The Parish Choir
Rehearsals held each Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm (mid August – mid June)
The Saint Alban’s Parish Choir consists of adults who love to sing and enjoy enhancing the worship at Saint Alban’s Church. Reading music is not a must, but certainly a plus! Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. The choir retreat is one of the highlights of our year. The choir spends time learning new music and getting to know each (this is called Bonding!). If you want the best seat in the house — join the choir! Would you like to know more? Tammy Shook, our Director of Parish Music, would be happy to give you all the details. ( mamajeanne@charter.com )
Here is the Choir Year at a glance: First Sunday to sing is the Sunday following Labor Day; The Choir does not sing the Sunday following Christmas and the Sunday following Easter; the Choir Year ends on Saint Alban’s Day which is kept on the Sunday nearest June 22; only the Sundays in June which are Festivals are Choir Days [Singing (or not) in early June is determined by the date of Easter].
Handbell Choirs
The parish music ministry includes a handbell choir, The Oxford Ringers. The choir consists of eleven ringers who play four octaves of handbells and is directed by Tammy Shook. They rehearse weekly ( September through early May) at 6:00 on Wednesdays. The handbell choir participates in worship at scheduled times throughout the year.
Genesis Ringers – Adults
Beginning bells for interested adults! You don’t have to know how to read music, just looking for those who have always wanted to learn and be a part of a bell choir. Genesis Ringers is led by Tammy Shook and meets (Mid August- Mid June) 5:30-6 p.m.
Wee Ringers – Grades K-6
This wonderful bell choir is for children grades K-6. This bell choir meets weekly (Mid August – Mid June) 5-5:30 p.m. This choir is led by Tammy Shook. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to have exposure to music, reading music, and working together as a musical team within the St. Alban’s Family.
Youth Choir: CantorKids – Grades K-6
CantorKids (with the name taken from Canterbury, and its heritage of Anglican Music, and “Cantor”, one who sets the tone for liturgical worship) is St. Alban’s Children’s Choir. CantorKids is one of our offerings for Children’s Christian Formation – Learning about God through the words of the songs, learning about prayer, because our songs, as are the Psalms, are prayers we offer to God, learning about our rich Anglican liturgical heritage based on corporate worship, bonding with other choir members and having an active part of St. Alban’s worshiping. In a fun, learning environment, the children will learn music and music’s role in worship and how to develop their musical voices while offering praise to God. CantorKids will meet weekly (September – May) on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and will occasionally participate in our liturgical worship, especially on special worship occasions. No previous choir or music experience or natural music ability is needed and is open to children who are currently enrolled in kindergarten through 6th grade. Lauren Shook is our Fearless leader of CantorKids and the kids LOVE HER! If you have any questions about CantorKids, please call the church office for more information. (828) 324-1351, theoffice.stalbans@gmail.com