St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

St. Andrew's is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
                           The Rt. Rev. Dr. Nathan Baxter, Bishop

With God's help, the people of Saint Andrew's Church will strive to know and accept God's love in Jesus Christ for people of all sorts and conditions and to witness to God's love in word and action.

Music

Choirs

Music and choirs have always been an important part of Anglican worship. At St. Andrew’s a number of opportunities are available to all ages who wish to participate in that ministry.

Choirs available for children are Cherub Choir (ages 5 to 7) and Youth Choir (ages 8 to 16). These choirs have regularly scheduled rehearsals and sing on the second Sunday of each month from October to May, as well as at special services various times of the year.

St. Andrew's is a member of the Royal School of Church Music. The RSCM seeks through education and training to support and enhance the best use of music of many styles in our liturgy and worship. At St. Andrew's we utilize the RSCM's Voice for Life training program for our Youth Choir, along with resources from The Choristers Guild, of which we are also a member. By utilizing these programs we hope to encouraging music-making in general, and singing in particular . The RSCM's stated goals, to which we aspire, are:

• providing training in essential skills for church music

• developing understanding of music in the church's ministry and worship

• encouraging good music everywhere through fostering outreach from the churches into the community

• engaging with young people in singing

Founded by Sir Sydney Nicholson in 1927, the RSCM's original emphasis was English choral music. Now, in a diverse international context, its work is far broader and inclusive. The RSCM affirms the continuation of the great tradition of choral church music in cathedrals, parish churches, chapels, and schools. It also seeks to enable each worshipping community to discover good music appropriate to its needs. The RSCM aims for high standards in all it does, from the simplest singing or playing in a small church or community to the most advanced choral activity.

For more information and to participate in this program, please contact the music staff.

The adult choir meets each Thursday for rehearsals and sings at the 10 a.m. Sunday Eucharist and Evensong the second Sunday of the month from October through May.

The Resurrection Choir volunteers to sing for funerals and memorial services only. This choir is separate from other choirs of St. Andrew's and does not require a regular rehearsal.

Other smaller specialized ensembles, both vocal and instrumental, serve the parish throughout the year at a number of services. Rehearsals and performances of these ensembles are arranged in accord with the availability of participants.

Instrumentalists are encouraged to use their talents in the ministry of music at St. Andrew's. Rehearsals for these are scheduled according to the availability of the participants.

The church is available as a performance space for guest musicians and recitals.

For information, please contact the choir master, Walter Wells, or the organist, Gwen Catchen.

The Organ

The organ at St. Andrew’s was built by Shantz, and was dedicated in 1981. It is a two manual organ with electro-pneumatic action, constructed in three divisions: the Great, the Swell, and the Pedal division. In all, the organ has 1161 pipes arranged in 19 ranks, with 26 stops.

Five O'Clock Musicians

The Five O’Clock Musicians were recruited in 2003 when Fr. Jack set up the Contemporary five o’clock Eucharist on Sunday in Canterbury Hall. The group consists of musicians and singers, and is led by Steve Hopkins, who also plays guitar.