St. Philip's is a Singing Church!
Music plays an integral part in the worship life of our church. It complements our liturgy and provides an opportunity to express our love for God through music. The goal of our music ministry is to enhance the spiritual life of our congregation and our community through music. To find out more about upcoming musical events at St. Philip's, visit our calendar page.
Music at St. Philip's is exciting!
Concerts are often presented during Black History Month, featuring the finest of African-American music, offering a rich panorama of spirituals, jazz, and great music composed by African Americans.
Christmas, Easter and other special festivals during the year are celebrated by offering the finest of sacred music literature from all eras and in all styles, and are often enhanced with the addition of a chamber orchestra, guest choirs and/or solo instrumentalists.
Other Musical Events - St. Philip's occasionally hosts concerts featuring the finest in gospel music, spirituals, jazz and other contemporary sacred music by noted musicians from the community. For more information, visit our calendar page.
Music is part of our heritage
Historically, music has always been integral to the church’s worship life. From its earliest musical history, St. Philip's Church has sought excellence in its music and the highest standard of achievement. From the very beginning, congregational singing was emphasized. It is reported that the church’s first rector often taught the congregation hymns and psalms by the lining-out technique. Going against the grain of most Protestant churches of the day, but not the Episcopal Church, St. Philip’s installed its first organ in 1827. By this time, the parish also had established a church music school to teach singing by note. St. Philip’s also sponsored sacred concerts that often featured large choral works of European composers, and occasionally the works of African American composers. By 1893, the reputation of St. Philip’s choir was so widespread that they were invited to participate in a program of music written and conducted by the distinguished composer Antonin Dvorak.
The early choir, which was composed of men and boys, lasted until 1950, when the boys were replaced with women choristers. Former Organist-Choirmasters include noted musicians Paul C. Bolin, Walter Witherspoon, William B. Cooper, Eugene Hancock, Aaron Thornton, William Randolph, and Carl MaultsBy. A fine two-part recording entitled “Praise the Lord” was made at the church in 1981 to commemorate the Archbishop of Canterbury’s participation in the concluding Service of Celebration for the 170th Anniversary of the church’s founding.
In more recent years, the St. Philip’s Adult Choristers have premiered works by composers David Hurd, Eugene Taimon Simpson, Eugene Hancock, and Lena McLin. The Choristers have made several recordings. A concert series, Great Music at St. Philip’s, has been included in organ recitals and great performances of works such as Messiah, with full orchestra.
Acoustics for fine music are integral to the design of the church building. The fine Aeolian-Skinner organ, designed by G. Donald Harrison, and built by the venerable Boston company in 1952, was basic to the church’s music program then, and is today.
How you can participate
There are many ways to participate in the musical life of St. Philip's Church. We encourage adults to participate in our Choir. The Handbell Choir provides an excellent way for those of all ages to participate in the music ministry at St. Philip's. We encourage instrumentalists to display their talents by participating in our worship service.
For more information about music at St. Philip's, contact our organist & choir director at (212) 862-4940.
Church Choirs
Adult Choristers - Worship services on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and at special services led by the Adult Choristers, an ensemble consisting of about 20 talented and faithful volunteers. The Adult Choristers play an important part in the liturgy by singing choral anthems, psalms and responses, and leading the congregation in hymns. Repertoire from all eras and all styles is sung under the leadership of the choir director and organist. Choir rehearsals are held before and after the 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sundays.
Handbell Choir - An enthusiastic group of children, teenagers and young adults serve as bell ringers for our three-octave set of Malmark handbells. The unique sound of handbells provides a beautiful accompaniment to the liturgy. The Handbell Choir performs at festival services, such as Christmas Eve, Easter service, and on other occasions.
Voices of Praise - This choir leads the entire service on the third and fifth Sundays of the month through the use of Gospel music.
Jazztree
St. Philip's Jazztree arranges for several performances during the year by outstanding jazz vocalists and instrumentalists on Sunday afternoons in the undercroft. Concerts are given four or five times per year. Recent performances have included such top-flight performers as Valerie Capers, Barry Harris, Jazzberry Jam, La Familia with Willie Martinez, Steve Turre, Ray Vega, the late Earl May and Irene Reid just to name a few.
St. Philip's Jazztree was created in 1988 to take up the challenge of bringing jazz back to Harlem. Harlem's major jazz clubs closed during the 1960's with the demise of the 'big band' era, and the growing popularity of rock and roll. Today the Jazztree enjoys the loyal support of numerous jazz fans in the community. Concert tickets are $20. For more information, call (212) 862-4940 to find out more about upcoming musical concerts from the Jazztree or see our calendar.
The Organ at St. Philip's
The historic Aeolian-Skinner Organ, designed by the legendary G. Donald Harrison, and installed in 1952 at St. Philip's, is the foundation for the music ministry of this church, as well as a significant asset. It was considered by organists and organ-builders alike to be quite a unique and fine instrument upon its installation, and many noted performers have been featured in recital at St. Philip's. Its classic tonal design provided for a fine ensemble of voices which today remain perfect in this great space, designed for fine music.
The placement of the 39 ranks and four divisions of the organ (Great, Swell, Choir and Pedal) in two acoustic chambers to the right and left above the Chancel strongly supports congregational singing. An Antiphonal Division, as well as additional stops, were provided for but never complete. Remarkably, the sounds of the instrument so perfectly fill the church that if one is in the Choir Room, below the main church and quite far from the organ, the delicate, bright sounds of just the 8' and 4' flutes in the Choir Division can be clearly heard-almost as if they are in the room!
A Trompette-en-Chamade speaks dramatically from the rear of the nave. This elegant stop, considered by many to be the first set of such pipes installed by Mr. Harrison in this country, is not speaking at this time due to the fact that the blower which serves only this stop (located nearby in the rear gallery) is in need of repair, or re-building.
This fine instrument, which has faithfully served St. Philip's for over 50 years, has had virtually no work done on it since its installation, and now awaits total restoration.
