Our Service Music Program

Music at St. Matthew's Church is a core element of our worship service. Indeed, at our church, music is a ministry of its own. Music enlivens our religious experience and provides an important spiritual dimension to the liturgy.

We are most fortunate to have as our Music Director Anthony Newman, who is a world-renowned organist and harpsichord player. Our choir is composed largely of professional singers, with a few talented volunteer members. Dr. Newman accompanies the choir and plays additional organ pieces, including preludes and postludes.

At each of our Sunday services, music is an integral part of the service, with different offerings reflective of the different styles of the services.

8:00 a.m. Service: This service is shorter than the 10:00 a.m. service. Dr. Newman plays organ pieces and our professional mezzo-soprano singer, Trish Hussey, performs a solo piece.

10:00 a.m. Service: This is a traditional service, with Dr. Newman and the choir performing before and during the service. Music at this worship service includes choir anthems, organ interludes and hymns from the Episcopal Hymnal. It highlights the glorious voices of our choristers, performing together and as soloists, the virtuoso talents of Dr. Newman, and the joy of community as parishioners join in singing the hymns.

The choir's repertoire includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Gounod, Handel, Mozart, Purcell and works composed by Dr. Newman himself. The professional quality of the music and depth of the repertoire are widely praised by parishioners and attract many new people to our church. During Advent and Holy Week, the services draw more heavily from music of the Season including the choir singing key sections of Handel's Messiah.