Music

Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
Psalm 98:5

Music is an essential, beautiful part of our worship experience, from the grandeur of the pipe organ to the haunting harmonies of flute, harp, fiddle and guitar. Each Sunday's music, from the choir anthems to the congregational hymns to the chanting of Psalms, connects with the scripture of the day and the season of the theological year. Explore the ways you can be involved in this inspiring part of the church's ministry, whatever your level of musical background!

Find our schedule of special services and a listing of all our service music here: 
Service Music List 2019-2020 (PDF)

St. Cecilia Choir (Senior Kindergarten/Grade 1)

Named for the patron saint for children, the St. Cecilia Choir is the introductory experience for choral servant leadership in the church where the children learn music reading skills, basic Episcopal worship tradition, and proper singing skills appropriate for their developing voices. Director Dr. Ellen Koziel is a certified Orff music education specialist who is assisted by a group of faithful parents at weekly Wednesday rehearsals and when the children sing on Sunday mornings. This choir sings a few times each semester including All Saints' Sunday, the Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve and Palm/Passion Sunday. 

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5:15 - 5:45 p.m., Room 342 (Children's Music Room, Music Suite)

Holy Communion Choristers (Grades 2-6)

The Choristers of Church of the Holy Communion follow the Voice for Life training scheme of the Royal School of Church (RSCM) in which the choristers work on five modules - vocal skills, music reading skills (visual and aural), anthem repertoire, liturgical skills, and choir as Christian community. Dr. Koziel works individually with each chorister in completing these skills with RSCM workbooks; when each chorister has completed a level, the child is rewarded with a colored ribbon and medallion worn with his/her vestment: White, Light Blue, Dark Blue, Red, or Yellow. The RSCM also holds various summer training courses throughout the country; CHC Choristers have traditionally attended the RSCM St. Louis Course for boys and girls, for which both Dr. Koziel and Dr. Ouzts have served on the staff. The CHC Choristers sing at least once per month, primarily alone and sometimes with the Parish Choir.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Room 342 (Children's Music Room, Music Suite)

Parish Choir

The Parish Choir is open to all who wish to sing and share their talents in our parish music ministry. The largest choral ensemble at Church of the Holy Communion, this choir regularly sings for the 10:30 a.m. service on Sundays, offering the widest variety of choral literature from the great classics to spirituals; this choir also presents periodic major choral works with brass or chamber orchestra. The Parish Choir is comprised of adult and high school youth singers of all abilities and is augmented by staff singers. New members are encouraged and always welcomed.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6:30 - 8 p.m., Room 335 (Choir Room, Music Suite)

Motet Choir

Comprised of professional singers and auditioned volunteers, the Motet Choir specializes in challenging choral literature of all styles of sacred music. Newcomers are always welcome, but a simple audition appointment is requested of all new members. The Motet Choir sings for the 10:30 a.m. service on the fouth Sunday of the month and for other special services and concerts throughout the season. 

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 8 - 9 p.m., Room 335 (Choir Room, Music Suite)

Holy Communion Ringers

Holy Communion Ringers is our handbell choir for adults and teens. Handbell ringing is a joyful, active way to provide beautiful music for worship, especially those that play another musical instrument and want to be active in the music ministry. These dedicated handbell ringers play a five-octave set of Schulmerich English handbells. Some basic music-reading ability is helpful. The Holy Communion Ringers provide music for worship about every 4-6 weeks in addition to other seasonal liturgical offerings. 

Rehearsals: Sundays, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Room 342 (Children's Music Room, Music Suite)

  • Dr. David Perry Ouzts - Minister of Music and Liturgy
  • Dr. Ellen B. Koziel - Assistant Minister of Music
  • Kathleen Quinlen (soprano), Anna Gibbons (mezzo/alto), Dr. Joel Chapman (tenor), Daniel Ward (tenor), Tate Hansen (bass/baritone), Donavon Hughes (bass/baritone) - choir section leaders
  • Dr. Claire Cepeda - Music Librarian and section leader
Memphis Web Design by Speak