St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia

Laudate Nomen Domini, vos servi Domini!
Ab ortu solis usque ad occasum ejus!

THANK YOU for your interest in Music at St. Dunstan’s. The Music Program of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church exists primarily to:

1. EDIFY the liturgies of our regular worship;
2. ENJOIN and EDUCATE the congregation; and
3. ENHANCE the cultural life of the community through music’s unique language of EVANGELISM.

Throughout most of its 400-year history, the Anglican Communion has promoted a tradition of rich and glorious worship as primary in life. If worship is to be authentic and valid, then it must be able to lift hearts to the knowledge and love of God and to the glories of God’s kingdom. It is then that we as Christians are empowered to offer a transforming ministry to a needy world.

The Anglican Communion has always considered music a vital component of worship. In one of his many sermons on music, Basil the Great, Bishop of Cæsarea (c.330-379), declared that “God mingles the sweetness of harmony with the divine Truth.” Certainly, this wonderful mingling continues to be felt week after week at St. Dunstan’s, where all regularly lift their varied talents in praise of the Glory of God. The Music Program not only belongs to, but also consists of, the entire congregation of St. Dunstan’s, whether they be active singers and instrumentalists, or quiet listeners who are silently uplifted.

Central to the Music Program at St. Dunstan’s is the St. Dunstan Choir, an all-auditioned adult ensemble which provides support and leadership to the congregation in the singing of hymns and service music. Consisting of fifteen thoroughly dedicated parish volunteers, the Choir also provides the carefully prepared anthems and motets which grace our Sunday services. In addition to regular Sunday morning worship, this season the Choir will continue its function of outreach through special Services of Music. Indeed, as we seek to more fully live and honor our Parish Mission Statement as “a witness to the world through serving others,” the Choir will continue to expand its ministry through exploration of the fine choral heritage of our Anglican tradition. Additional Services of Music this season will include Choral Evensong, the candlelight Advent Procession with Carols, and the beautiful Lenten Meditation with Carols.

The St. Dunstan Schola, the newest addition to music life at St. Dunstan’s, is a small ensemble of four to six singers selected from the Choir. Although originally founded to explore the complex polyphonic music of the Renaissance, the Schola has recently expanded its repertoire to include eclectic vocal works of more recent times.

St. Dunstan’s offers two choirs for children and young adults, both of which enjoy the spirit of learning and praise exemplified by the Royal School of Church Music motto, “I will sing with the spirit and also with understanding.” The St. Cecilia Choir for young adults (ages 8 and up) meets to rehearse every Wednesday from 4:30-5:15pm during the academic year. Our program is based upon the Chorister Training Program developed by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), founded in England by Sir Sydney Nicholson in 1927 , with the goal of raising the quality of music in the local parish church. The plan combines musical training with Christian education to enable children to reach their full potential, offering their musical gifts in our regular Sunday worship services several times throughout the year.

The St. Julian Choir for children (ages 4-7 ) also meets every Wednesday during the academic year from 5:30-5:55pm . We have a great time learning simple songs, dances, and games, all combined with music fundamentals. Rehearsals always include time for a little play and are followed at 6:00pm by our Wednesday evening Holy Eucharist and Village Suppers.

This year, St. Dunstan’s celebrates ten years of inspiring worship with its fine Delaware-Parkey Pipe Organ. The Organ was originally created for a Manhattan residence by the Delaware Organ Company of Tonawonga, New York, in 1964 . Rebuilt and relocated to St. Dunstan’s in 1997, with tonal revisions, new case, and new console by Phil Parkey and Associates of Atlanta, Georgia, the present instrument consists of two manual divisions and pedal controlling 18 stops, 6 ranks, and 378 pipes. Indeed, great things do often come in small packages! (Jump to a complete specification further down this page by clicking here.) Care of the Organ is entrusted to Phillip K. Parkey.

St. Dunstan’s is indeed blessed with thriving ministries and an enthusiastic congregation, a congregation which regularly finds solace and inspiration in the worship of this parish. All are welcome to participate in the worship, educational offerings, music, and fellowship of St. Dunstan’s: I encourage you to extend this invitation by sharing this brochure with family and friends, so that together we might glorify Christ, be lifted up in the Spirit, and go forth in witness to God’s Word, joyfully following the instructions of the Psalmist:

Praise the Lord, ye servants, O Praise the Name of the Lord!
Blessed be the Name of the Lord from this time forth for evermore!

Please feel free to contact me at any time!
STEPHEN L. FURCHES, Organist-Choirmaster
email or 404-266-1018
Click here for my bio.

Music at St. Dunstan's Church 2007-2008

St. Dunstan's Choirs for Children and Young Adults

Parents, do your children love to sing? Did they love singing during Vacation Bible School? Do your children love to make up songs? Really? All right, then! Let’s talk about getting them into one of St. Dunstan’s choirs for children or young adults!

The St. Cecilia Choir for young adults (ages 10 and up) meets to rehearse every Wednesday from 4:30-5:15 p.m. They also get to robe up and sing with the adults once a month!

The St. Julian Choir for children (ages 4-7, up to 10) also meets every Wednesday from 5:30-5:55 p.m. Rehearsals include time for a little play and are followed at 6:00PM by our Wednesday evening Village Suppers.

Both groups will learn songs, which we’ll offer during our Sunday Services, and we’ll spend lots of time learning how music on the page works, how to use our voices well, and singing hymns and service music. We’ll also get to see how all of this ties in with our Liturgical Year! (Do you know who ACELEP is? Wednesdays in the Choir Room is the place to find out!)

Please feel free to contact Steve Furches soon to talk about all the good stuff to come in kid’s music at St. Dunstan’s!

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St. Dunstan's Choir Schedule

Please consider joining one of St. Dunstan’s Choirs!
New members are always welcome in all groups!

The Music Library

The Music Library is the depository for all of the sheet music used by the adult and children's choirs.  It is kept in order by a volunteer member of the church.

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St. Dunstan's Pipe Organ

Click here to read the story of St. Dunstan's pipe organ.

Organ specification:

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