Music Ministry

St. Michael's Chancel Choir

About the Choir

The purpose of the music ministry at St. Michael’s is to provide beautiful music which will enhance the worship experience and glorify God by uplifting the hearts and minds of both the listeners and the participants, and to offer participants an opportunity to share their musical talents in a meaningful and fulfilling way.

If you are interested in joining St. Michael’s Chancel Choir, feel free to contact John Cozza or any of our choir members, and they would be happy to talk with you.  We are looking for people with willing hearts, open minds, a desire to work hard and a commitment to give of their best.  All sections are open for new members.  Please join us in glorifying God through music and being part of the “family” which is the St. Michael’s Chancel Choir.

Join the Chancel Choir

Handbell Choir

The Handbell Choir is on temporary hold. Please check back, thank you!

 If you are interested in playing handbells or learning more, please contact Sue Gaston.  The Handbell Choir rehearses every-other Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. in Johnstone Hall.  Please consult the calendar for exact dates.

Join the Handbell Choir

Contemplative Music

A treat from John Cozza, our Minister of Music. Beautiful music that will help you relax. Thank you John for helping us all cope with the stress that the pandemic has brought to our lives!

Bach, arr. Cortot--Arioso/Largo from Harpsichord Concerto #5 in f minor, BWV 1056

The next few piano meditations will feature music by J.S Bach, who was born in this month in 1685. The composer reused this beautiful melody several times (quite unusual for him). Bach scholars believe that it originated as the slow movement for a now-lost oboe concerto. Besides the Keyboard Concerto, it can also be found as an oboe solo in the Prelude/Sinfonia to the Cantata BWV 156, Ich steh mit einem Fuss im Grabe. The transcription for solo piano is by renowned 20th-Century French pianist Alfred Cortot.

Choral Masterworks of the Week

The Seasons by Joseph Haydn

With the first day of Spring being this past Sunday, it seems appropriate to feature one of Haydn’s two late choral masterworks, The Seasons (the other is The Creation). The composer (whom most experts consider the “father” of the Symphony and String Quartet) himself thought these to be his best works. The Seasons (German: Die Jahreszeiten, Hob. XXI:3) is a secular oratorio by Joseph Haydn, first performed in 1801. Haydn was led to write The Seasons by the great success of his previous oratorio The Creation (1798), which had become very popular and was in the course of being performed all over Europe.

English Translation of the WorkLearn More About The Seasons

St. Matthew's Passion by J.S. Bach

In this next Music Box video, the Sacramento Baroque Soloist, Robin Fisher Soloist and John Cozza Organist play Ich will dir mein herze schenkin from St. Matthew’s Passion by J. S. Bach.

English Translation of the WorkLearn More About St. Matthew's Passion