Music at
St. Elizabeths
In the spirit of our rich Anglican tradition, music is a vibrant part of life at St. Elizabeth's. Echoing St. Paul, who said "The Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words", we believe that music speaks where we cannot. Whether it is congregational hymn singing, a stirring setting of scripture sung by the choir, a majestic Evensong service, or a neighborhood concert given at Christmastime, music is central to our identity as a parish.
Adult Choir
The Senior Choir is comprised of volunteers supported by a quartet of professional singers. In addition to singing our weekly Sunday morning liturgy, the major seasonal services, and an annual Service of Evensong, the Choir presents a Requiem during Lent, and an Advent Concert in December, both with orchestra. The repertoire is varied, offering outstanding choral works from the Middle Ages through the 21st century.

We welcome new members at any time of year. Our emphasis is on a hardworking, joyful, and fun rehearsal process, assisted by gifted and supportive soloist/section leaders. We feel that the work we do is a special ministry, and that the musical excellence we strive for is rooted in compassion, faith, and community. We especially encourage and support the inclusion of young people in our services and musical offerings, with the aim of passing on to them the joy of singing timeless music under the guidance of caring and experienced adults. Our Choir is a family, one that is open to all.
The Senior Choir meets weekly on Sundays from September through mid-June after the 10:00 am service, from about 11:45 to 1:15 pm. You need not commit to singing every Sunday to join the choir, nor do you need to be a "professional level" singer to join. If you have any questions at all concerning the choral program or music at St. Elizabeth's, please contact Organist/Choirmaster Garah Landes at glandes@stesridgewood.org.
St. Elizabeth's
25th annual advent concert
December 11, 2022
Children's Choir
Singing the words of our faith implants basic teachings about God and the Christian life in a way that is more thrilling and memorable than any other. We believe that kids who grow up in church choirs receive a doubly-invaluable gift: lifelong musical literacy, rooted in a profound understanding of the love of God.
Our two children's ensembles, Joyful Noise (Gr. K-4) and Cantare (Gr. 5-8), meet together on Wednesday nights from 6:00-6:45 pm. They sing at our monthly Family Services, at the Christmas Eve and Easter services, and frequently have the opportunity to join Garah Landes and the Senior Choir in the performance of concert works with orchestra. In rehearsal, we practice music-reading skills, learn about good vocal technique, play musical games, and thoroughly enjoy one another's company! For more information, contact Associate Choirmaster Catherine Hostetler at chostetler@stesridgewood.org.
The Galletly Scholars
In 2011, a scholarship was established in memory of longtime Senior Choir member Donald S. N. Galletly. Through our affiliation with the Royal School of Church Music's Voice for Life project, our Children's Choirs program allows interested choristers to work through a series of training workbooks and exams covering vocal skills, music theory, and rehearsal technique, with medals given for each level of achievement. Those young people who develop and demonstrate a special commitment to choir are invited to become Galletly Scholars, receiving an annual monetary award to attend a high-level choral and/or vocal training program over the summer. Past Scholars have attended the RSCM in America's Summer Courses in Newport, RI and Boston, MA, and Westminster Choir College's Summer Vocal Music Institute in Princeton, NJ. At St. Elizabeth's, the Scholars function as Head Choristers for the Children's Choirs, and have special responsibilities and performance opportunities when they move up to the Senior Choir as Ninth Graders.


