music is the soul's voice
Music engages
the mind, transforms
the heart
and awakens the
soul. It speaks for
us when we have no words. Our superb
choirs and vibrant music leaders elevate
our common life together; you will find
music at worship, parish potlucks, youth
retreats, children's Sunday School, and
throughout every aspect of life at Church
of Our Saviour.
As Episcopalians, we have a musical heritage that is one of the world's richest and most deeply spiritual. We offer a wide variety of musical styles from English Renaissance motets to multi-cultural spirituals, each dedicated to enhance worship and to speak to the heart.
our music program
We are fortunate to have
music of outstanding
quality at Our Saviour
parish. Our organ, refurbished
in 2005, is one
of the largest and most
technologically advanced pipe/digital
combination instruments in the world. Our
outstanding choir soloists, volunteer choristers
and instrumentalists perform challenging
and diverse repertoire by classical
and modern composers. Look for special
music at our worship services as well as
frequent choral, organ, orchestral, and
handbell concerts throughout the year.
check our event calendar.
Eileen Mahakian Nahigian
Endowment for Music
Offered with thanksgiving for Richard, Jolie, Natalie, and
Nicholas Nahigian
The Nahigian Endowment for Music was given generously to support the tradition of musical excellence at Church of Our Saviour. It expands our programming and provides instrumentalists for special worship services. It also has allowed us to launch an exciting composer-in-residence program.
We are thankful to Eileen and so many others who support Music at COS with their time, their gifts, and their talents.
participate!
There are many ways to participate in our
music program: as a performer (amateurs
welcome!), as a member of our Friends of
Music support program, and, of course, as
a listener. Contact our Director of Music
for more information on how to become
involved.
email our music director
Calling all Musicians to the Music Ministry for the 9AM Service!
The Music Ministry at Church of Our Saviour is looking for people interested in sharing their musical talents to help lead and contribute music for the 9AM Family Friendly service. We are seeking to develop a pool of musicians and a leadership team that will reflect the diverse gifts of our community and will serve the needs of the worshipers at the 9AM service. We would like to hear from you! Whether you play the piano, violin, bass, percussion, guitar or triangle, there may be a way for you to serve!
For more information, please contact Suzanne Anderson, Director of Children's and Youth Music, or Rob Ham, Pastor for Children, Youth and Families.
meet our music staff
Minister of Music
Philip Smith
Organist
Szymon Grab
Soloists/Section Leaders, The Adult Choir
Sophie Wingland, soprano
Jeanie Riddell, alto
Phil Gold, tenor
Brian Dyer, tenor
Michal Connor, bass
Director of Children's and Youth Music and Handbell Choirs.
Suzanne Anderson
-Thomas Carlyle
annual concert series
The Church of Our Saviour Concert
Series is designed to bring you the best
of classical and contemporary music
in a historic setting. Instrumental and
vocal, chamber music and choral major
works with orchestra, guest artists of
international reputation, musical theater
cabarets and outdoor jazz shows are
only examples of the many varied musical
offerings through Music at COS.
check for event calendar
Music For A Season concert series
Austin/Rosales/Rodgers organ
The spectacular organ at Church of Our Saviour is one of the largest and most technologically advanced pipe/digital combination instruments in the world. This versatile instrument allows all styles of solo literature to be played with authenticity and authority.
The organ was rebuilt with additions in
2005 under the project management
of Robert Tall & Associates. Great and
Positive pipework was retained from the
original Austin Pipe Organ, Opus 2469,
installed in 1967. These pipes were
refurbished, installed and revoiced by
Manuel Rosales of Rosales Organ Builders.
Rodgers Instruments, LLC, installed
the 4-manual console and digital additions.
listen to our organ
The Adult Choir
Thursdays 7:15-9:15pm
The Adult Choir is open to all with choral
experience who enjoy singing fine music
in a worshipful, dynamic, and congenial
setting. The choir rehearses weekly,
September to June, for Sunday services,
major feast days, and special concerts,
and is supported by professional soloists
and section leaders.
listen to our Adult Choir
Handbell Choir
Tuesdays 7:15pm - 8:00pm
This "Fellowship of Ringers" meets on Tuesday nights and plays regularly in Sunday worship. All ages from grade 9 through adult are welcome to visit or join! No prior ringing or musical experience is necessary, only a willingness to learn and serve through this unique form of musical worship!
Get more information.
Intermezzo Handbell Ensemble
Tuesdays 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Drawn from the larger choir, Intermezzo is a smaller group of ringers that performs music for smaller forces and explores more adventurous ringing techniques. Get more information.
Music Program for Children and Youth
The first rehearsals for all of the groups listed below will be during the week of September 13th.
Gospel Cherubs
Grades K - 2
Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 3:30pm - 4:05pm, followed by a snack time from 4:05pm - 4:15pm.
In rehearsals the children will learn basic singing skills, pitch matching, rhythmic skills, how to follow directions in a group and social skills. Rehearsals will also include games and instruments. The Gospel Cherubs sing in church a little less than once a month and participate in the annual Christmas Pageant and Spring Musical. No prior musical experience is necessary!
Star Chorus
Grades 3 - 5*
Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 4:15pm - 5:00pm, preceded by a snack time from 4:05pm - 4:15pm
Rehearsals will continue the work begun in the Gospel Cherubs, although students do not need to have been in any choir previously to join. Musical skills addressed include basic group singing techniques, beginning music reading, rhythmic and performance skills. The Star Chorus sings in church about once a month and participates in the 4PM Christmas Eve service, Spring Musical and local music festivals.
* This ensemble is also open to motivated second graders.
Chime Choir
Grades 3 - 5*
Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 5:05pm - 5:35pm during the four sessions
The chime choir is open to any child in grades 3 - 5 regardless of prior musical experience or participation in Star Chorus. Throughout this year we will have 4 month long sessions. Your child must be able to attend the rehearsals and performance to ring in a session. Although the sessions are designed to teach musical skills sequentially, it is not necessary to attend every session to be a member of the group. Rehearsals will focus on learning basic music reading and ringing skills in addition to learning music for worship services.
For a schedule of the four Chime Choir Sessions, please click here.
Bel Canto
Grades 6-12
Rehearsals: Wednesdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm in Brown Hall 204
Bel Canto welcomes young women and men in grades 6 - 12 to be worship leaders through song. Bel Canto sings music from traditional and contemporary liturgies and participates regularly in worship services for Adults and Youth, Christmas services and concerts. This year, rehearsals will be held concurrently with the Worship Band to facilitate collaborations. It will be possible for students to participate in both groups. A short tour is being planned for Memorial Day Weekend 2010.
Middle School Handbell Choir
Grades 6-8
Rehearsals: Wednesdays from 4:30 - 5:15 in the Adult Choir Room next to the church!
This choir is the next step for rising 6th graders who were in the Chime Choir but is also open to anyone in grades 6-8 regardless of prior handbell ringing or musical experience. We will catch you up to where you need to be to go forward with the group! A minimum number of committed participants will be necessary to begin rehearsals. Please contact Suzanne if you are interested!
For more information on any of the musical offerings for children or youth, please contact Suzanne Anderson, Director of Children's and Youth Music at sanderson@churchofoursaviour.org or (626) 282-5147 ext. 15
Worship Band
Grades 6-12
Rehearsals: 5:30pm-6:30pm in the Youth House
The Worship Band will provide music for the 11AM Student Impact Worship Service in the Youth House. Please contact
Rob Ham at rham@churchofoursaviour.org or (626) 282-5147 ext. 23 for more information
Instrumentalists
There are many opportunities for instrumentalists of all ages and experience to join our music ministry teams. Possibilities for performance include Sunday morning worship, anthem accompaniments, small ensemble concerts, services in the style of Taizé, and all-church fellowship events. Let us know who you are and what instrument(s) you play!
