Music

“Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” Psalm 96 :2

Sacred Music and the Choir

The Boston area has many concert choruses that do wonderful music, and they fill an important niche. The Choir of Christ the Redeemer’s niche is not concerts, but worship: great music in liturgical context. A full-time organist-choirmaster directs the Choir of Christ the Redeemer and brings a wide breadth of the classical sacred music tradition into our worship. The choir’s repertoire reflects the diversity of that tradition from Gregorian Chant to spirituals, and includes music sung in a variety of languages (always with printed translations). There are Choral Evensongs at least four times a year, a Requiem on All Souls’, and a Festival of Christmas Lessons & Carols. Holy Week features the 3-part ongoing liturgy of the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil).

One of the joys of CTR is the enthusiastic participation of the people in singing. Our reputation as a “singing” church is due in no small part to the choir and its leading of music in worship.

The choir prays and cares for each of its members. It serves God and his Church by aiming for musical excellence, commitment to Jesus Christ, and life in the Holy Spirit.

Children’s Choirs

Christ the Redeemer has two active children’s choirs that rehearse weekly.

The Trebles Choir is for children ages nine and older. They rehearse on Tuesday afternoons, as well as Thursday evenings with the adults. Trebles participate and sing every Sunday service, choral evensong, All Saint’s Requiem, Lessons and Carols, Ash Wednesday, and the Holy Week Triduum.

The Cherubim Choir is for children ages 6, 7, and 8 and is led by public school music teacher Cyndi Kreyling. They rehearse on Tuesday afternoons and sing occasionally for special services throughout the church year.

With the approval of the directors, children in school grade three could participate in either the Trebles or Cherubim Choir, whichever seems most appropriate.

A testimony from Dan McKinley, Minister of Music/Organist & Choirmaster:

“Leading up to Easter Sunday, two of our parents were reviewing the music for “Worthy is the Lamb” from Messiah with their eldest son, a Treble Choir member. Their second son, a Cherubim Choir member, liked it so much that he wanted to hear it every day. On Easter Sunday, he could be heard belting it out with gusto while sitting in the congregation. (“Train up a child in the way he should go . . .”)