Music is a vital part of life and worship here at St. Mary's, and all parishioners are welcome to take part. Music touches our minds, opens our hearts and lifts our souls. It shapes the spirituality of those who hear it and those who prepare and present it. It can help lead us to God. Music ministry at St. Mary's is carried out primarily by volunteers, supplemented periodically by gifted professionals.
We welcome Alex Nakhimovsky as our Director of Music Ministries. He will be with us for this program year through June 2018. Alex studied at Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT with Jackie McLean and Luiz Castro among others. Enjoying a versatile career, Alex is a performer, recording artist, producer, arranger and educator. It is Alex's love of teaching that drew us to him when reviewing candidates. Alex served for the last four years as an organist with Church of the Assumption here in Manchester. And he has been a substitute organist at various churches since 2008. Alex is strong in music directing, improvisation, sight-reading and has a large repertoire of different styles of music. As an accomplished jazz and classical musician, Alex brings a diverse background to our worship experience. Alex and Ann, our Rector, will be doing liturgical planning together and making seasonal changes, as is our custom in the Episcopal Church. Alex will be directing the Senior Choir this program year. While learning our particular organ at St. Mary's, Alex will lead us on the piano through Advent. Please join in giving Alex a warm welcome to St. Mary's.
We welcome Alex Nakhimovsky as our Director of Music Ministries. He will be with us for this program year through June 2018. Alex studied at Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT with Jackie McLean and Luiz Castro among others. Enjoying a versatile career, Alex is a performer, recording artist, producer, arranger and educator. It is Alex's love of teaching that drew us to him when reviewing candidates. Alex served for the last four years as an organist with Church of the Assumption here in Manchester. And he has been a substitute organist at various churches since 2008. Alex is strong in music directing, improvisation, sight-reading and has a large repertoire of different styles of music. As an accomplished jazz and classical musician, Alex brings a diverse background to our worship experience. Alex and Ann, our Rector, will be doing liturgical planning together and making seasonal changes, as is our custom in the Episcopal Church. Alex will be directing the Senior Choir this program year. While learning our particular organ at St. Mary's, Alex will lead us on the piano through Advent. Please join in giving Alex a warm welcome to St. Mary's.
Senior Choir – The Senior Choir is open to adults and high school students who rehearse weekly and sing each week at the 10 a.m. service and other liturgical celebrations. Choir members also enjoy undertaking larger musical projects in collaboration with other church choirs and instruments. For those who cannot commit to a full year of choir, shorter commitments are often possible. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Bell Choir - The bell choir rings three octaves of English handbells during services periodically throughout the year. Ability to read music is helpful but not required. Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Vocalists and Instrumentalists – Parishioners who have musical ability on an instrument or as vocal soloists are invited to share their talents in church as appropriate. Musical selections and rehearsal times are arranged on a case-by-case basis with the Minister of Music.
Vocalists and Instrumentalists – Parishioners who have musical ability on an instrument or as vocal soloists are invited to share their talents in church as appropriate. Musical selections and rehearsal times are arranged on a case-by-case basis with the Minister of Music.
Richard J. McElraevy Memorial Concert Series – This concert series at St. Mary's is a made possible by the gift from the McElraevy family in memory of Richard J. McElraevy. Richard J. McElraevy was a mentally retarded gentleman who died in 1997 at the age of fifty-four. In spite of his limited abilities and his lack of conversational speech, Richard did have a special talent – he had a lovely singing voice and a wonderful memory for lyrics. He was happiest when listening to music or singing his favorite tunes. In 1999, his mother, Jean McElraevy, felt the most appropriate way to memorialize her son would be with a concert series that would unite all who gather with each other through the universal language of music. Jean, a parishioner of St. Mary’s, took great delight in attending all the concerts until failing health prevented her from doing so. Sadly, Jean McElraevy passed away on August 1, 2011, but her legacy will live on for years to come in the presentation of the Richard J. McElraevy Memorial Concert Series at St. Mary’s Church.
The series presents two to three concerts each season in a wide variety of musical styles. All concerts are open to the public at no charge.
The series presents two to three concerts each season in a wide variety of musical styles. All concerts are open to the public at no charge.