A Community that Loves Music
St. Paul’s Brookline is a church community that sees music as central to its spiritual life. We are blessed at St. Paul’s to have a sanctuary with an acoustic that inspires and rewards singing and music-making of all sorts. As you enter the sanctuary for the first time, it is hard to miss the Marshall & Ogletree organ standing up high behind the altar, speaking of the centrality of music in our church life. And when you first “hear” the space – when someone starts to sing or when an instrument begins to play – it is clear that this is a sanctuary that celebrates and nurtures the role of music in drawing us closer to the spiritual currents running so deeply in our lives.
In addition to the main sanctuary, the chapel also has a lovely acoustic that nurtures a sense of musical intimacy with its wonderful resonance. In short, St. Paul’s is a church where music-making is fundamental to our experience of worship and ministry. (Indeed, the quality of the sanctuary acoustic is such that the church is in high demand as a concert/recital space among performers from area music schools and arts organizations: We host an average of forty concerts per year.)
The goal of the music program at St. Paul’s is to produce outstanding music, stimulating both congregational participation and spiritual energy. With this in mind, we provide a range of musical opportunities and a variety of special choral services. For more information about music at St. Paul’s beyond what is offered below and elsewhere on this website, please contact Andrew Clarkson, Director of Music and Organist, at andy.clarkson@mac.com.
The St. Paul’s Choir
The St. Paul’s Choir is composed of professional and volunteer singers. Anyone interested in singing in the choir should speak with Andy Clarkson to arrange an audition. The choir sings from September to June at the 10 a.m. Sunday services, as well as at special choral services throughout the church year. Such special services include:
Candlelight Carols (Sunday before Christmas)
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass
Choral Lenten Invitation Service (The evening of the first Sunday in Lent)
Good Friday
Rehearsals for the choir are on, on average, two Wednesday evenings per month and on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
The choir’s primary mission includes: a) cultivating the power of music in our lives and nurturing that power in our church community; b) welcoming all, regardless of belief and/or religious identity; and c) being flexible so as to accommodate singers’ busy schedules (our professionals sing always, but our volunteers sing when they are able - some sing all the time, some occasionally).
The choir’s repertoire includes a wide variety of music aimed to both challenge us musically and move us spiritually. Selections range from early music to contemporary, from classics to premiers. We are particularly drawn to the performance of a cappella works.
Joyful Voice
Joyful Voice is an all-volunteer, multi-generational chorus that sings periodically through the church year. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your musical training or ability to read music. We celebrate all voices, all ages, all backgrounds. To sing in Joyful Voice, all you need is a love of music and a willingness to make it to church for rehearsal on Sunday morning at 9 a.m.
Children’s Music
Children’s music at St. Paul’s is led by Julie Starr and Laura Tanis, among others, who introduce children to the world of sacred music and prayer with a loving touch. Children and youth of all ages make musical offerings periodically through the year. We are blessed to have Julie, Laura, and other volunteers providing our children with their special musical gifts.
Annual Messiah Sing
Each year, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline, MA hosts a community sing of Handel's Messiah (Part 1 and the Hallelujah Chorus) at 5 p.m. on the first Sunday of December. The congregation is organized into voice parts (SATB), provided music, and then, with only a little warm-up rehearsal, we sing through the Messiah as a wonderful avenue into the mysteries of Advent and Christmas. Soloists are drawn from the St. Paul's Choir, and accompaniment is provided by organ and strings.
Candlelight Carols Service
The Candlelight Carols Service at St. Paul's Brookline serves as a vessel, a means to help us return to this most remarkable story of God’s coming among us as a child in Bethlehem. At this time of darkness in Advent, our hope is that you will come join us to listen, sing, and ponder anew the possibilities of a promise of light penetrating into even the deepest and most relentless darkness. Come and open yourself, bring your children, and approach the wonder of Christmas, in all of its hope and love.
Lenten Choral Invitation Service
The "Lenten Invitation" service seeks to follow the lead of Ash Wednesday, inviting us into a deeper connection with the offer and promise of Lent. Its aim is to help us "reclaim" the ashes, and focus our attention and intention on the season that lies before us with its inherent opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal. The service includes contemporary and traditional readings, prayers, hymns, anthems, and The Mozart Requiem (the Robert Levin version), sung by the St. Paul's Choir. We hope that you choose to make this service a part of your Lenten journey.
Our Organ Has a Story
Our organ, which once resided at Trinity Church Wall Street, has its own remarkable story which can be found here. We thank those who have contributed to the Worship for the Millennia campaign that is making such wonderful improvements to our worship experience in our beloved Sanctuary. You can make a pledge here towards the completion of this campaign. A free will donation is also welcome by donating here.