Calvary’s high-quality music program offers an opportunity for active participation by members of the parish of all ages. The focus of the music program is to enhance the parishioners’ experience of the presence of God through the majesty and mystery of the Anglican Church Music tradition.
The adult choir is a non-professional ensemble consisting of members of Calvary along with four post-secondary music students who are paid as Choral Scholars. The role of the Choral Scholars, who are principally drawn from the University of California Santa Cruz, is to enhance the work of the volunteer members of the choir; in turn, they gain professional experience as working musicians and learn the rich heritage of the Anglican repertoire.
Typically, the choir leads the congregation in singing hymns and service music and chanting the psalm appointed for the day in addition to presenting an offertory anthem. During the year the adult choir also sings two or three Evensong services, several Special Choral Eucharist services, an annual Lessons and Carols service, and extra services around the Easter and Christmas seasons. The music ministry at Calvary is supported by our Schoenstein pipe organ (Opus 84, 1981) installed at Calvary in 2018 as well as a 6-foot Steinway grand piano.
Adults and children interested in participating in Calvary’s choir should see Murray Walker after church or email him at mwalker@calvarysantacruz.org.