Music Ministry at St. Matthew’s

Music is a dynamic, transforming force that edifies and enhances our worship week after week. Music is nourishment for our spiritual lives.  Through music, God’s word to us in worship is amplified, our fellowship is enlivened, and our learning is underscored.  Whether we listen to an instrumental voluntary or an anthem sung by one of our choirs, chant a Psalm, sing from our hymnals, or tap our foot at Jazz Vespers, music is a vehicle that brings us into a closer relationship with the Divine.  We invite you to experience the many musical opportunities offered here at St. Matthew’s.  We strive to embrace the music of the Episcopal Church in the United States while maintaining a close connection to our Anglican musical heritage. 

The St. Matthew’s Parish Choir

The St. Matthew’s Parish Choir is comprised of volunteers. The choir provides music for the 10:30 a.m. service, monthly Choral Evensong, Holy Week, Feast Day Services, and other special events throughout the year, such as Advent Lessons and Carols. The choir sings a wide variety of choral music ranging from the early Renaissance period to the 21st Century.  The choir rehearses during the academic year each Wednesday from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm and on Sundays from 9:15 am – 10:15 am. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the choir, have experience reading music, can match pitch, and commit to the choir schedule, please consider joining us. For more information contact Dr. Jason A. Wright at music@stmatthewshillsborough.org.  

The St. Matthew’s Choral Scholar Program

The Choral Scholar program at St. Matthew’s is a scholarship program for students in a music department or a school of music, following a successful interview and audition. Alternatively, the scholarship may be given to a degree‐seeking student in a non‐music discipline, dependent upon demonstrable choral training and singing ability.  Choral Scholars (one-two per section) are recruited to sing in The St. Matthew’s Parish Choir with the primary role of being the leader of the section.

The St. Matthew’s Youth Choir

The St. Matthew’s Youth Choir is for students sixth through twelfth grade and rehearses on Sunday afternoon from 3 pm – 4 pm each Sunday. The choir is affiliated with RSCM.  At various times throughout the year, the Youth Choir takes part in the 10:30 am service.  We seek to musically engage older singers while preparing them to become active, contributing members of our Parish. The focus of the rehearsal is on developing young voices and musicianship skills through the preparation of sacred repertoire.

The St. Matthew’s Novice Choir

The Novice Choir is for students first through fifth grade and rehearses on Wednesday afternoon from 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm. The choir is affiliated with RSCM.  At various times throughout the year, the Novice Choir takes part in the 10:30 am service.   The Novice Choir’s mission is to make joyful, beautiful music while teaching children that they hold a very special place in the worship at St. Matthew’s.

The St. Matthew’s Women’s Singing Circle

Th St. Matthew’s Women’s Singing Circle meets on the last Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the church for a service of Compline, and mostly, a cappella singing. The Sunday Compline service is a monthly offering of fellowship and spiritual practice that is open to all interested women, whether members of St. Matthew’s or not. The singing time is both one of practice and process:  the practice of a shared songbook of core material that has developed over the years; the act of worshiping God; and the work of building community through song. Occasionally, the Women’s Singing Circle performs through our Faith and Arts Series as well as at the invitation of other churches and community venues. Members are not required to perform. Each concert or outing is an open invitation which members are free to participate in or not. While extra practices are generally scheduled for performances, the singing portion of the Compline service might also be used to rehearse for an upcoming event. If you would like more information or wish to join, please contact Mary Rocap, at 919-732-9308.

St. Matthew’s Instrumentalists

St. Matthew’s contracts instrumentalists from the Great Triangle to make musical offerings in our liturgies.  Musicians are members of the Durham, Raleigh, and North Carolina Symphonies.

The St. Matthew’s Organ (Lizzie)

1883, Hook & Hastings, Opus 1169
2006, J. Allen Farmer, Restoration
Mechanical Action, 7 Ranks

Great
8’ Open Diapason
8’ Dulciana
4’ Octave

Swell (enclosed)
8’ Stopped Diapason (t.c.)
8’ Viola (t.c.)
8’ Bass Octave (used with Stopped Diapason and Viola)
4’ Flute

Pedal
16’ Sub Bass

Couplers
Swell to Great Unison
Swell to Great 8va
Swell to Pedal
Great to Pedal