There is a developing tradition of excellence in music at St James. We invite anyone who is enthusiastic about and committed to music to join us in "making a joyful noise unto the Lord"! (We also have a lot of fun.)

Choir Director and Organist: Mr. Peter Woodwark B.Sc., M.T.M., L.L.B.

During Business Hours
Call 613-264-8080

Evenings Call 613-267-4726

The Liturgical Choir of approximately twenty-five voices sings every Sunday at the 10 a.m. service, leading the congregation in the hymns and responses, and enhancing our worship with a special seasonal anthem every Sunday.

Choir Practices are held in the church every Thursday (September to June) usually from 7 - 9 p.m. Interested singers should contact the Choir Director (at one of the numbers listed above) or simply come on a Thursday evening at 7 p.m. A warm welcome will await them. Books and sheet music, cassocks and surplices are provided.

St James' Choir is always busy with many and various musical enterprises. Some of the things we have done recently include:

• the annual Advent Procession with Carols (in early December)
• the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols every year (just before Christmas) in concert with St Paul's United Church choir
• the annual "Singalong Messiah" (at St Paul's United Church)
• music for the special liturgies of Holy Week (including Tenebrae)
• the immensely popular "Last Night at the Proms" for the past four years
• involvement in the "O Little Town of Perth" Christmas music C.D. (1999)
• the annual Spring Concert (performed with the choir of St Paul's United Church, Perth): we have sung Faure's Requiem and Haydn's Creation.
• Choral Evensongs, and special music for weddings.

Musical "Notes" from St James' Choir: As of December, 2000, the hymns used at Sunday corporate worship are selected from the new Anglican hymn book, Common Praise. A complete congregational set was donated through memorials and the parish budget. Our choir was integral in introducing the new book to the congregation by singing hymns from it over the preceding six months as anthems during worship, making the transition less stressful.

Although our Choir exists to make music, not to raise funds, we nevertheless have a modest amount of money (primarily as a result of the very popular "Last Night at the Proms" Concert which attracts about 400 people a year). Our current project (which is nearly accomplished) is to provide splendid new cassocks and surplices for our members, at a cost of approximately $250 per chorister. (Our parish was granted a Royal Charter by King William IV in 1836, and it is this Charter which permits the wearing of scarlet cassocks at St James'!)

Our Choir is also noted for the fun and fellowship its members enjoy one with another. At least twice a year the members gather for a party (a barbecue in the summer and a Christmas/Epiphany get-together in the winter). These events always include good food, good wine, good conversation and usually end in a sing-song around a convenient piano or organ!

"O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and raise a loud shout to him with psalms!"

- Psalm 95: 1-2