Music
Music has held an important place at St. Paul’s since its beginnings in the 19th century. Several nationally known persons over the years have held the position of music director, and professional vocalists have gone on from St. Paul’s to prominent careers. T. Frederick Candlyn, music director during the first half of the 20th century, is one of the best known names. St. Paul’s is, and has always been, known for the quality and beauty of its musical liturgies and concerts of choral and organ music.
St. Paul’s Choir
St. Paul’s choir has evolved over many years, starting from a professional vocal quartet, growing to a choir of men and boys through the first half of the 20th century, and finally becoming what it is today: a mixed adult choir of volunteers, and professional soloists and section leaders. The choir sings the 10:30 Sunday Eucharist every week from September to early June. Holy Week and Easter are the highlights of the liturgical year, with an Easter mass setting typically accompanied by a chamber orchestra of strings, oboe, trumpet, and timpani. Each spring the choir presents a concert of the music of J.S. Bach with chamber orchestra accompaniment. In past years the choir has presented the St. John Passion, the B minor Mass, and many of the sacred cantatas. New members are always welcome to join the choir by speaking to the music director and singing a simple, non-threatening vocal audition. St. Paul’s is fortunate to have a large, dedicated room where weekly rehearsals are held.
The Casavant Pipe Organ
St. Paul’s Casavant pipe organ is located prominently behind the reredos in the church sanctuary. The organ comprises three manuals and 68 ranks of pipes. It was designed by Lawrence Phelps and built in 1965 in a neo-Baroque style. Because of the organ’s great suitability for Baroque music, we hold an annual concert of Bach organ works performed by prominent local organists and, at times, nationally known concertisers. The combination of the organ and the superb acoustics of the church make these events very popular in the wider community. These events are a vital part of St. Paul’s outreach into the community at large.
Other Musical Events
Each year at the end of October, the choir and parish present CABARET. This evening of popular music presents the choir and the solo voices in the choir in a new and often hilarious way. The event is a joint fundraiser for both Music at St. Paul’s and a local charity such as “Loaves and Fishes” (a local Episcopal sponsored soup kitchen in downtown Albany). Other musical events throughout the year include winter and spring concerts by the Albany Gay Men’s Chorus who practice and perform at St. Paul’s, and from time to time the soloists of St. Paul’s Choir present a concert of arias, lieder, and art song
