Music / Choir
Music
The music programme at St. Michael & All Angels’ supported by of the pipe organ, consists primarily of an adult choir and on occasion a children’s choir. Congregational singing is an important part of Sunday and Holy Day Masses; the congregation sings from a wide selection of Mass settings (usually the Kyries, Gloria in excelsis (when appropriate), the Nicene Creed, Sanctus & Benedictus, and Agnus Dei, and hymns. From time to time, the Choir will sing the Ordinary of the Mass. The choir sings music from Gregorian Chant to modern anthems. Hymns are chosen to support the liturgical seasons and are selected from the The Hymnal 1982, supplemented by selections from the 1940 Hymnal and various editions of The English Hymnal, up to and including the Revised English Hymnal (2014).
Adult Choir
The majority of the adult Choir is volunteers. Additionally, in support of choral music in the Church, St. Michael’s sponsors four paid choral scholarships. Please contact Matthew Norwood through the church office, to learn more. The Choir leads the singing, including chanting the Propers (utilizing the Anglican Use Gradual) and an anthem each Sunday and major holy days from September through Corpus Christi (June). Musical selections range from Renaissance to contemporary works. Some of our favorites:
- If ye love me – Thomas Tallis
- Ave verum corpus – Mozart
- God so loved the world – John Stainer
- Never weather-beaten sail – Charles Wood
- Like as the hart – Herbert Howells
The Choir meets on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., at 9:15 a.m., on Sundays. New voices are always welcome! Please contact Matthew Norwood, to learn about musical opportunities at St. Michael’s.
Junior Choir
The junior choir sings anthems for special occasions and learns musicality and music theory. If your school-aged child is interested in joining the junior choir, please contact Nancy King.
Staff
Matthew Norwood – Director of Music
Matthew received a Master of Music from the University of Nebraska, and Bachelor of Music from Hastings College. Matthew performed in professional choirs in New York and Washington, DC for many years before moving to Denver. He began assisting at St. Michaels’ in 2007, and became Director of Music in 2013. In addition to his work as a singer and conductor, Matthew also holds a diploma from the Institute of Audio Research and works as a freelance sound designer in film and video.
Nancy King – Children’s Music Director
Nancy has had extensive training in vocal music as a singer both privately and in choruses. She has sung in numerous semi-professional choruses and church choirs throughout the years and has led music at various children’s summer camps as well. She enjoys teaching children the joy of singing and began the junior choir at St. Michael and All Angels’ in the 1980’s and started the Children’s Chapel music program shortly after. She is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with a Masters degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.
