Music

Music has always held an important place in the services of the Episcopal Church in general and at St. Andrew's in particular. Since the installation of the original pipe organ in 1930, St. Andrew's has had a choir led by an organist-choirmaster. Helen Bellman served with distinction for 35 years, from 1931-1966 when the choir numbered about 20 singers. When Mrs. Bellman retired in 1966, several musicians took over the position.

Our present organist-choirmaster, Dale Krider, was appointed in June of 2000. Under his leadership the all volunteer Parish Choir has grown to over thirty singers—more than our choir stalls can accommodate! The choir sings each Sunday throughout the year as well as for other liturgical services and special concerts.

In 1991, the Lewis & Hitchcock organ company installed a new three manual, 39 rank pipe organ. In 2005, a new console with several digital stops was added enabling the organ to better accompany the choir and play organ music of all periods and styles.

Choir

Our Adult Choir sings at all 10:30 am Sunday morning services as well as at occasional other services. They rehearse at the church on Thursday evenings and before the service on Sunday mornings. During the Summer (mid-June to the end of August) the choir rehearses only immediately prior to the service.

The Children's Choir, under the direction of Cindy Stanford, sings at Christmas and Easter.

Fourth Sundays at Four

A music series for the community of College Park • Dale Krider, Director

• September 28: Sam Hensley

  Sam Hensley will perform a show filled with familiar hymns, personal narrative in song, songs for younger children, and all-around music to fill the heart and lift the voice of everyone in attendance.

• October 26: The Parish Choir

  Schubert's Mass in G will be the featured choral work with other music by our guest soloists, Angela Powell Walker, soprano, and Trevor Scheuneman, baritone, who was named Washington Opera Artist of the Year for 2007.

• November 23: William Feasley

  William Feasley, classical guitarist, is the first guitarist to be awarded the coveted Artist's Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Since his debut in 1980 with the San Francisco Ballet, Feasley has maintained an active international concert touring schedule playing in Spain, the Caribbean, Greece, Yugoslavia, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and Iceland.

• January 25: James Gibson

  James Gibson, pianist, is a graduate of Cornell University and has performed around the world, playing in some thirty-five countries. His program will include works by Bach, Chopin, and Debussy.

• February 22: Heritage Singers

  The Heritage Singers, under the direction of Charles Hastings, was founded in 1990 by Conductor Emeritus Gordon Gustin. This small men's ensemble specializes in unaccompanied music in both secular and sacred genres.

• March 22: Maryland State Boy Choir

  The Maryland State Boy Choir is a talented group of young boys, trained in the tradition of the Royal School of Church Music They return to St. Andrew's to sing a traditional service of Evensong during this season of Lent.

• April 26: Dale Krider

  Dale Krider and some of his instrumental friends will present an hour of fun and familiar tunes.

• May 24: Justus Parrotta

  Jay Parrotta, organist, is a junior at the School of Music, Catholic University, and, at only twenty years old, recently passed the advanced national organ exams to become a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists. He is organist at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

More Upcoming Music

• Christmas Eve, December 24, at 10:00 pm

  A half hour of seasonal music presented by the Parish Choir and organist.

• Easter Day, April 12, at 10:00 am

  A half hour of festive music by organ and brass ensemble preceding the 10:30 festal Easter service.

All programs are free and open to all. An offering will be received at each event to help with expenses.

If you would like to be on our music mailing list, contact Dale Krider at the church.