Choral Evensong

Please join us in the Nave this Sunday, September 20, at 5:30pm for the first offering of Choral Evensong since the Choir’s return from their annual retreat. (5:15pm Organ Prelude by Cody Lawyer, Organist and Choirmaster.)

The following will be sung:

Herbert Sumsion’s Evening Canticles in G
The Magnificat is a gently lilting, lyrical setting, which exhibits moments of extreme tenderness. Sumsion pays careful attention to word-setting and the vocal lines are beautifully shaped. The organ accompaniment complements the vocal textures with independent melodic interpolations, and in the Nunc Dimittis the opening organ solo passage introduces a melodic motif and a triplet figure, both of which are present throughout the canticle.

Stephen Paulus’s ‘The Road Home’
The lyrics of Stephen Paulus’s The Road Home encapsulate a universal narrative—one of wandering, reflection, and eventual return, echoing the Nunc Dimittis. Through poetic simplicity and musical depth, the song resonates emotionally, offering comfort and hope. Its themes of longing, spiritual awakening, and community continue to inspire audiences and performers alike. By examining its lyrical content and musical setting, we gain insight into why The Road Home remains a powerful testament to the enduring human quest for belonging and peace. As a cultural artifact, it affirms that no matter how far we stray, the road home is always within reach—an eternal journey marked by faith, perseverance, and love.

Gerre Hancock’s Preces & Responses
Composed for the 20th anniversary of the Reverend John Andrew as rector of St. Thomas Church on 5th Avenue, NYC, these Preces and Responses are firmly rooted in the English cathedral style, but also have a lyricism and rhythmic vitality that is thoroughly American. They are set mostly in the middle range of the voice with attention to the clarity of word-pointing. The centerpiece is a particularly moving setting of the Lord's Prayer.