St. Matthew's Church (Anglican) 217 First Ave. /130 Glebe Ave. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Music at St. Matthew's Page Index Compact Disc Upcoming Concerts

2007 - 2008 Choral Season

Sung Evensongs at St.Matthew's are as announced on the first and third Sundays of each month
at 4:00pm EST (16 00hrs).

This page will be updated regularly. However, for up to the minute details on any of the events announced here, please feel free to contact Stephen Candow at the music office at tel. (613) 234-5482.

 

A warm welcome... Under the continuing direction of Mr. Stephen Candow, Director of Music at St. Matthew's, we look forward to another season of music making. St. Matthew’s is recognized for its music program in Ottawa and beyond with its renowned Choir of Men and Boys as well as its Choir of Women and Girls which, combined for major concerts and special services, number about 100 singers.  Past music directors include Gerald Wheeler, Brian Law, Richard Dacy, Andrew Teague, Matthew Larkin, and Christopher Argent.  The church is also a concert venue for many local choir concerts, and the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival. Music has been an integral part of life and worship at St. Matthew's since the turn of the century. Our Mission Statement as a church reads in part "St. Matthew's aspires to be a Christ-centred, nurturing parish which delights in its music ministry...and is committed to community service and partnership" . Music has the ability to bring us closer to God through a vision of glory that is not as achievable by other means of communication. It is to this ideal that we continually commit ourselves, Sunday by Sunday and year by year.

St. Matthew's Choir is formed of two distinct ensembles. The Choir of Men and Boys is Canada's pre-eminent choir of its type. This experience offers a unique and unparalleled ministry to boys in our secular world. The Choir of Women and Girls offers an opportunity to sing upper-voice repertoire at a high level of performance. Together our ensembles form the largest church choir of any denomination in our nation. Both are equal contributors to music and ministry at St. Matthew's Church.

We look forward to welcoming you at one or more of our events this coming year.

The Christian Choral Tradition is alive and well at St. Matthew's Anglican Church. Please consider joining with us in this new season as we continue to "sing praises with a merry noise!"

About St. Matthew's Choirs

St. Matthew's Church is home to both a Choir of Men and Boys and a Choir of Women and Girls. The Boys' Choir of St. Matthew's Church, which has its roots in the centuries-old tradition of British and European choirs, has served the Ottawa community for nearly fifty years. Over that time, literally hundreds of boys have benefited from musical training and experience, several of whom have chosen to pursue professional careers in the musical arts, using skills they first acquired as members of St. Matthew's Choir.

The Boys' Choir is at the very heart of music-making at St. Matthew's.  Generally, the boys form the soprano section of the larger Choir of Men and Boys which is responsible for much of the music for the Sunday liturgies.  The Choir of Men and Boys was formed in 1956 by the Reverend Eric Osborne, Rector of the Church from 1951 to 1973, and was originally based on the centuries-old tradition of British and European Cathedrals.  Under a series of talented directors, including Brian Law, Richard Dacy, Andrew Teague, and Matthew Larkin, the Choir has achieved an enviable reputation in Canada and abroad.  In recent years the choir has toured much of eastern Canada and the United States.

The Choir of Women and Girls, formed in 1990, supplements the musical life of the parish. All the choirs combine for major feasts and many of the presentations in the Choral Concert Series. The combined forces exceed one hundred voices, making St. Matthew's Choir the largest church choir of any denomination in Canada.

The Boys' Choir undertakes many projects independently, including concerts and recitals in the region and beyond, and is regarded as one of the finest such ensembles in North America. The membership of the Boys' Choir, which numbers approximently 30 choristers, ranges from ages 7 through 14. Many of the boys remain in the choir as members of the men's section after their treble days are over. The continuity is one of the things that makes St. Matthew's Choir a special place for all of its members.

Choir of Men and Boys, 2005-2006 - Photograph by Marg Wood

The Choir of Men and Boys sings one, and sometimes two, services weekly. The Choir of Women and Girls sings at least one service monthly.  Both choirs offer a rich and diverse program of liturgical music on Sundays at St. Matthew's and in outreach at other places in the community and beyond.  For information on the music program, an audition, or to receive our membership brochure (whether you're 8 or 80 years old), or to find out about upcoming choral services and the choral liturgy at St. Matthew's please contact the Music Office at 234-5482.

Choir repertoire includes music drawn from the rich tradition of the Christian Church, ranging from 13th century Plainsong to modern day compositions. The Music program at St. Matthew's Church is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music, an international organization that promotes high standards of choral literature and singing in worship. St. Matthew's promotes the development of choristers through this program, recognizing and encouraging the valuable contribution and commitment made by each young chorister to the choir and to the life of the Church.

Choir of Women and Girls - June 2006 - Photograph by Marg Wood

Choral services at St. Matthews extend from the weekend after Labour Day until the end of June. During the regular year, choral services are sung every Sunday morning, and on the first and third Sunday evening of the month. (Sunday morning choral services are at 10:00am and Sung Evensong at 4:00pm.).

For information about music at St. Matthew's, to purchase tickets, to inquire about details of choral services, or to ask about membership in one of the choir ensembles, please contact the Music Office at (613) 234-5482.

...back to the top of the page

Schedule of Choral Services (All events at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, unless otherwise noted.)

BCP = "Book of Common Prayer, Canada" 1962
BAS = "Book of Alternative Services"

Sunday June 1 Third Sunday after Trinity	Choral Eucharist - 10:00am (BAS) Choir of Gentlemen and Boys Music: Willans Missa Brevis #3; Byrd-Haec Dies Spring Concert - 3:00pm Combined Choirs
Sunday June 8 Fourth Sunday after Trinity	Choral Eucharist - 10:00am (BAS) Choir of Women and Girls
Sunday June 15 Fifth Sunday after Trinity	Choral Eucharist - 10:00am (BAS) Choir TBA

...back to the top of the page

Special Musical Events

 

...back to the top of the page

Return to St. Matthew's Homepage

This site maintained by Joel Reimer, email: <jreimer@magi.com>

Last Update: May 26, 2008