St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Parish Profile

Music is a vital component of the spiritual life of Saint Stephen’s, enriching and energizing our worship. Parishioners treasure many aspects of our music and our style, such as our use of various instruments other than an organ, the fact that our choirs are not robed, and the frequent participation of our youth. Our congregation is lifted by beautiful and powerful worship experiences through music. 

 

Musical diversity is the hallmark of every Eucharist. The principal instrument used at our 9 and 11:15 a.m. worship services is our grand piano. Musicians with instruments such as violin, flute, or guitar sometimes play as well. At these services, the congregation sings traditional hymns from the Episcopal hymnal as well as selections from Alleluia III, a collection of praise music. The adult, children’s, junior, and youth choirs sing music written from 1600 to the present.  

 

At the 5 p.m. service, a folk-style acoustic band plays and sings music primarily from Alleluia III.  The band plays various instruments, including guitar, mandolin, violin, bass, and harmonica, and leads the congregation in song.

On Youth Sundays and Camp Sundays, our youth band plays acoustic instruments and sings lively songs from the Alleluia III, as well as other songs.

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Several choirs lend their voices to services at Saint Stephen’s. Our talented adult choir is made up of both young adult professionals (college-age and recent graduates) and longtime dedicated volunteers. The full choir sings at the 9 a.m. service, while the music at 11:15 is provided primarily by the professionals.

 

In addition to its Sunday performances, the adult choir also participates in several special services each year, such as those on Maundy Thursday, the Easter Vigil, and Christmas Eve, as well as ordinations and memorial services. Additionally, at times the adult choir presents music that is the main focus of the liturgy, such as the annual Lessons and Carols performance; Taize and other similar services; a September 11, 2001 remembrance service; and presentations at Advent and Christmas. The adult choir also performs annually at non-sacred concert events for the parish and the broader community. These events have included Broadway and popular music cabarets, Godspell in concert, and an evening of music from World War II and the 1940s.

 

The youngest members of our parish sing in three different choirs: a children’s choir for children in 4K through first grade, a junior choir for those in second through sixth grades, and a youth choir for those in seventh through twelfth grades. Saint Stephen’s has three hand bell groups for its school-age parishioners, with membership based on age and experience.  These choirs and hand bell groups sometimes support the adult choir, but also perform solo, both at church services and at community events, such as birthdays at Episcopal Place and an Evensong with another Birmingham church.