Music

Adult Choir

Focusing primarily on music sung in the Worship services at St. Stephen’s, the adult choir is a dedicated group of people who freely offer their time, faith, and love of music. The choir sings a wide variety of music which centers on the works of master composers throughout history,

particularly those who wrote in the great Anglican tradition. The choir also sings numerous new pieces each year, focusing on new compositional styles that reflect both the worship of God and sounds that well connect with the contemporary ear. For example, the English composer, pianist and jazz musician, Will Todd, has been welcomed into our worship twice in recent years.

The Adult choir rehearses each Wednesday evening from 7-9 PM and sings each Sunday at the 10:00 AM worship service.

Festival Choir

The St. Stephen’s Festival Choir comes together several times a year to present the three Choral Evensong services, a Spring Concert, and the annual “Carols by Candlelight” concert.

This group is made up of the Adult Choir and numerous other members of the St. Stephen’s Community as well as members of other faith communities in the area. Each concert has its own schedule of rehearsals and singers from all levels of ability are welcome to join in these truly remarkable events. Come and sing with us!

Chorister Program

The Chorister Program at St. Stephen’s follows the traditional Anglican/Episcopalian model of the intergenerational choir of Adults, Boys, and Girls singing together to lead worship. The Chorister Program accepts children in 3rd grade through High School and follows the Voice for Life training program which is produced by the international organization, The Royal School of Church Music.

Choristers meet every Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 to study singing, repertoire, elements of music, and music in liturgy. The group learns their importance as leaders of the worship service through the singing of Hymns, Service Pieces, and Anthems at approximately one Sunday each month.
Membership in the Chorister Program is not based on membership at St. Stephen’s Church, or any church for that matter. The program is open to the public for a modest fee and scholarships are available to ensure that any child who wants to participate may do so. A favorite part of the Wednesday meeting is the Family Dinner in which parents and siblings join the choristers and program staff for some food and fellowship provided by a different family each week. New choristers and their families are easily and warmly welcomed into the group.

Choristers are also encouraged to attend the Newport, RI Course of the Royal School of Church Music each August with tuition covered by the church. This is a one-week, sleep away camp held on the campus of Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. This past Summer, St. Stephen’s sent 5 choristers to this marvelous camp!

We welcome interested children and their families to observe a Wednesday evening session throughout the year.

For more information please call Scott Toperzer, Music Minister, at 203-438-3789 or e-mail Scott at stoperzer@ststephens-ridgefield.org