From the music director: Summer rejuvenation and a patron saint
By Jesse Ratcliffe • Director of Music
Jesse Ratcliffe is the director of music.
“O God, whose Spirit fills Your church with life and vigor,
Grant us a fruitful and renewing rest during the summer ahead,
And fresh conviction and commitment to Your service in the season to come;
Through Jesus Christ, who bring us new life. Amen”
From “Choir Rehearsal Prayers” — Quentin Faulkner
Since the first week in September, members of the music ministry of Saint James’ have sung, rung, or played for over fifty liturgies ranging from Sunday morning, Evensong, Lessons & Carols, Christmas Eve, Holy Week, baptisms, funerals, Festive Eucharists, Children’s Eucharists, and services with Common Threads. A summer of rest and rejuvenation is well-deserved!
Even as we downshift into “summer mode”, the music on Sunday mornings will still be quite robust. Every Sunday the choir will meet at 9:15 a.m. to rehearse the morning’s hymns and service music. Throughout the summer, we will hear offerings from parish instrumentalists and solos from our section leaders. The church band will lead worship on the second Sundays of June, July and August. On Sunday, Aug. 30, we’ll have a blended service at 10:15 a.m. of both Adult Choir, organ and piano with the Church Band.
On Sunday, July 26, we will celebrate Saint James, our patron saint, with the service of Choral Evensong at 5 p.m. The voices of the Adult Choir will be augmented by voices from neighboring Episcopal parishes. The music will feature hymn paraphrases of the canticles: “Tell Out My Soul” (#438) and “Lord, God You Now Have Set Your Servant Free” (#499) and a lovely setting of the beloved hymn “Abide With Me” will serve as the anthem. The prelude, penned by English composer Alec Rowley, highlights the wide dynamic range of the organ; and the postlude is a fiery toccata-esque movement from an organ sonata by Felix Mendelssohn.
During our summer sabbath, the handbells will be shipped off to Malmark Handbell Bellcraftsmen to receive a full refurbishment. Worn parts will be replaced and each bell will receive a thorough mechanical polishing to preserve the bronze. The last refurbishment was completed in 2016, and such work should be completed every seven to 10 years. The ringers will debut the like-new bells at the beginning of the fall program year.
As I’ve mentioned before, please know that the door to the music ministry is always open to those that are interested in the ensembles at Saint James’. If you’re interested in being a “summer singer” or would like to add your skills to the band, please let me know!
As always, my inbox and office door are always open for questions.
Musically yours,
Jesse
Jesse Ratcliffe is the music director at Saint James’ Warrenton. Contact him at music@saintjameswarrenton.org.
