Music
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our church was built with music in mind: a great organ, about which you can learn more, and building acoustics that enhance the notes and tones of instruments, and voices that grace our weekly service music and frequent concerts. Our music ministry welcomes anyone of any age who wishes to participate in the fellowship and community of praising God through music.
At St. Peter's we recognize that there is more than one way to worship God and therefore we offer music of many traditions, from traditional Anglican choral repertoire to spirituals to contemporary praise music with instruments. Our musicians seek to celebrate with the entire parish, we encourage participation and we aim to proclaim the Gospel to the broader community through outreach programs such as the annual Community Christmas Carol Sing in the Village and concerts and recitals at the church.
The Chancel Choir's primary purpose is to offer musical leadership each Sunday morning during worship by supporting the congregation in singing service music, hymns, and communion music, and by offering an anthem on behalf of the congregation. From time to time the choir offers music for memorial services, concerts and other special services such as Christmas Eve and choral evensongs.
Our skill levels range from novice to professional. Some have joined the choir as a new experience upon retirement, some began as choirboys and others are just beginning their choral experience as teenagers. Indeed, all are encouraged to visit a few rehearsals to experience the rich choral repertoire first hand. We rehearse every Wednesday evening from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Please contact Tim McKee, Music Director, at the church office if you would like to know more.
During the summer, we welcome "Sunday Morning Singers" who would like to join us for rehearsal at 9 a.m. to sing that morning's service at 10 a.m. This music is generally easier and can be learned quickly, so if you've been thinking about giving choir a try, summer is a great time to put your toe in the water. We also rehearse once every three weeks in the summer to get a head start on new anthems and to have fun together. Please check with the church office for rehearsal dates, times and location.
Our comprehens
ive, graded program for children begins with weeky classes for toddlers who not only sing but participate in a wide variety of musical activities -- listening, moving to music and playing rhythm instruments. At age 6, children enter the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Voice for Life program and continue this program into the teenage years. This curriculum offers tuition-free music lessons whereby participants learn to read music, develop valuable vocal skills, and experience the benefits of real teamwork where eveyoneis in the game. Research shows that taking part in music classes builds concentration skills and brain power through processing complex information. Recently college-bound teens have found that membership in an RSCM-affiliated choir catches the eyes of recruiters. Our children take part in Sunday morning worship, special services during Christmas and Easter, and present a musical play each year.
Wednesday Rehearsals: Children ages 4-6 3:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Children ages 7-9 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Children ages 10 and older 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR – DR. TIMOTHY MCKEE
St. Peter’s welcomed Dr. Timothy McKee in September 2009. Dr. McKee served as Organist and Choir Director at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra, Florida for eight years. His career includes solo performances at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and Lincoln Center in New York City and internationally as well.
While at Christ Episcopal Church, Dr. McKee created 5 children's and teens' choirs, family choirs, men’s and women’s ensembles and conducted state-wide choir camps and retreats for teenagers - all in collaboration with fellow musicians to encourage broader involvement in the joy of
music. He created and implemented a music program specifically addressing the self-expression needs of autistic children.
Dr. McKee’s innovative energies were responsible for founding and directing the Amelia Arts Academy, a community arts school on Amelia Island, Florida, that included visual art classes and dance classes for 1,500 children in public schools, an African Dance Troupe that performed at the Kennedy Center for the National Festival of the Arts, and private music lessons for children in the community who otherwise could not afford them.
In recognition of Dr. McKee’s excellence, he was appointed grant evaluator for the Florida State Arts Council and served as program examiner for the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
Dr. McKee received his Bachelor of Church Music at Stetson University; his Master of Music at the University of Kansas, and his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Juilliard. His postgraduate work includes organ performance study at the Paris Conservatory, choral conducting and composition at the Royal School of Church Music in the UK, and Diplomas I and II in Arts Management at the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. Dr. McKee is married to Mary Watanabe, who graduated from Juilliard also, is a Fulbright Scholar, concert pianist and piano teacher. Son Spencer, age four, began his music education at age 2 1/2.
St. Peter’s Schantz Pipe Organ
The Schantz Organ Company from Orrville, Ohio, completed the installation of a new 56-rank pipe organ at St. Peter's in September, 2003. Eleven ranks sing from an antiphonal division over the west door; the remainder are housed in a magnificent mahogany case at the east end. The organ was dedicated at a service of Evensong on October 12, followed by a recital by Indianapolis organist Dale Caldwell. The church is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and visiting organists are welcome to enjoy the instrument, but we suggest that you call first to check the schedule.