Music
The objective of the Music Ministry is to enhance and enrich, through music, the Gospel and spoken word of the Worship Services.
Our 11 o'clock worship service is enriched by the organ and choral music. On Christmas Eve, the two services are enhanced with instruments, choir, and vocal soloists. A 12-14 member choir sings anthems at the 11:00am Sunday service and rehearses before the service and on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm in the church.
The Jessie S. Johnson Memorial Organ was dedicated on October 6, 1996. It was built by Casavant Freres of St. Hyacinth, Quebec, in Canada. The tonal design is that of 19th century French instruments which were being built at the same time the present church building was erected in 1883. It is comprised of 28 ranks under 2.75 to 4.0 inches of wind pressure with a total of 1,631 pipes. The solo reed is a Trompette de fete under 13 inches of pressure; it is designed after the solo trumpet on the classic E.M. Skinner Organ at Girard College in Philadelphia. The instrument also has chimes, which were donated by Harry Calvert Orem and retained from the previous pipe organ (build in 1957 by M. P. Moeller, Hagerstown, MD), and clochettes (10 softly ringing bells).
The piano in the Christ Church sanctuary is a 1993 Kawai 6'1" Conservatory Grand Piano imported from Japan. It was given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Martin & Gladys Hepner, John & Odessa Richard, Edwin & Ruby Young, Robert & Ida Andrews, Louise Woolford Chambliss, John Caldwell Johnstone, and Samuel Paul Wise III. It was dedicated during a special concert on April 4, 1993, with Robert E. Young as the pianist.
Concert Series
2011-2012 Season
Date Performer(s) Type of Performance September 25* Lyra Russian Choral Ensemble November 13 Duo Orfeo Classical Guitar December 18 Tidewater Chamber Singers Choral Ensemble April 1 Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition Winners Chamber Music May 20 Jay Parrotta Organ
*This performance will be at 7pm. All concerts are held on Sunday afternoon at 4pm followed by a reception in the parish hall.
The Christ Church Concert Series was founded in 1992. The initial purpose was to raise the consciousness of the Parish and the community of our plans for a new organ which culminated with the installation of the Casavant Organ in 1996. Because the Concert Series was so successful in its own right, it continued and is now sponsored by our Music Committee. The series includes five concerts a year and features a variety of types of music, including early music groups, vocal groups, organ and piano concerts, big band and brass band concerts.
Interested patrons may support these concerts by purchasing a subscription as Maestro at $1,000 or more; Virtuoso at $500-$999; Producer at $250-$499; or Director at $150-$249. A pair of season tickets is $75.00 for all five concerts. Tickets at the door are $10.00 each. Children and students are admitted for free. If you would like to be a season subscriber or be placed on the mailing list, please contact the Church Office at 410-228-3161.