Music

St. Margaret's is exceedingly blessed to have the expert leadership of Dr. Theodore Guerrant to direct and coordinate our ministries of music. We have an adult choir, a children's choir, and a bell choir which provide the gift of music to accompany our worship at the 11:15 service, as well as, holy days and seasonal celebrations. Additionally, many talented instrumentalists often join us to add another aspect of beauty and grace to services. St. Margaret's also sponsors various concerts over the course of the year featuring in-house artists, community groups, and national/international choirs. In the Autumn of 2002, to commemorate World AIDS Day, we hosted a concert by Sinichethemba, a choir of HIV+ women from Durban, South Africa (in one of our companion Diocese) accompanied by the Tim Janis Trio.

In June of 2003, the GLASS (Gay, Lesbian And Supportive Singers) youth choir from Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada performed--the concert was an acknowledgement of St. Margaret's generosity in sponsoring their visit to Washington to perform with the Washington Gay Men's Chorus at the Kennedy Center. Our own Dr. Guerrant gave a second annual memorial concert on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this past September in which members gathered to remember our loss. This is to mention but a few recent highlights. We hope that you will join us in these profound events.

If you are a member with a desire to get more involved in the life of the parish, please consider joining one of the choirs.

For more information, contact Theodore Guerrant at 301.405.0284.

Bell Choir

St. Margaret's Ringers are our volunteer handbell choir. The ancient art of handbell ringing adds beauty to our worship on a monthly basis. At St. Margaret's we play a three-octave set of Malmark handbells.

Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings in the right transept of the santuary from 6:45 PM to 8:15 PM and occur from September through May. Highlights include the joining with the Chancel Choir on Christmas Eve and at Easter to enhance the beauty of the worship experience. Anyone who has ever had piano lessons, played an instrument in a school band or orchestra, or sung in any choir will find joining the bell choir fairly easy and a lot of fun.

If you are interested in joining, you should see Teddy after the service, or otherwise contact him at your convenience.

The Bell Choir is looking for new ringers. The ideal ringer is an adult who can come most Thursday evenings to practice from 6:45 until 8:00, and who has had musical experience in the past. Handbell ringing is not complicated, but takes a certain level of concentration. It's fun, rewarding and provides light exercise for the upper body. If interested, please talk to Ted Guerrant, or call the church office.

Chancel Choir

Drawing upon the centuries-old choral traditions of English churches and cathedrals as well as the repertoire of our own time and place, the Chancel Choir at St. Margaret's sings nearly every Sunday after Labor Day until Trinity Sunday at the 11:15 AM service. The choir, augmented by a professional quartet, welcomes volunteers. On Sundays, the choir warms up between services from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM. Rehearsals are held after the 11:15 AM Eucharist from about 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM. Besides our weekly contribution to worship, the choir also performs special music during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

Through the study of Scripture, we learn to love God intellectually, and through music we are inspired to love God with our hearts. It is this essential contribution to the liturgy and worship life of St. Margaret's that those who participate in this ministry meet. Anyone interested in joining should see Teddy after the service, or otherwise contact him at your convenience.

Children's Choir

St. Margaret's is please to offer an opportunity for our children to sing and share their musical gifts with the congregation. Their presence enhances our worship and demonstrates our commitment to the meaningful inclusion of all of our members.

Rehearsals are on Sunday's in place of Sunday school during breaks in the Sunday school schedule at three points during the year. While Sunday school is on hiatus, the children prepare to participate in services at Christmas, Easter, and during Pentecost.

If you are interested in joining, contact Lou Steadwell at 202.877.7809.

Concerts

9/12-Annual organ concert by Dr. Theodore Guerrant