Music

"Our worship is to be a celebration of our incorporation into God’s life and those who are charged with leading the music of God’s people – whether in a small parish church or in a great cathedral - have at the heart of their ministry the joy of announcing God’s presence with his people and the transforming reality of that presence. We should always remember that this is the rationale for our choirs and our music in church and that there is no other."

--The Reverend Canon Carl F. Turner, Rector,
St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York 

Music at St. Paul’s 

Music plays a vital role in the life at St. Paul’s Church. The music program exists first and foremost to serve worship in the liturgies of our church. Under the direction of our music director, Joe Hammer, we have both an adult and a youth choir, as well as a hand-bell choir. The latter requires no previous musical experience and is a wonderful hands-on introduction to sacred music. Additionally, and into the wider Nantucket community, St. Paul’s offers a variety of public musical concert performances throughout the year, ranging from classical to jazz performances.  Our annual Christmas carol organ concert is a popular Stroll weekend event attended by both islanders and off-islanders.

St. Paul's Choirs 

Adult Choir

The Adult Choir provides musical leadership each Sunday for the Holy Eucharist service and seasonal services such as Easter, Christmas and other Holy Days. Our repertoire spans centuries of sacred music, whether Anglican classics from the 1982 Hymnal or riffs from a Jazz Mass. The choir is open to anyone – parishioners, guests and visitors – for any length of time.. Although choral singing experience is helpful, we welcome anyone with a love of singing who wants to participate in this vital ministry. 

Youth Choristers

The Youth Choristers is open to youth who enjoying singing in a group setting.  The Choristers typically sing twice a month during the Holy Eucharist Service.  

Hand-bell Choir

Our music program is blessed with several wonderful instruments:

Hutchings-Votey Organ

Our mechanical pipe organ, a 1902 Hutchings-Votey, is the centerpiece of our music program. This instrument was renovated and enlarged by the Andover Organ Company in 2014. It allows for endless combinations of sounds and textures, while providing the capability to go from quiet reflection and prayer, to the dazzling “all-stops-pulled” joy of praise and thanksgiving. 

Steinway Model S Piano

St. Paul’s Church was fortunate to receive the gift of a Steinway Model S. It is frequently used during the worship services and in music programs held in the church. 

Schulmerich Handbells

St. Paul’s Church has a three-octave set of hand-bells. The bells enhance our service music, often accompanying the choirs for offertory anthems or choral blessings. From time to time, the bells are used for the prelude and for Choral Evensong services.

To learn more about, or to participate in our music programs, please contact Music Director Joe Hammer by email through the church office.