Music in Worship
The choir’s ministry is threefold: to lead the congregation in the singing of hymns (both familiar and new) and service music; to present liturgy-related anthems in a wide variety of styles; and to function as a caring and supportive sub-group of the larger parish.
Meet our Ministers of Music
Our Ministers of Music are The Rev. Carlton and Lorna Russell, professional organists and choir directors with many years of experience. The Russells also oversee the care and maintenance of the church’s pianos and the Anne Parson Memorial Organ.
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The St. Francis Choir consists of a dedicated group of singers, both year-round and seasonal. Up to a dozen voices sing throughout the year, and a half-dozen more join the choir when seasonal members return. The choir rehearses on Thursday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
The Anne Parson
Memorial Organ
St. Francis houses an outstanding pipe organ by master builder Karl Wilhelm of Mont St-Hilaire, Québec, Canada. Built in 2000 and tonally revised in 2009 by the Andover Organ Company, this instrument is a fine example of the Baroque revival in American and Canadian organ building, and yet is designed to play effectively music of all periods.
Given through the generosity of the Parson family, the Anne Parson Memorial Organ has 20 stops, two manuals and pedals, and mechanical key and stop action. Detailed specifications of the organ are displayed below:
