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.

 

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Music at St. Dunstan's Church 2007-2008

 

Celebrating Ten Years of the
Delaware-Parkey Organ, Opus 2 (1997)

 


Sunday
16 September
Pentacost 16:
Rally Day

10:45

Holy Eucharist
Introit: O God, my heart is ready - Philip Radcliffe
Anthem: Awake us, Lord, and hasten (from Cantata 22)
             - Johann Sebastian Bach
Motet: Blessed are the pure in heart - H. Walford Davies


Sunday
23 September
Pentacost 17:
Founders Day
10:45 Holy Eucharist
Introit:
The Lord is in his holy temple - George Thalben-Ball
Anthems: We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God - William McKie
               Let thy hand be strengthened - Christopher Dearnley

     

Howells of Delight
Festival Choral Evensong and Organ Recital

Dr. James B. Cochran, guest director

Sunday, 30 September 2007, at 4:00 p.m.

The St. Dunstan Choir continues its series of choral services in the Anglican tradition with a celebration of the music of Herbert Howells. The Choir will be led by Dr. James Cochran, Organist and Director of Music of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, Naples, Florida, and Founder and Director of the Naples Philharmonic Center Chorale.

     
Saturday
29 September
9:00 -
noon
Open Rehearsal with James Cochran and the St. Dunstan Choir followed by Catered Lunch in the Parish Hall (reservations requested).
     
Sunday
30 September
Pentacost 17
4:00 Organ Recital with James Cochran (Naples, Florida)
     
  4:30 Choral Evensong
Introit:
Here is the little door - Herbert Howells
Responses: Thomas Tallis
Psalm: 122 - Chant: Herbert Howells
Service: Collegium Regale - Howells
Anthems: My eyes for beauty pine - Howells
               Like as the hart desireth the waterbooks - Howells
Voluntary: Master Tallis's Testament - Howells
     

Sunday
7 October
The Feast of Saint Francis
10:45
The Blessing of the Animals and Festival Eucharist
Outdoor Service in the Beech Grove
Music chosen and led by Bruce Lafitte, Music Associate

Sunday
4 November
The Sunday after All Saints Day
10:45 Jazz Eucharist with Baptisms
Music led by J. R. and Company

Tyrone Jackson, piano
Bob Lewis, horns
William Hatcher, bass
James Millikan, drums

Sunday
11 November
Pentecost 24: Veteran's Day
10:45 Holy Eucharist
Psalm: 121 (with Requiem
æternam)
            - Chant: H. Walford Davies
Anthem: They that go down to the sea - Herbert Sumsion
Motet: Sunset - C. Hubert H. Parry

Wednesday
21 November
Thanksgiving Eve
6:00P Festal Eucharist
Anthem: Draw us in the Sprit's tether- Harold Friedell
Motet: O taste and see - Ralph Vaughan Williams

Sunday
25 November
Last Pentecost: Christ the King
10:45 Festal Eucharist
Introit: Laudate Nomen Domini - Christopher Tye
Anthem: King Jesus hath a garden - Dutch Carol,
             
arr. Charles Wood

Sunday
2 December
Advent 1
10:45 Holy Eucharist
Antiphons: O Emmanuel; O Sapentia - Plainsong
Anthem: In night's dim shadows lying
             - Katholisches Gesangbuch, arr. George Guest
Chorale: Wachet auf! - Jakob Prætorius

Sunday
9 December
Advent 2
10:45 Holy Eucharist with the Men of the Choir
Antiphons: O Adonaï; O Radix Jesse - Plainsong
Carols: Adam lay ybounden - Peter Warlock
           Illuminare Ierusalem - Anonymous (15th cent.)

An Advent Procession with Carols

Sunday, 9 December 2007, at 4:00 p.m.

Traditional Anglican candlelight service with music by the St. Dunstan Choir. Scriptural Lessons from the Prophets and Gospels alternate with carols and hymns in a moving and dramatic portrayal of the world awaiting the Savior. Carols by Peter Warlock, Stephen Cleobury, George Guest, Charles Wood, Morten Lauridsen, and others.

Organ Prelude at 3:30 p.m.
Music of Bohuslav Martinu, J. S. Bach, and Franz Liszt


Sunday
16 December
Advent 3
10:45 Holy Eucharist with the St. Dunstan Schola
Antiphons: O Clavis David; O Oriens - Plainsong
Anthem: Rejoice in the Lord alway - Anon. (16th century)
Motet: O praise the Lord - Adrian Batten

Sunday
23 December
Advent 4
10:45 Holy Eucharist with the Women of the Choir and St. Cecilia Choristers
Antiphons: O Rex Gentium; O Emmanuel - Plainsong
Carols: I sing of a maiden - Patrick Hadley
           Manger Carol - French Carol, arr. Leo Sowerby

Monday
24 December
Christmas Eve
5:00P Festal Eucharist with the St. Cecilia Choristers
Carols: Patapan - Burgundian Carol, arr. Martin Shaw
           Coventry Carol - 15th cent., arr. Martin Shaw
     
  10:30P Festival Eucharist
Music of the Season for Choir, Soloists, and Organ
     
  11:00P Festal Eucharist with the Choir and Schola
Introit: En! natus est Emmanuel - Michael Praetorius
Carols: Joys Seven - arr. Stephen Cleobury
           
Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree - Elizabeth Poston
Motet: O magnum mysterium - Morten Lauridsen

Sunday
30 December
Christmas I
10:00 A Festival of Lessons and Carols and Festal Eucharist with members of the Choir
Carol: A New Year’s Carol - Benjamin Britten

Sunday
6 January
The Epiphany
10:45 Festal Eucharist
Introit: We have seen his star - Everett Titcomb
Carol: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day - John Gardner

Sunday
13 January
Epiphany I:
The Baptism
10:45 Festal Eucharist with the Choir and Schola
Introit: From the rising of the sun - F. A. Gore Ouseley
Anthem: The Baptism of Christ - Peter Hallock
Carol: The Lamb - John Tavener

Sunday
20 January
Epiphany 2:
Christian Unity
10:45 Holy Eucharist
Introit: Cantate Domino - Giuseppe Pitoni
Anthem: The Secret of Christ - Richard Shephard
Motet: O Sacred Feast - Healey Willan

St. Dunstan's Visiting Choir Series
The Office of Compline and Organ Recital

The Schola of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Atlanta
John Whitt, director

Brad Hughley, organist
Sunday,
20 January 2008, at 4:00 p.m.

Known as the “bedtime” service, Compline is the simplest of the monastic offices and offers a meditative and peaceful way to begin the work week. A vital part of the worshiping community of St. Bartholomew’s since 1986, the Schola of unaccompanied voices sings the entire service in a candlelit church with incense, offering a varied repertoire of a capella music from chant to 20th century. St. Dunstan’s welcomes the Schola and warmly invites you to explore this beautiful service as part of your own spiritual practice.

Organ Recital at 4:00 p.m.
Brad Hughley, Organist-Choirmaster, St. Bartholomew’s Church


Sunday
27 January
Last Sunday after The Epiphany: The Transfiguration
10:45 Festal Eucharist with the Choir and the St. Cecilia Choristers
Introit: Salvation is created - Pavel Tschesnokoff
Anthems: Jesu, joy of man’s desiring (from Cantata 147 )
               - Johann Sebastian Bach
               Fairest Lord Jesus - Calvin Hampton

Wednesday
6 February
Ash Wednesday
Noon The Solemn Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
Anthems: Miserere, my Maker - Anonymous (16th century)
               Pie Jesu (from Requiem) - Gabriel Fauré
 
  7:00P The Solemn Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
Anthem: Inter vestibulum et altare - Giacomo Antonio Perti
Motet:
Hide not thou thy face from us - Richard Farrant

Sunday
10 February
Lent I
10:45 The Great Litany and Holy Eucharist
Antiphon: A Lenten Prose, verse 1 - Plainsong
Litany: Plainsong
Anthem: Jesus loves me - Bradley Phillips

Sunday
17 February
Lent 2
10:45 Holy Eucharist with the St. Dunstan Schola
Antiphon: A Lenten Prose, verse 2 - Plainsong
Anthem: Ave verum Corpus - William Byrd
Motet: Let thy merciful ears, O Lord - Thomas Mudd

Sorrow, Peace, Joy ...
A Lenten Meditation with Carols

Sunday, 24 February 2008, at 4:00 p.m.
A Co-Production with
Mary and Martha's Place, Center for Women's Spirituality

The Great Forty Days of Lent, with all of their inherent spiritual drama and profound implications, have provided artists for centuries with sources of inspiration. Please join Mary & Martha’s Place and the St. Dunstan Choir for this liturgical sequence of prayers, readings, carols, and anthems arranged to amplify the various themes observed by the Christian world at this contemplative time.

Organ Prelude at 3:30 p.m.
Music of J. S. Bach, Leoš Janáček, and Kenneth Leighton

Sunday
24 February
Lent 3
4:00 A Lenten Meditation with Carols
Introit: Drop, drop, slow tears - Orlando Gibbons
Antiphons: Tenebræ Responsaries - Healey Willan
Carols: I wonder as I wander - Appalachian Carol,
           arr. John Jacob Niles
           
Down in yon forest - John Rutter
           
Mary Magdalene, Op. 22, No. 6
                       - Johannes Brahms
Motet: Blessed Savior - James Stephenson
Voluntary: Stèle pour un enfant défunt, Op. 58, No. 3
                - Louis Vierne
     

Sunday
2 March
Lent 4: Mid-Lent
10:45 Holy Eucharist with the Men of the Choir
Antiphon: A Lenten Prose, verse 4 - Plainsong
Anthems: My eyes for beauty pine - Herbert Howells
               
O praise the Lord, my soul - Mikail Ippolitov-Ivanov

Sunday
9 March
Lent 5
10:45 Holy Eucharist with the Women of the Choir and the St. Cecilia Choristers
Antiphon: A Lenten Prose, verse 5 - Plainsong
Anthems: “Kyrie” from Messe Basse - Gabriel Fauré
                
Grant us thy peace - Charles Gounod

Sunday
16 March
Palm Sunday
10:45 The Liturgy of the Palms and Solemn Eucharist
Antiphon: Hosanna in the highest - Plainsong
Anthem: In the garden - James Stephenson
             
(Premiere, in memory of Charles R. “Charlie” Yates)
Motet: Jesus, so lowly - Harold Friedell

Thursday
20 March
Maundy Sunday
7:30P Solemn Eucharist
Introit: The Holy Eucharist - William H. Harris
Anthems: Ubi caritas - Maurice Duruflé
               
The Best of Rooms - Gerald Near

Friday
21 March
Good Friday
Noon The Three Hours Devotion with members of the Choir
Reproaches: G. P. da Palestrina
Motets: Crux fidelis - King John IV of Portugal
            
Blessed Savior - James Stephenson
With works of Healey Willan, Richard Lloyd, Bruce Lafitte, Gabriel Fauré, and Giovanni Pergolesi

Saturday
22 March
Holy Saturday
7:30P The Great Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter with members of the Choir and Schola
Anthem: Most glorious Lord of life - William H. Harris
Motet: Blackbird - John Lennon and Paul McCartney,
          
arr. Daryl Runswick

Sunday
23 March
Easter Day
10:00 Celebratory Music Music of the Season for Choir, Soloists, and Organ
     
  10:45 Festal Eucharist with the Choir and the St. Cecilia Choristers
Introit: Antiphon of Spring - Everett Titcomb
Anthems: The Holy City - Stephen Adams, arr. Noble Cain
               
Surrexit Christus hodie - Samuel Scheidt
               
An Easter Carillon - W. Leonard Beck
               
Ain’t got time to die - Hall Johnson

Sunday
6 April
Easter 3
10:45 Festal Eucharist and Chorister Recognition
Music chosen by the St. Cecilia and St. Julian Choristers

Sunday
13 April
Easter 4: The Good Shepherd
10:45 Festal Eucharist
Anthem: Brother James’s Air - Scottish tune, arr. Gordon Jacob
Psalm: 23 - Chant: Charles Hylton Stewart

James Stephenson III, trumpet

with Stephen Furches, organ
Sunday, 20 April 2008, at 4:00 P.M.

The King of Instruments meets the Instrument of Kings in a concert of works both traditional and exotic. Naples Philharmonic trumpeter and composer James Stephenson and St. Dunstan organist Stephen Furches—recognized for their exploration of the unfamiliar in trumpet and organ repertoire—will perform works of André Fleury, Georg-Philipp Telemann, Giambattista Martini, Remo Giazotto, Franklin Ashdown, Dan Locklair, Alan Hovhaness, and James Stephenson.


Sunday
20 April
Easter 5
10:45 Festal Eucharist with the Women of the Choir and the St. Cecilia Choristers
Anthems: Ave verum corpus - Edward Elgar
               Christo resurgenti - François Couperin

Sunday
27 April
Easter 6
10:45 Festal Eucharist with the Men of the Choir
Anthems: The Song of the Tree of Life - R. Vaughan Williams
               The Call - R. Vaughan Williams

Sunday
4 May
Easter 7: The Sunday after the Ascension
10:45 Festal Eucharist
Introit: An Introit for Ascention - Anonymous, arr. Philip Ledger
Anthem: Good Christians all, rejoice - Ernest Bullock
Motet: God be in my head - H. Walford Davies

Sunday
11 May
The Day of Pentecost
10:45 Festal Eucharist
Hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus - Nicolas de Grigny
           (in alternatim with the Men of the Choir)
Introit: I will not leave you comfortless - Everett Titcomb
Anthem: Veni Sancte Spiritus - George Fenton
Motet: If ye love me - Thomas Tallis

Sunday
18 May
Trinity Sunday
10:45 Festal Eucharist
Introit: Laus Trinitati - Hildegard von Bingen
Anthems: As truly as God is our Father - William Mathias
               Duo seraphim - Richard Dering

     

 

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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!

Sundays

8:45 a.m. St. Dunstan's Adult Choir practice
10:45 a.m. St. Dunstan's Adult Choir supports the 10:45 a.m. service.

 

Wednesdays

4:30 - 5:15 p.m. St. Cecilia Choir (ages 8+)
5:30 - 5:55 p.m. St. Julian Choir (ages 4-7)
7:00 - 9:15 p.m. St. Dunstan's Adult Choir

 

 

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:

Great (enclosed)
 
Swell (enclosed)
8 Principal 61 pipes   8 Rhorflöte 61 pipes
8 Bourdon 61 pipes   8 Gemshorn 61 notes
4 Octave 12 pipes   4 Bourdon 61 notes
4 Rohrflöte 12 pipes   4 Gemshorn 61 pipes
2 Gemshorn 12 pipes   2 Principal 12 pipes
II Mixture (Plays notes 1-61) 74 pipes   1 1/3 Larigot (From Gemshorn) 61 notes
  Chimes (prepared)   1 Fife 61 notes
8 Swell to Great          
             
Pedal (enclosed)
16 Subbass 12 pipes
8

Principal Bass

32 notes
8 Gedeckt 32 notes
4 Choral Bass 32 notes
4 Rohrgedeckt 32 notes
  Great to Pedal  
  Swell to Pedal  

 

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Contact Us | ©2005 St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA