We give
thanks for the music we make
together in Christ's name;
for those
who compose and conduct it,
who play and perform it:
that the
glory of God may be heard in
it,
and that the
hearts of all people may
rejoice in it;
through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At St. Thomas' Church, we celebrate the gift of music, and we recognize
its power to transform us, to help us know God more perfectly,
and to inspire us to live more deeply into our faith.
As Episcopalians, we share in an Anglican choral music tradition of
exceptional beauty.
Our choirs sing anthems from the 16th through the 21st centuries,
spirituals, and music from the folk traditions of many different
cultures.
We sing with joy and we strive for excellence in all our music-making.
The Choirs
Bless, O Lord, us thy servants, who
minister in thy temple; Grant that what we sing with our lips, we may
believe in our hearts; and what we believe in our hearts, we may show
forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The
Choristers'
Prayer, RSCM

The chief choir at St.
Thomas' Church is the whole community gathered
for worship.
The Psalmist encourages us to sing new songs to the Lord. Our voices
and all our being were designed to praise the Creator.
Regardless of your singing ability, God loves to hear your voice.
We have singing opportunities and choirs for all ages, and all levels
of experience. We invite you to find a place in one of our choirs. The
Music Department is housed in Groton House, on the south side of the
church building. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays. If you are interested in
any of these choirs, please call
Cindy DeDakis, Minister of Music 215-233-3970, ext. 141
Choir Registration
Form Downloads:
Alle*gro

Boys and girls in Pre-K and
Kindergarten
Schedule:
Class meets Wednesdays 4:00 - 4:25
Using games, instruments, and songs, children have fun with music as
they develop listening skills and discover their voices.
St.
Francis Choir New this year!
Boys and girls in grades 1 through 3
Schedule:
Choir rehearses Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:00
A preparatory choir, readying boys and girls for participation in
Choristers. Children learn basic music reading skills, become more
confident singers, and are introduced to the hymnals and to our
worship. St. Francis Choir will sing several times at the 9:30 service,
occasionally joining with the Choristers.
St.
Thomas Choristers

Boys and girls in grades
3 through 8
Affiliated
with the
Royal School of Church Music;
using its training program, VOICE for LIFE.
* comprehensive instruction in voice, music theory, ear training, music
history and Christian education
* opportunities to develop leadership skills
* older choristers mentor younger singers
* includes fun activities and choir trips
Interested
families should schedule an interview with the Minister of
Music.
Schedule:
Junior Choristers, gr. 3-5 rehearse Wednesdays 5:15 - 6:30
Senior Choristers, gr. 6-8 rehearse Wednesdays 6:45 - 8:00
Sing for 9:30 a.m. service on Second and Fourth Sundays, September
through May, and for special liturgies and festivals; Choristers take a
Singing Trip each year
The First Sunday Choir New this year!
Adult singers (high school and up) with ability to match pitch
No audition necessary
Rehearses and sings on First Sunday of each month, October through June
Schedule:
Rehearse at 8:40 a.m. Sing for 9:30 service
One Saturday (half day) rehearsal in
September and January
St. Thomas Choir
For adult singers (high school and up); ability to read music is
necessary
Audition required.
An excellent opportunity for more experienced adult singers to
learn challenging and fun repertoire, assisted by a small group
of staff singers. Participates in Music Festival Sundays and the annual
Three Choirs Festival.
Call Minister of
Music to schedule an audition.
Schedule:
Rehearse 2 Wednesdays per month 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Sing for 9:30 a.m. service on First and Third
Sundays, September through May and for special liturgies at Christmas,
Holy Week
and Easter
Festival
Choir
No audition necessary. Some singing experience is helpful. We invite
all singers who can match pitch and are able to commit to the rehearsal
schedule for any one or more of these events:
Requiem by Gabriel
Fauré
Sunday October 31 at 3 p.m.
Requiem Mass to honor the
departed.
Rehearsals:
Wednesdays, October 13, 20 and 27
Saturday, October 30
Festival of Negro Spirituals
celebrating the feast of Absalom Jones
Sunday
morning, February 13 at the 9:30 service
Rehearsals:
Wednesdays, January 26, February 2 and 9
Saturday, February 12
Christmas Eve Choir
7:30 p.m. and
10:30 p.m. services
Rehearsals:
Wednesdays, December 15 and 22
Saturday, December 18
Easter Day Choir
11:00 service
Rehearsals:
Wednesday, April 13 and Thursday,
April 21
Summer Choir
For all singers, age 8 through 88
All are welcome to participate in Summer Choir.
It's a wonderful opportunity to give choir a try. Come one Sunday or
many.
No need to audition or sign up in advance - just come and sing!
Schedule:
Sundays mid-June - July
Rehearsal at 9:15
a.m.; Sing for 10:00 service
The Organs
St. Thomas' Church has two organs built by Casavant Frères of
Québec, Canada. The primary organ is a 3-manual, 55-rank
instrument built in 1964, with renovations and additions in 2003. It
supports hymn-singing brilliantly and can be used to perform the
standard organ repertoire. The second is a 4-rank mechanical action
positive organ built by Casavant in 1978.
The
Carillon
Within the tower of St. Thomas hangs the 48 bell Carillon, dedicated in
1974 to parishioner Catherine Colt Dickey. The largest bell weighs
3,300 pounds (sounding D); the smallest only 24 pounds. The
bells are played manually from a baton-type console. The carillon
was cast by the 300 year-old bell foundry, Petit and Fritsen of The
Netherlands. The carillon is played before and after worship
services, for weddings, funerals, for religious holidays, and other
special occasions. Carillonneurs from around the world are invited
annually to participate in the Summer Carillon Concert Programs, held
in July and August on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.. Immediately following
the carillon program, another musical program is presented. This
outreach program attracts thousands of visitors to the "Hill" each
year. Tours of the carillon tower are available upon request.
Music
Staff
Cynthia DeDakis, Minister
of Music, joined the staff of St.
Thomas' Church in June 2008. Prior to coming to St. Thomas', Mrs.
DeDakis directed the Chorister Academy at St. John's Lafayette Square
in Washington, DC, was director of music at Grace Episcopal Church,
Gainesville, GA and served as Associate Choirmaster at the Cathedral of
St. Philip, Atlanta, GA. She has conducted numerous chorister festivals
and training courses in the United States. She currently serves as
President of the Board of Directors of the Royal School of Church
Music in America, and is an active member of the Association of
Anglican Musicians.
Derrick Goff,
Organist, is a student of Ken Cowan at Westminster Choir College
majoring in Organ Performance and Sacred Music. Mr. Goff also sings in
the Westminster Choir and has performed at the Spoleto USA Festival in
the Opera Chorus.
Lisa Lonie
has been Carillonneur of St. Thomas' Church since 1999. Before coming
to St. Thomas' she was the Carillonneur at Trinity U.C.C. in Bucks
County for over 15 years. She is a North American trained carillonneur,
having begun her carillon studies with Frank Law, carillonneur at the
Valley Forge Chapel, and continuing with Frank DellaPenna, Master
Carillonneur.
Lisa is a Carillonneur member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North
America, has held various leadership positions in the organization, and
currently chairs its Examination Committee. Known for her musical wit
and creative programming, Ms. Lonie is a frequent recitalist throughout
the U.S., Canada, and Europe. She is a highly respected performer and
recording artist with over 30 years of musical experience with the
carillon. For more information about the carillon, please contact Lisa
at LLonie@hotmail.com.