Christ Episcopal Church has a longstanding tradition of outstanding music programs for all ages. Over the last ten plus years, the music program has been led by Director of Music Doff Procter, Assistant Music Director Laurel Procter, and most recently added to the staff, Assistant Music Director and Organist Dr. Steven Taranto. As of fall 2021, there are three different choirs at Christ Church, plus a non-profit, after-school choral music program including four other choirs with young musicians from grades 1-12 that is unrivaled in the southeast.

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Choral music training begins with our Come and Sing Choir for children ages three through fifth grade boys and girls. This choir typically sings for our once monthly Children's Liturgy services, and during  Christmas and Easter.

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From time to time, we have also enjoyed our Celebration Ringers, a multi-generational handbell choir that would ring frequently throughout the year and for special services, but they are “in remission” right now. We do possess a beautiful, two-octave, set of German bells, however!

 

The choral program culminates with our outstanding Adult Choir, one of the most outstanding in the Diocese. The Adult Choir is open to singers of later high school age and older who can read music. The Adult Choir is comprised of both church member volunteers but also paid student and faculty section leaders/soloists and professionals from the University of Alabama and the community. They sing Sundays at the 11 AM Eucharist and also for Evensongs, Advent Lessons & Carols, Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, and other special services.

 

Christ Church is extraordinarily blessed to have a brand-new pipe organ built by the Canadian firm, Orgues Létourneau of Montreal. It was installed in January of 2018, with a dedication service of evensong on April 15, 2018. The organ is a 38-rank instrument with three manuals and pedal. Currently, three finished divisions (great, swell, and choir) with pedal are housed in the Chancel, but the organ will soon include a new 5-rank antiphonal division placed in the rear of the Nave. It is a beautiful instrument both in craftsmanship and tone, and is very versatile in enhancing the many facets of music ministry at Christ Church. The organ serves primarily as an instrument to accompany weekly worship services, but equally as well for special music and worship events (choral evensong and other seasonal worship), solo organ recitals, and for organ instruction.

 

We love to host outside concerts in the nave, in Randall Hall, and in our large Music Hall. They might be University of Alabama students and/or faculty giving recitals, or even outside guest artists from all genres brought in by our concert series (now ALSO in remission!).

 

The Alabama Choir School is a non-profit outreach ministry housed at Christ Church that now encompasses approximately 150 singers after its humble beginnings as the Tuscaloosa Boychoir, beginning with seventeen brave young boys way back in 1985. This after-school, tuition-based, community music organization focuses on choral music education and consists of four choirs for children in grades one through twelve, meeting Monday through Thursday afternoons each week during the school year. Their two most advanced choirs have performed all over the world over the last three decades: Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Please visit www.alachoirschool.org for more information.

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Faithfully,

Doff Procter, Music Director

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