons & Carols, Christmas Eve Eucharist, Holy Week services, and offices of Choral Evensong. The Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Choir Room.
Anyone interested in joining the Parish Choir is invited to contact Dr. Jason Hobratschk, Director of Music Ministry.
The Christ Church Choristers
The Christ Church Choristers is open to all students of reading ability, generally, 3rd grade and older. The Choristers rehearse weekly throughout the academic year and join the Parish Choir to sing the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist on the first and third Sundays of the month.
| Junior Choristers
Boys & Girls, 3rd – 5th Grade (or until voice change) |
Wednesday | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Senior Girls
6th Grade and Older |
Wednesday | 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
| Senior Boys
(Changing Voices) |
Thursday | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
A portion of rehearsal time is dedicated to music education according to the Voice for Life curriculum published by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). Since Christ Church Parish is an RSCM affiliate, choristers also have opportunities to participate in week-long summer music courses throughout the U.S.
If you are interested in having your child participate in the Christ Church Choristers, please register here.
The Christ Church Ringers
The Christ Church Ringers rehearse Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Library upstairs in the Education Building and play for Sunday services on occasion. A basic music reading ability is necessary to participate.
Anyone interested in joining the Christ Church Ringers is invited to contact Dr. Jason Hobratschk, Director of Music Ministry.
The Kney Pipe Organ (1975)
Christ Church is home to a mechanical action (tracker) pipe organ built by Gabriel Kney & Co. of London, Ontario in 1975. The Germanic neo-Baroque instrument is an exemplar of the Organ Reform Movement popular at the time of its installation. The result of a single gift in 1973, the organ comprises 60 ranks in 43 stops across three manual divisions and pedal.
More information on the Kney pipe organ, including a stoplist, may be found here: Christ Church Pensacola Kney Organ