Music
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament:
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
- From Psalm 150
RPC’s music ministry strives to embody what the psalmist implores: ALL are to praise God. Thus, it is collective and continual; meaning, it is made all the more complete and enriched when we praise the Lord in all of the ways the psalmist describes.
Beyond raising our voices as those “in the pews,” there are many ways for you – child or adult – to participate.
For more information, please contact Jason Charneski, Director of Music and Organist, 914-967-0842, ext. 16, or send him an .
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir, open to all persons high-school age and up, sings each Sunday of the program year (approximately nine months), on the great festivals of the church year, and for occasional concerts or other services. The ability to read music makes for ease of progress, but anyone who can match and maintain pitch is welcome! The Chancel Choir is fortunate to have section leaders (a core of professional musicians) who assist and help to inspire all singers and, by extension, all who worship here.
The Chancel Choir’s regular schedule is Sunday-centered. The usual routine is to begin with warm-up at 9:15 a.m., sing the 10:00 a.m. service, and then have the weekly rehearsal from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (note: there is time for all to enjoy a bit of fellowship at coffee hour following the 10:00 a.m. service). If you are not able to sing the entire season, participation as your schedule allows is more than welcome. A few rehearsals take place on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings to allow for rehearsing with additional singers or instrumentalists for special events such as Cantata Sunday or concerts.
Please contact Jason Charneski to learn more.
InstrumentALISTs
Consider offering your gifts and abilities as an instrumentalist. Things such as playing an obbligato instrument part for an anthem or hymn arrangement, playing the prelude to worship, or playing during the sharing of the elements of Holy Communion testify to the wonderful diversity of sounds that can be employed to praise the Lord.
Please let Jason Charneski know of your interest. He will be happy to talk with you and answer your questions. Please speak with him when you are at the church, call him at 914-967-0842, ext. 16, or send him an .
Children's Music
Stories and Song for Children explores Biblical stories and attendant music for those age 5 through Grade 2. The sessions are held Wednesday afternoons during the program year (mid-September through mid-June), from 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. (a nutritious snack is available beginning at 3:30 p.m.).
Stories and Songs for Children is an opportunity for early elementary- age students to learn about the Christian faith with their ears and their eyes, engage in communal singing, and make new friends. Please contact Jason Charneski to learn more.
Youth Music
We hope to create structured music programs for older children and youth in upcoming program years. In the meantime, we encourage these developing disciples to consider contributing their musical abilities through offering to play in worship whatever instrument(s) they currently are studying. Please contact Jason Charneski to learn more.
Organs and other Instruments
A magnificent Casavant Frères pipe organ (built and installed in 1981), a Steinway concert grand piano, and a Broekmann harpsichord are three instruments in the sanctuary provide a firm foundation for music in worship and in concert. For a list of stops and more detailed information about the sanctuary organ, please click here. A small pipe organ, also by Casavant Frères, and a Kawai baby grand piano fulfill the majority of the accompaniment needs in the Crawford Chapel.
The Casavant Frères, opus 3506, 1982 organ. Photo: Virginia Bender.
