An important part of our life at St Paul’s
A variety of styles. Opportunities for involvement for singers and instrumentalists, children and adults. Traditional and contemporary settings. . . Even before the installation of the first organ in 1765, and the presentation of Canada’s first oratorio at St Paul’s in 1769, music has played an important role in the life of St Paul’s.
MUSIC AT ST. PAUL’S
Music features prominently in the spiritual life of St Paul’s, and worship services are enhanced through the work of the church’s extremely talented music team under the direction of the multi-talented Andrew Killawee.
Traditional services (BCP) feature the St Paul’s choir, and music provided by the church’s grand organ. During contemporary services (BAS), music is provided by an instrumental ensemble featuring singers, as well as a variety of wood wind, percussion and stringed instruments (our Music Team).
HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL AND ST. PAUL’S! May 20, 7:30 pm: St. Paul’s was pleased to welcome Juno award-winning pianist and vocalist Laila Biali in concert, presented but he Halifax Jazz Festival. You may know Laila’s name from her many recordings, from hosting CBC’s “Saturday Night Jazz”, or you may have read about her – described by the Washington Post as “masterfully mixing jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy”.
Other examples of the ‘music of St. Paul’s’: our talented Musician-in-Residence (Ian Bent) hosts occasional concerts with original material such as ‘Meditations’ (piano solos to accompany the spirit of the Lenten Season),
as does a well-known member of our congregation (Mark Flowerdew) who facilitates a concert to kick off Holy Week, sharing his appreciated original material. Mark & his family have been long-time parishioners & volunteers with St. Paul’s.
A warm ‘thank you’ to The Ottawa Children’s Choir for their splendid performance, all volunteers for their assistance and all 100 attendees for facilitating this wonderful evening and collectively generating $418 for St. Paul’s Outreach programs in May 2018!
September 22’18, at 8:00 pm: St. Paul’s was excited to host “The North” – a jazz quartet featuring two of Canada’s acclaimed multi-JUNO award winning musicians – David Braid (piano) and Mike Murley (saxophone) – along with a formidable rhythm section comprised of Danish drummer Anders Mogensen and Finnish bassist Johnny Aman. (Their recording “The North” won the 2018 JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year).
And then there was October 13th’s “Choirs For Change”! St. Paul’s very own Jack Bennet conducted a choral work by Jason Noble, here at St. Paul’s as part of this year’s Nocturne Event in Halifax.
Choir
The choir sings a wide range of repertoire, ranging from 16th to 21st century church anthems and sacred music. The choir sings at alternate 10 am Sunday worship services and at other special occasions. For rehearsal times and performance schedules, please contact Andrew Killawee, our organist and choir director, via the church office.
Music Team
Providing music in a contemporary setting, The Music Team leads at alternate 10 am Sunday worship services, the music team is an informal group of singers and musicians who help lead worship. Young people who play any instrument are especially welcome!