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. Ability to read and “speak” the basics of the language of music (being able to identify simple notations of pitch and rhythm) makes for ease of progress; but, those who do not yet know the language of music, yet are able to match and maintain pitch, are most welcome to participate. 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 at RPC.

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.

For information on joining the Chancel Choir, click here.

InstrumentALISTs

The second is to offer 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.

If these opportunities speak to you, please let Jason Charneski, Director of Music and Organist, know. 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 Choir

The Children's Music Program welcomes all in Grades 1 through 5.  This group meets Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. In these sessions, we explore the basics of music – pitch, rhythm, counting, notation – in interactive ways while learning music to be offered in worship on a regular basis.

This is an activity-filled way for children to make new friends, develop their musical and performance skills, learn about the Christian faith, and serve the church community through the arts.  Please contact Jason Charneski to learn more.

Youth Choir

The Youth Music Program welcomes all in Grades 6 through 8.  This group meets from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. on the Wednesdays that Connection (the Middle School Youth Group) meets. In these sessions, we build upon the skills learned in the Children’s Music Program. These additional aspects include creating new music and crafting words to complement existing forms. The goal is to offer something in worship on a regular basis. Please contact Jason Charneski for more information.

Organs and other Instruments 

A magnificent Casavant Frères pipe organ, 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.  Photos: Virginia Bender.