St. Paul's Music

2023-24 Music Guild Program Information

The Evensong Concert Series at St. Paul's Episcopal Church begins large with the "Big Horn Brass" from Portland. This 18-piece ensemble includes trumpets, french horns, trombones, tuba and percussion. They will offer music by Ottorino Respighi, Richard Strauss and Aaron Copland. The concert follows the service of Evensong at 4:00pm on October 1st.

The "Fantasy in F Minor, D. 940 (Opus 103) by Franz Schubert will be the featured piece in a concert by duo-pianists Arsen and Asya Gulua. Arsen and Asya Gulua are from Salem where they perform and teach piano. Both hold advanced degrees from Indiana University and the University of Oregon. They will play four-hand compositions on the nine foot Yamaha grand piano at St. Paul's. The concert follows the service of Evensong at 4:00pm on November 5th.

The entire music ministry at St. Paul's offers a service of Lessons and Carols for the season of Advent on December 3rd at 4:00pm. There is no service of Evensong this day. Based on biblical readings, Advent hymns and anthems will be offered by vocalists, handbell choirs, instruments and organ.

Gian Carlo Menotti's miracle operetta "Amahl and the Night Visitors" will be staged in the main church at St. Paul's on January 6 at 7:00pm, and January 7 at 4:00pm. There is no service of Evensong preceding either production.

This child-friendly 50-minute operetta, tells the story of a poor crippled boy and his mother who greet the three kings on their way to meet the Christ child. During the king's visit the boy is healed and joins them on their quest.

Two pianos and two oboes accompany this musical gift to the community of Salem. The church will be transformed into a theater with lighting and special costumes. Coleman Casebeer plays the part of Amahl and Brooke Brooks plays the part of the mother. David Nelson, Barry Nelson and Thomas Carpenter take on the role of the three kings with Nate Brase playing the part of the page. Written in 1951, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was the first operetta to be broadcast live on television. 

 The Grammy award-winning sextet "Take 6" will offer a concert of jazz-influenced gospel and sacred a cappella music on February 4th at 4:00pm. There is no service of Evensong this day. Formed in 1980 on the campus of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, the group has performed with Ray Charles, Whitney Houston, Al Jarreau and Steve Wonder. (Reservations are required in advance for this concert. Music guild members will receive advanced notification when reservations open mid December. Other reservations will be available beginning January 1 by email at stpauls.music.guild@gmail.com.)

Bruce Neswick comes to St. Paul's to perform the "May Dudley Memorial Organ Concert" on March 3rd at 4:00pm, following the service of Evensong.

Dr. Neswick will also lead the Evensong Prayer service from the organ. Lenten-based music will be selected from the organ repertoire for the concert.

An Easter Festival Concert will be presented on April 7th at 4:00pm, following the service of Evensong. The Trinity Choir of St. Paul's will join forces with a full orchestra to perform the "Five Mystical Songs" by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Simon Staples is the featured baritone soloist. The festival orchestra will also perform the "Russian Easter Overture" by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov and a newly commissioned work by David Schmidt entitled "Easter Hymn Suite."

The Extraordinary Young Musicians at St. Paul's concert will highlight South Salem senior Ellie Starr. She will offer sacred vocal solos for this concert scheduled for May 5 at 4:00pm following the service of Evensong.

The June 2nd concert at 4:00pm, following the service of Evensong, will feature the Trinity Choir sextet performing a selection of newly composed and arranged jazz and gospel inspired sacred music. Singers include Megan Miller, Madison Hall, Leah Brakebill, Nicholas Ertsgaard, David Nelson and Barry Nelson. They will be accompanied by pianist; Clay Giberson; bassist, Kevin Dietz; and drummer Charlie Doggett.