www.merton.ox.ac.uk/choir-events

Spring Concert: Stabat Mater | Friday, April 1 at 7:30pm
A Lenten concert by the Choir of Men & Boys and the Choir of Adults & Girls, featuring the Stabat Mater of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. With members of the American Baroque Orchestra. $20 suggested donation.

How can people of faith walk the line between embracing diversity in our music, without appropriating other cultures and identities?

All are welcome to join us for Zoom panel conversation to consider this question, and others, on March 22 at 7:30pm.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85947659044

Meeting ID: 859 4765 9044

As Christians, it is part of our baptismal covenant to “persevere in resisting evil,” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” In our current context, this includes acknowledging the sin of racism, and working to overcome it in all that we do – in our actions and service, and in our prayer and music. This panel conversation is particularly inspired by our efforts to be thoughtful about how we honor music from racial and ethnic backgrounds that extend beyond the Anglican origins of the Episcopal Church.

Our hope in hosting this conversation is to be more intentional about what we sing, and how we sing it. Even as we recognize that there are no universal answers to questions about diversity and appropriation in music, we hope to listen and gain more perspective so that we can continue to sing and make music in ways that are life-giving and liberating. 

Introducing our panelists:

Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs is a native of the Bronx, NY and has performed throughout the United States and abroad. He currently serves as Director of Chapel Music at Yale University where he works with students, faculty, and guests to coordinate music for three worshiping communities: the University Church in Battell Chapel, and at Yale Divinity School in both Marquand Chapel and at Berkeley Divinity School. Dr. Gumbs earned his undergraduate degree from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia, his Master of Music degree from Yale University, and in 2021 completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music. Prior to his position at Yale, Dr. Gumbs served as Director of Music and Arts and Church Organist at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, where he led several hundred volunteer musicians and staff in four choirs and other ensembles. In 2017 The Diapason magazine recognized Nathaniel as one of 20 outstanding organists under 30 years old for his achievement in organ performance and church music.

The Rev. Ranjit K. Mathews (moderator) serves as the Canon for Mission Advocacy, Racial Justice, and Reconciliation in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Prior to his diocesan work, he served as rector of St. James, New London, and before that as Partnership Officer for Africa on the Presiding Bishop’s staff of The Episcopal Church. Prior to his work with the churchwide office, the Rev. Mathews was associate rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach, California. Before that he was a Lecturer in Theology at the Msalato Theological College of St. John’s University in Tanzania as a member of The Episcopal Church’s Young Adult Service Corps, and served as assistant rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Milton, Massachusetts.  Ranjit lives with his spouse, Johanna, their two boys, Dhruv and Kabir, and their dog, Samara in Rocky Hill, CT.

Dr. Sandra T. Montes is the Director of Chapel at Union Theological Seminary in New York, NY. She has a doctorate in education and has taught in public schools for more than twenty years. Involved in multicultural or multilingual churches since childhood, she knows that congregations or groups who utilize real relationships will be successful and grow.

Walden Moore is the Director of Music at Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, where he is responsible for many aspects of Trinity’s musical life including directing the three parish choirs, planning and leading the music for parish services and events, and coordinating all aspects of a multi-layered program that brings together so many in congregational song and in the family experience that is membership in one of the choirs. A lifelong musician, his service to Trinity began with a two-year stint as Organ Scholar 1978-1980, followed by a return to the parish as Organist and Choirmaster/Director of Music in 1984.  He holds performance degrees from the University of Kentucky and the Yale School of Music/Institute of Sacred Music, where he serves on the adjunct organ faculty of the latter, teaching a course in service playing. He also serves as a summer clinician in choir festivals and workshops across the country.

Janet Yieh has been newly appointed Director of Music at Church of the Heavenly Rest on the Upper East Side in New York City. Most recently, she served as Associate Organist at Trinity Church, Wall Street in New York City where she played weekly services, directed the St. Paul’s Chapel Choir, accompanied the Grammy-nominated Trinity Choir and Trinity Youth Chorus, and worked closely with the music and liturgy departments. An innovative concert recitalist and sacred music specialist, Janet was named one of ‘20 under 30’ promising artists by The Diapason magazine in 2017. She has performed concert tours throughout the United States and across the globe. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Janet earned a Master’s of Musical Arts (2018) and Master’s Degree in Organ Performance (2017) from the Yale School of Music and Yale Institute of Sacred Music and a Bachelor of Music in Organ (2015) from the Juilliard School.

Lenten Hymn Sing | Sunday, March 6 at 5pm
Experience Lent by singing through the highs and lows of our spiritual journey, together. Join us as Walden, members of the Parish Choir, and others share stories and lead us in singing (in-person and online) hymns of this meditative season.

All are invited (both in person and online) to a Lenten Hymn Sing to be held in the church on Sunday, March 6 at 5 pm. We'll sing hymns in a variety of styles and will have a chance to hear stories of how the hymns that we sing came to be. The Parish Choir will lend its able vocal leadership to the occasion. It's great occasion to invite friends to experience Trinity. Please help us spread the word, and your presence is important as hymn singing is a group effort!

Join us this Friday night at 7:30 for a wonderful concert of Christmas music performed by the Choir of Men & Boys and the Choir of Adults & Girls.

Proof of vaccination is required to attend in-person, so please bring along vaccine cards or copies with you and leave ample time to park and check-in.

We'll also be livestreaming the concert below, if you're prefer to curl up and watch from the comfort of your own home!

Suggested donation: $20