ADVENT CONCERT SERIES – During the Advent Season, weekly concerts are presented at Noon on the Thursdays preceding Christmas Eve. Choral and instrumental groups from high school, college and professional levels appear on the series. The concerts last approximately 30 minutes and are free to the public. Through music and meditation, it offers the listener a place of calmness to counterbalance the “business” of getting prepared for the season of Christmas.
LENTEN CONCERT SERIES - The Lenten Sacred Concert Series offers sacred and classical music appropriate for the penitential season Thursdays at Noon during the five weeks of Lent. The concerts are approximately 30 minutes in length with choral and instrumental choirs and soloists from high schools and colleges. The Choirs of Anderson High School, our high school across the street, performs on both concert series. The concerts are free and open to the public.
The Music Ministry at St. Matthew’s is built on a long standing tradition of blended musical styles. We believe in presenting the very best possible representations of various musical genres as an offering to God. We place great value on our Anglican musical heritage and also draw from other sources, including the traditional hymnody of many Christian denominations, sacred choral music from both current and historical sources, contemporary worship songs and anthems and service music from many different Christian Eucharistic traditions.
The St. Matthew’s Adult Choir -
The Adult Choir provides a wonderful opportunity for all people of varying ages and abilities to praise the Lord and experience friendship and fellowship with one another. The choir, nearly 30 members strong, is a diverse mixture of professional and amateur singers with a wide background of experience and training. The choir sings a variety of choral music in worship and leads the Caroling in the Neighborhood evening as well as presenting special pre-service concerts for the Christmas Eve, All Saints and Ascension services.
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
For more information, contact our Jean Farris Fuller, Director of Music.
Director of Music/Organist – Jean Farris Fuller -
"Each singer brings his or her own experience and gifts to the group to work together for the glory of God. Jean says, “Church music allows the musician to return that gift to God through hard work, dedication and concentrated effort. Music is prayer. Music takes work. Music is a physical as well as a mental art and requires the artist to use all of their being to relate ideas, concepts. When church musicians pull all of these efforts together, it is a powerful, exciting and rewarding act of worship.”
Choral Director – Annie Lane Byrom -
“We are constantly improving our sound as a choir, to become better readers, intelligent musicians and authentic interpreters of the music and text,” says acting choral director Annie Byrom. “We strive to communicate and help those that worship in this space to experience the beauty of holiness. When all the technical aspects of producing beautiful sounds are set in place, then the choir is able to move beyond the notes and communicate through emotion in music. This is always a joy.”
