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


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

Bluegrass Sunday

Sunday, June 4, 2023

10:30 AM


Enjoy old-timey music with a bluegrass flavor as guest musicians join the Sanctuary Choir for worship, led by our Director of Music, Tom Pedersen. 


The Sanctuary Choir’s last Sunday of the season will be June 11, then they go on summer break. The Sanctuary Choir will return following Labor Day.

Choirs and Ensembles


The following groups regularly share their musical talents in worship.



  • The St. Paul's ORgan

    Special Organ Demonstration with Halloween-themed music!


    Sunday, Oct. 30, 11:45 AM

    Following the 10:30 worship service, organist Marvin Mills will offer an up-close view of St. Paul's remarkable pipe organ in the Sanctuary, featuring music for Halloween. All are welcome!


    Our 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 Sanctuary choir

    The Sanctuary Choir is made of adult 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.


    On Special Music Sundays throughout the church year, the Choir offers 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. Once a month there is a Sunday afternoon rehearsal workshop to develop more complex music. Contact music director Tom Pedersen (tpedersen@stpaulsk.org) for more information.


  • 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. During non-covid times, the Joyful Ringers! (JRs!) rehearse most Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in Room 109 and play for Sunday services approximately once a month and on special occasions. Our fine bells were made by England's Whitechapel Bell Foundry (est. 1570) - the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell. Contact the church office for more information.

  • Children's Choir

    Welcome back!


    We want to hear from YOU! Please click the button to go to our Survey and let our music ministry leaders know what kind of children's choir opportunities will work for you in the 2022-2023 programming year.


    Children's Music Survey


    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. All children in Grades K-5 are invited to learn inspiring and fun songs as part of our Children's Choir! 


    Many of these children also delight the congregation with a Christmas Pageant each year as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas Pageant rehearsals take place on Sundays after worship in November and December.


  • June CHoir 2022

    Would you like to sing in the adult choir but are worried about the weeknight rehearsal commitment? Then relax and join us for June Choir! 


    We invite anyone who wants to sing to come to Room 211 (Choir Room) on June 12, 19, or 26 at 9:30 AM. 


    We rehearse together before singing in the 10:30 AM worship service and sing music specifically chosen by Director of Music Tom Pedersen to be meaningful and accessible to this community of singers.


    Due to the continued presence of covid-19, all choir members rehearse and lead worship while fully masked.


    Questions? Contact Tom at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org.

  • The youth Choir

    Temporarily on break... Please visit the Youth page for more information! 


    In the past, we've usually scheduled youth choir in between SPY meetings. You don't have to be involved with SPY activities to be in choir but most of our singers come early or stay late to enjoy SPY fellowship and fun. Contact music director Tom Pedersen (tpedersen@stpaulsk.org) if you have questions!

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.)