Musical Tradition

Since its founding in 1854, Emmanuel Episcopal Church has maintained a music program of extraordinary excellence. Always a parish that has pursued its unique perspective, Emmanuel eschewed the trappings of the Oxford movement in the late 19th century, maintaining a professional adult choir of mixed voices rather than the more traditionally Anglican men and boys choir. That persists to the current day. Our 18 voice professional choir regularly performs repertoire that spans over five centuries, ranging from Renaissance polyphony to modern works written specifically for the choir, from Tudor anthems to African-American spirituals, and everything in between.

Currently the choir performs a motet and an anthem on Morning Prayer Sundays while on Eucharistic Sundays the music is a mass setting with an anthem. In addition to the regular liturgical schedule, the choir also performs a traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on either Advent I or Advent IV (this year will mark the 94th annual festival) and a Meditation on the Passion of Christ with Carols on Lent 1.  The Kiltie Band of York brings the skirling of bagpipes to Emmanuel every St. Andrew’s Day, and additional instrumentalists often accompany the choir on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.

Emmanuel is most proud of its newly installed Letourneau Opus 114 pipe organ.  The installation was completed just in time for Easter, 2009!  Emmanuel is planning a series of special events featuring the new organ during the 2009-2010 season.