Music at Calvary
Calvary has a long history of celebrating fine music in many forms.
As early as 1862, our church history mentions that the Rector was interested in having a choir formed at Calvary. While we don’t know if a choir actually began at that time, it’s obvious that early in our history the interest was there. The fact that in the second church building an enlarged chancel was added, some eight years after the building was completed, suggests that there was a choir at the time. In 1887 a boy choir was formed.
When the present church was finished in 1896, what is now the chapel, underneath the main altar, was the original choir room. In 1927, at the same time as the enlargement of the parish hall, the present choir room was added on the south side of the church. Its prominence as an architectural feature of the building, and its close proximity to the actual worship space is a strong indication of the importance of music in the life and worship of the parish. That this place supports not only its music, but also its music-makers, is revealed in the fact that, since 1914, there have been only five organist/choirmasters at Calvary: Franklin W. Helms, Howard W. Vogel, James S. Little, Christopher Jennings, and Kevin Davis.
in addition to the choir, Calvary has an active Handbell Choir, a Chorister program for youngsters, sponsors the Sacred Space for Summit musical series, and provides rehearsal space for two local musical groups.
As early as 1862, our church history mentions that the Rector was interested in having a choir formed at Calvary. While we don’t know if a choir actually began at that time, it’s obvious that early in our history the interest was there. The fact that in the second church building an enlarged chancel was added, some eight years after the building was completed, suggests that there was a choir at the time. In 1887 a boy choir was formed.
When the present church was finished in 1896, what is now the chapel, underneath the main altar, was the original choir room. In 1927, at the same time as the enlargement of the parish hall, the present choir room was added on the south side of the church. Its prominence as an architectural feature of the building, and its close proximity to the actual worship space is a strong indication of the importance of music in the life and worship of the parish. That this place supports not only its music, but also its music-makers, is revealed in the fact that, since 1914, there have been only five organist/choirmasters at Calvary: Franklin W. Helms, Howard W. Vogel, James S. Little, Christopher Jennings, and Kevin Davis.
in addition to the choir, Calvary has an active Handbell Choir, a Chorister program for youngsters, sponsors the Sacred Space for Summit musical series, and provides rehearsal space for two local musical groups.
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Calvary Episcopal Church 31 Woodland Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 | 908.277.1814 Worship Schedule | Contact Us | Visit Us | Site Map |
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