St. Johns offers a rich and varied music program both during holy Eucharist and for special events. Our calendar for the third and fourth quarters of 2007 includes:
Upcoming Special Musical Events Scheduled for St. Johns Church in December
Sunday, December 2, 2007, 4:00 p.m. – The James River Ringers Christmas concert will take place in St. John’s sanctuary. Performing on five octaves of Malmark English handbells, this 12-member handbell choir is Richmond’s premier auditioned community handbell group. The Ringers are dedicated to performing quality handbell music, including hymn arrangements, classical works, popular arrangements, and original compositions. They are dedicated to promoting the art of handbell ringing through public concerts, workshops, and classes that help educate and entertain.
Sponsored by St. Johns Church, the James River Ringers Christmas concert will benefit St. Johns outreach programs Tickets may be purchased at the door for $12.00 and in advance for $10.00. For more information concerning advance purchase of tickets, call 804-932-4448 or e-mail JamesRRingers@juno.com.
Sunday, December 16, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Parish Hall – A vigorous, joyful group of singers hailing from places throughout the Commonwealth will return to St. Johns for a special Christmas practice session/sing-along, open to the public. The Richmond Sacred Harp Singers is an eclectic group of singers from all denominations who sing old familiar hymns from The Sacred Harp, a psalter first published in 1844, and now in its 17th edition. Many hymns in the psalter have earlier origins. However, songs for the December 16 event will be drawn from a special Christmas edition of The Sacred Harp psalter.
“Loaner” psalters will be available to folks who come to the session and wish to sing-along. Even if participants do not read traditional music notes, they will soon learn how to sing hymns in four-part a capella harmony by “shape-notes,” (“fa-so-la-mi” are sounds with different geometric shapes). The idea dates to Early New England, when psalm-based hymns were popular but not everyone could read sheet music. Shape-note music was created for people who could not read music. In fact, people who do not read music actually master shape-note singing much faster than people who read music.
If you thrive on the Anonymous Four, or liked the background music in the films “Cold Mountain” and “O Brother Where Art Thou,” you will relish this style of singing. Come to St. Johns Parish Hall on December 16 to find out - float in or out as you wish, participate or just listen, learn to read shape-note music, discover an old version of many familiar hymns, and make plenty of joyful noises! Your ears are guaranteed to experience a unique musical event. No admission will be charged.
When in our music God is glorified,
And Adoration leaves no room for pride,
It is as though the whole creation cried
Alleluia! Alleluia!
How often, making music, we have found
A new dimension in the world of sound,
As worship moved us to a more profound
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Words: F. Pratt Green
(from The Hymnal 1982