Music
“O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:
serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.”
—Psalm 100
Music at Saint George's finds its noblest expression in liturgy and prayer.
It draws inspiration from the logic and beauty of Book of Common Prayer worship, as well as the shape and substance of the liturgical year. Whether it be robust congregational singing of hymns and psalms, polyphonic masses and motets sung by the choir, or the sweet singing of children's voices, music at Saint George's aspires to tune our hearts and minds to prayer and praise.
The Parish Choir
St George's Parish Choir sings every Sunday at the 10.30 service from September till June, as well as Choral Evensongs and Feast Day services. Its repertoire is drawn from the rich inheritance of Church Music throughout the ages, with a special focus on polyphonic music of the 16th and 17th centuries. Every week the choir sings a different setting of the Ordinary, as well as a motet.
For Christmas Eve 2020 the parish produced a video of seasonal music, featuring a selection of our choristers. You can watch and listen here. >
Those interested in joining the choir, should contact the music director for an audition.
The Junior Choir
St George's Junior Choir is open to children ages 6-14 yrs. From September to June, the Choir rehearses once a week and sings at the Sunday morning services, usually every 4-5 weeks. The highlight of the Junior Choir's year is the Spring Concert, including a Jazz cantata with choreography and costumes. The choir's repertoire includes beautiful sacred music of various styles and languages. The Junior Choir sings at special services throughout the year.
If your child is interested in joining the junior choir, please contact the music director.
Director of Music
Garth MacPhee is Nova Scotian and a graduate of Church Music at McGill University (M. Mus, 2006), where he studied organ with John Grew and Dr. William Porter. Among his several appointments, he has served as Music Director here at St. George’s from 1997-2000; at St. John the Divine in Victoria, British Columbia; and from 2004-2011 at St. John the Evangelist in Montreal, as well as Temple Emanu-El Beth Shalom from 2007-2011.
Beyond his work at St George’s, he is the Resident Musician for the Anglican Formation Class at the Atlantic School of Theology and conducts Seton Conservatory Choir, at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts.
Létourneau Organ Opus 76
The Létourneau organ Opus 76 at Saint George’s is one of the finest mechanical action organs in Eastern Canada. Installed in the fall of 2002, the 25-stop two-manual organ occupies the same location as its predecessor, a 1912 Casavant Organ which was destroyed in the fire of June, 1994. Learn more >
