Choristers to Offer Choral Evensong

This Sunday, March 8th at 5 P.M., the Choristers and two of our Cherubs will offer a service of Choral Evensong.  This service is in preparation for the following weekend, in which eight of our choristers and cherubs will travel to Charlotte for the 2026 Carolinas Treble Festival.  Last year, we had over fifty young singers and their supporting choir directors and mentors at Emmanuel for the 2025 Carolina Treble Festival, in which they served as the choir for our 10 A.M. Eucharist and then a 3 P.M. Choral Evensong.  This year, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, is hosting the 2026 Carolinas Treble Festival.  Alan Reed, who was the organist/choirmaster at Emmanuel 1986-1996, and is currently the organist/choirmaster at St. John’s, is serving as the host.  I’m thrilled to serve as the director.

In preparation of this, the choristers and cherubs will offer several selections as part of this Sunday’s Choral Evensong.  The canticles will be those composed by Robert J. Powell for treble voices and organ.  The choristers will also sing Andrew Walker’s beautiful Phos Hilaron.  As next Sunday, March 15th is Good Shepherd Sunday, I selected Colin Mawby’s stunning setting of Psalm 23.  The choristers will sing this in place of a more standard Anglican chant.  Mawby’s setting was made world famous in a recording by Charlotte Church.  Her video recording from Dormition Abbey in 2000 is worth knowing.  Here is the link:

https://youtu.be/NAHmiS5c7PA?si=7V15Ay3wTJTCm6RI

Please come support our choristers and cherubs this Sunday at our 5 P.M. Choral Evensong.  These young singers are a very important part of our music program, and they have recently made the commitment to do the work necessary to work towards Royal School of Church Music certifications.  They are an amazing group of young singers.  Please let them all know how much you appreciate their gifts and let them know you are proud of them.

The prelude and closing voluntary will be performed by pianist Logan Duke, offering works by Chopin and Mozart.

A reception with sherry, lemonade, and charcuterie will follow in the Parish Hall foyer.  All are welcome. 

If you happen to be in Charlotte next Sunday, March 15th, please come and support our young singers as they offer glorious music at St. John’s at the 10:15 A.M. Eucharist and then again at a 3 P.M. Choral Evensong.