The Music Department at St. Paul's

Vocal and instrumental music is a vital part of worship at St. Paul’s.

 

“Everyone should and can be involved in music. It’s not how great a voice or talent is, but how people with different levels of expertise come together to make a unique sound.”   – Director of Music, N. Thomas Pedersen


We have a rich tradition of music appreciation and excellence at St. Paul's. Consider joining one of our choirs or ensembles as we praise God through singing and ringing.


Read more below about our ensembles meeting regularly and making music together:

Joyful Ringers! Bells rehearsals (Sept.-May): Wednesdays at 7:00 PM

Sanctuary Choir rehearsals (Sept.-May): Sundays at 9:30 AM

Children's Choir (Sept.-May): Sundays after worship, 11:45 AM-12:30 PM


To learn more, please contact the church office or the director of each ensemble, listed below.

Choirs and Ensembles


The following groups regularly share their musical talents in worship.



  • The Sanctuary choir

    The Sanctuary Choir is made of adult and experienced youth singers who lend their musical voices to lead and enrich each 10:30 AM worship service. We are eager to catch up with old friends and welcome new ones! Please contact Director of Music Tom Pedersen at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org if you have any questions.


    Choir rehearsals for Fall of 2023

    9:30 AM in Room 211 (Choir Room). 

    The first rehearsal is Sunday, September 10.

    Singers are welcome on a weekly basis.


    On Special Music Sundays throughout the church year, the Choir offers special selections featuring ensembles drawn from the congregation and outside musicians. The Sanctuary Choir also provides meaningful music for special events such as Christmas Eve and Holy Week services. 


    The Sanctuary Choir rehearses most Sundays at 9:30 AM (September-May) in Room 211. About once a month there is a Sunday afternoon rehearsal workshop to develop more complex music or music for special services. 


    Contact music director Tom Pedersen (tpedersen@stpaulsk.org) for more information.


  • Children's Choir

    Calling All Children - K through 6th Grades!


    Love to sing, have fun with friends, and share God's message through song? We've got a choir at St. Paul's just for you! Have a friend who loves to sing? Bring them along! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! 


    Come join us for snack, singing, and fellowship on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 in the Multi-Purpose Room to learn more. Rehearsal times will be after church on Sunday mornings, 11:45-12:30. 


    We look forward to a season filled with fun, fellowship, and praising God through song!


    Parents & Guardians: If you are unable to attend on September 24 but have a child interested, please email Christina Griffin directly or contact the church office at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org with your contact information and any questions you may have. 


    During normal operations: The youngest singers bring their music to the Sanctuary for the 10:30 worship service about once a month during the school year. Many of these children also delight the congregation with a Christmas Pageant each year as we celebrate the birth of Christ. 

  • joyful ringers!

    The Joyful Ringers! handbells ensemble has been ringing since 1966 and includes members of varying levels of musical experience. Our goals are to have fun, strive for musical excellence, and worship God through music. 


    We rehearse most Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in Room 109 and play for Sunday services approximately once a month and on special occasions. Contact Music Director Tom Pedersen for more information!


    Our fine bells were made by England's Whitechapel Bell Foundry (est. 1570) - the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell. 

  • The St. Paul's ORgan

    Our magnificent organ was initially purchased in 1969 from the Aeolian Skinner Organ Company of Randolph, Massachusetts. It was expanded to its current state during renovation work in 2006. Click Here for a full stoplist prepared by Organist Marvin Mills. 

  • The youth Choir

    Youth Choir is temporarily on break BUT any singers in grades 7-12 interested in Youth Choir should please reach out to Christina Griffin directly or contact the church office to be put in touch for further information and future possibilities! 


    Advanced high school singers are also welcome to sing in the Sanctuary Choir - please read more above about Sanctuary Choir and contact Music Director Tom Pedersen at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org.


Special Organ Music in Lent

Sunday, March 21, 2021

In observance of the 10th anniversary year of the renovation of St. Paul's magnificent pipe organ, Marvin Mills presented a special offering each Sunday of Lent in 2021. Expanding on the decade's long tradition of Fugues by J. S. Bach as postludes, a complete Bach Prelude and Fugue will be offered, preceded by a contrasting short chorale prelude.




Chorale Prelude on Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619 (Christ, Thou Lamb Of God) from Orgelbüchlein/Little Organ Book


Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548

Special Organ Music For Lent

Sunday, March 14, 2021

In observance of the 10th anniversary year of the renovation of St. Paul's magnificent pipe organ, Marvin Mills will present a special offering each Sunday of Lent. Expanding on the decade's long tradition of Fugues by J. S. Bach as postludes, a complete Bach Prelude and Fugue will be offered, preceded by a contrasting short chorale prelude.



Chorale Prelude on O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 618 (O Lamb of God, Innocent)

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538

Special Organ Music IN Lent

Sunday, March 7, 2021

In observance of the 10th anniversary year of the renovation of St. Paul's magnificent pipe organ, Marvin Mills will present a special offering each Sunday of Lent. Expanding on the decade's long tradition of Fugues by J. S. Bach as postludes, a complete Bach Prelude and Fugue will be offered, preceded by a contrasting short chorale prelude.

Click HERE to jump up to the order of worship and link to the 10:30 a.m. worship service.



Chorale Prelude on O Mensch, bewin' dein' Sünde groß (O Man, Weep for Your Great Sins), BWV 622

Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582



Special Music During Lent

Sunday, February 28, 2021

In observance of the 10th anniversary year of the renovation of St. Paul's magnificent pipe organ, Marvin Mills will present a special offering each Sunday of Lent. Expanding on the decade's long tradition of Fugues by J. S. Bach as postludes, a complete Bach Prelude and Fugue will be offered, preceded by a contrasting short chorale prelude. 


Click HERE to jump up to the order of worship and link to the 10:30 a.m. worship service.




Chorale Prelude on Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641

When in the hour of utmost need we know not where to look for aid,

When days and nights of anxious thought nor help nor counsel yet have brought

Prelude and Fugue in b minor, BWV 544

Special Organ Music During Lent

Sunday , February 21, 2021

In observance of the 10th anniversary year of the renovation of St. Paul's magnificent pipe organ, Marvin Mills will present a special offering each Sunday of Lent. Expanding on the decade's long tradition of Fugues by J. S. Bach as postludes, a complete Prelude and Fugue will be offered, preceded by a contrasting short chorale prelude. 



Sunday, February 21, 2021: Chorale Prelude on Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf, BWV 617 (Lord God, now unlock Heaven!) & Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543. (Public domain.)