Worship & Music
Music
Music at Christ Church
“Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; Serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.” (Ps. 100:1)
From the beginning, Christ Church has always placed a high priority on music. The first choir at Christ Church was organized in the early nineteenth century. Christ Church purchased its first pipe organ in 1788—an organ which, at that time, was the largest in New Jersey. And more recently, thanks to the gracious and intimate acoustics of our 1853 nave, we have produced and sponsored countless musical programs as an outreach to the community.
In our music ministry, we strive for the following:
Excellence: adorning the worship of God with the best we can offer;
Inclusiveness: providing opportunities for all to join in a meaningful way and selecting music that lets all who listen know that they are welcome here;
Outreach: providing service to the larger community, often in partnership with those of other faiths;
Enthusiasm: being God-filled in our worship style.
We welcome all to join with us in this music ministry, whether by singing in one of our choirs, playing an instrument, offering non-musical program support (serving on the music outreach committee, hospitality, promotion, etc.), or raising your voice in praise with us in our worship services. More information can be found below.
Christ Church’s Choirs
For most of the twentieth century, choral leadership was provided by a choir of men and boys. In the 1970s, this was succeeded by a semi-professional adult mixed choir, along with a children’s choir of girls and boys in the 1970’s. By the early 2000s, the parish had as many as seven choirs. Christ Church now has two adult volunteer choirs and a youth choir.
The Chamber Choir is for anyone who has the choral experience and can read music is cordially invited to join. The choir sings a broad selection of repertory at 10:30 am Sunday Service. Choir rehearsals are most Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 pm September through May.
The Chamber Choir Performing on Christmas Eve 2022
The Chamber Choir on Easter Sunday, 2022
Canticum Novum is an all-adult, all-volunteer choir. All adults are welcome, and no choral experience or previous musical training is required–come with a desire for good singing and great fellowship. Rehearsals are Saturdays 9:00 am to 10:00 am in the choir room.
The Canticum Novum Choir with the Chamber Choir singing for New Brunswick Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, 2021
The Joyful Noise Choir is our children and youth choir, which is comprised of youth from Christ Church. This choir regularly meets on Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in the choir room at Christ Church. The choir also learns music theory, new songs, and handbells.
The Joyful Noise Choir’s performing on Easter Sunday, 2022
The Canticum Novum & The Joyful Noise performing Christmas Eve 2022
The Bell Ringer for all volunteers from age 12 and up. We meet on Saturday at 11 and Sunday at 12 PM.
Christ Church’s Organ
Our current organ, which was dedicated in 2002, is a two-manual, 24 stop organ built by Richards, Fowkes & Co., and is considered one of the finest organs of its type in the nation. Apart from its use in leading our liturgies, the organ is also used by the organ department of Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts for teaching and practice and can be heard in concert. A photo, description of the organ, and specification can be found at the Richards, Fowkes & Co. website here. Click here for a full history of Christ Church’s organs
Click below to listen to the organ recordings by Dr. Seung-Hee Cho, Mnister of Music and Organist
We are looking for a Music Minister and Organist. If you are interested or know someone who is view the job description HERE.
