“Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” released in 1988 made Bobby McFerrin a household name in pop music. He later started doing incredible things with his singing, being able to perform remarkable instrumental works with his voice – like pieces by Bach and Vivaldi. He has this incredible falsetto, singing style that has made him one of […]

Today’s anthem is by John Rutter, definitely no stranger to us here at St. Andrew’s. Rutter has some of the most widely-used Christmas carol arrangements of any other composer that I can think of, and this fall we will be singing his Requiem for All Saints (more on that later). Today’s offertory anthem is a […]

Thomas Weelkes was a noted composer of the madrigal, a secular, a cappella form of vocal music which rose to popularity in the 17th century. These kinds of pieces were colorful representations of life itself. The composers tried to encapsulate real life – sounds of love, heartache, and struggle. They were an attempt to unpack […]

What Wondrous Love is this, comes from the early American, shape-note tradition. In a few weeks, you’ll hear another example of this kind of music on Easter Sunday, when we sing William Billings’ Easter Anthem. Music education in The United States began in Sunday School. People learned to read music for congregational and social singing, […]

Today’s offertory anthem is by American composer, Ned Rorem. Rorem is a professed atheist, but has written a good deal of sacred music. This work sounds rather simple, benign, and straightforward. But Rorem gives us a challenge, musically. The harmony is dissonant (clashing), and the notes slither around, untraditionally. These non-traditional musical components are challenging […]

This morning I want to point out that we’re singing some good hymns. “The God of Abraham praise,” for example, is such a strong statement of faith. Leoni, the tune of this hymn is as ancient as any music that you will hear this morning. During Lent we hear lots of music that is set […]

Rheinberger is perhaps a lesser-known composer for you. He was an organist and a contemporary of Johannes Brahms. Although a prolific composer, he’s mostly known for his elaborate and challenging organ sonatas. The movement you are hearing this morning is the Pastoral from his 12th Sonata in D-flat major. Pastoral or Pastorale in German, is […]

The purpose of music is endless. All artforms are like that. Beautiful Savior, today’s offertory anthem, serves a very unique purpose, the purpose of comfort. Written by F. Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant who led the St. Olaf Choir for 30 years, this piece is legendary. The St. Olaf Choir is known for their impeccable […]

The purpose of music is endless. All artforms are like that. Beautiful Savior, today’s offertory anthem, serves a very unique purpose, the purpose of comfort. Written by F. Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant who led the St. Olaf choir for 30 years, this piece is legendary. The St. Olaf choir is known for their impeccable […]

Elizabeth Poston was a multifaceted musician, pianist, teacher, and musicologist. Not only was she a well-known composer, she was quite active as an academic, and wrote for the Arts Council of Great Britain, gave lectures, and was the president of the Society of Women Musicians from 1955 until 1961. Another interesting part of her career […]