St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

Music

Great choral and organ music have been featured during services at St. Stephen’s since the church was founded. The Gothic structure designed by Frank Watson of Philadelphia in 1929 is ideal for music: choral, congregational and organ. The high ceiling, hard plaster walls, and lack of artificial sound-absorbing materials create a natural setting for music in worship.

When the church was enlarged in 1950 to a design of Philip Hubert Frohman, a new organ was built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company of Boston. It was designed and finished by G. Donald Harrison in a style that has come to be known as “American Classic.” This style was favored by Harrison since it did not try to artificially recreate any one particular retrospective style of organ building. Rather, it aimed for a satisfying musical approach in creating a truly American style of organ capable of playing the entire literature for this instrument, and for the all-important functions required of a church organ, especially accompanying the choir and congregation. Except for additions, which were also made by Aeolian-Skinner in 1968, the organ remains unaltered. In 2004 the entire organ was cleaned and thousands of leather components replaced. This work was done by Emery Brothers of Pennsylvania, caretakers of the organ since 1985.

Great works from the vast repertoire for the organ are offered at the main services on Sundays and the principal feast days of the church year. In addition, the organ is also used frequently for visiting recitalists and local artists, both in recitals and recordings.

There is a place for everyone to participate in the music making at St. Stephen’s.

Staff Contacts:

Dan Moriarty, Organist and Choirmaster, ext. 347

Michael Simpson, Assistant Organist and Choirmaster, ext. 304

Ellen Birch, ext. 337 or 752-6334; St. Stephen's Choristers, youth Handbell Choirs

Ruth Prevette, 740-5676, Palmer Hall Chapel Choir

Recordings and Books

In the Spirit’s Tether
Choral and Instrumental Music of Harold Friedell
(1905-1958)

The Choir of St. Stephen’s Church; Neal Campbell, Deborah Davis, organ; Robert Murray, violin; Melba Williams, Harp; Lisa Edwards-Burrs, Robert Hodder, Michael Holland, Robin Moore, soloists include Psalm 25, Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether, The Way to Jerusalem, Sweet Little Jesu, Prelude on St. Columba, Elegy for harp, violin, organ, and more. . .

Available at the church for $15.95 plus $.72 sales tax.

The Choirs of St. Stephen’s Church, Congregation, and Instrumentalists; Neal Campbell, Deborah Davis, organ; Lisa Edwards-Burrs, Michael Holland, Thomas Williams, Tony Wallace, Ruth Prevette, Robin Moore, soloists. Includes O Come All Ye Faithful, O Praise Ye the Lord, Christus Vincit, Blessed Assurance and more. . .

Available at the church for $15.95 plus $.72 sales tax.

Midnight Pipes
The Organ Music of Harold Friedell
[Program #MP9014, Video recording, VHS format]
©1999, Zarex Corporation

The G. Donald Harrison Æolian-Skinner Organ of St. Stephen’s Church
Organist: Neal Campbell; Harpist: Melba Williams; Violinist: Robert Murray.
Includes: Lullaby, Prelude on St. Columba, Elegy plus Sleep of the Infant Jesus (Henri Busser)

Available by calling 1-800-336-2224 or at www.zarex.com.

A perennial best seller since its publication in 1995, O Taste & Sing offers more than 500 time-tested recipes with a Southern flair from the homes of Richmond, VA. Besides a fully indexed collection of favorite recipes, this spiral-bound volume features watercolors and line drawings by acclaimed local artist Emma Lou Martin. Profiles of eight colonial churches and period recipes enhance the book’s value. Churches included are St. Luke’s, Smithfield, VA; Jamestown Church, Jamestown; St. John’s, Hampton; Bruton Parish, Williamsburg; Christ Church, Irvington; St. John’s, Richmond; St. Paul’s, Norfolk; and Christ Church, Alexandria.

Available from the church office and May Fair House for $17.95 plus $.81 sales tax; shipping $2.75.