Christ Church, La Plata

MUSIC IS IMPORTANT AT CHRIST CHURCH!
The music of Christ Church is intended to draw the heart of the worshipper closer to God, to foster fellowship among the members of the church's various musical ensembles, and to share God's gift of music with the larger community.

In the worship service, hymns from many generations serve to illuminate the Gospel reading appointed for each Sunday. Our organist, Angela Garvey, expertly combines appropriate hymns with works for organ, choir or handbells to make each service a unified statement about God's message to us.

Our own "Port Tobacco" hymn is a memento of the 2004 "Moving the Stones" observation of the move from Port Tobacco to La Plata in 1904. Written by Gary Davison of Potomac, Maryland, this hymn is celebrated in the Gertrude Mitchell Room with a special banner using the opening and closing words of the hymn. The poetry is by John Newton, who also wrote "Amazing Grace."

      Great Shepherd of thy people, hear, Thy presence now display;
      As Thou hast given a place for prayer, so give us hearts to pray.

      Within these walls, let holy peace and love and concord dwell;
      Here give the troubled conscience ease, the wounded spirit heal.

      May we in faith receive thy word, in faith present our prayers.
      And in the presence of the Lord unburden all our cares.

      The hearing ear, the seeing eye, the contrite heart bestow;
      And shine upon us from on high, that we in faith may grow.

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Children perform at church on July 16, 2006 after attending a week-long handbell camp.
From right to left are Patrick Goemaere, Webber Goemaere and J.T. Gaffé.

CHORAL MUSIC PROGRAM
Our choir members range in age from Kindergartners to senior citizens!

The Cherub Choir (for Kindergarten through Grade 2) and Chapel Choir (for Grades 3 through 8) rehearse together for 15 minutes immediately after the 10:30 service in preparation for singing in church approximately 4 times a year.

Christ Church Choir (Teen through Adult) rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00. It is comprised of amateur and professionally-trained singers who cherish the privilege of singing the music of the church and the fellowship their shared love affords. The choir season begins in early September and ends with the annual outdoor service in early June at the original location of the church in Port Tobacco. Christ Church Choir sings at the 10:30 service each Sunday, and at additional services for Holy Week, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

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The children attending Vacation Bible School in 2004 present a
song they learned as part of the closing service for their families.

HANDBELL CHOIR
This group meets on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00. Our eight ringers use a two-octave set of Schulmerich handbells and, on occasion, a two-octave set of tone chimes. Rehearsals are a time of music-making, fun, and fellowship, with the more experienced ringers encouraging the newer members. The Handbell Choir performs approximately every four to six weeks, and this year, made its public debut in two community events at Christmastime.

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SCHUBERT SINGERS
Christ Church sponsors a concert choir for children in Grades 2-8, open by audition to children in the community. This choir, which rehearses on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:15, is directed by Angela Garvey and Kathy Doyle, with Alicia Cordelle serving as vocal coach and consultant. The choir, started in the fall of 2004, performs a winter and a spring concert of folk songs, spirituals, and original music by classical and contemporary composers that is especially suited to the child voice.

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Some of the tiniest of the 799 pipes in the Wicks pipe organ,
as seen from the gallery above the rear pews of the church.

CHRIST CHURCH PIPE ORGAN
In 1987, Christ Church replaced its aging Moeller organ with a 12-rank Wicks organ, a product of Highland, Illinois. The three-manual console is located in the western apse, and the pipes speak from the balcony. For recitals and concerts, the console can be moved to the center front of the church. This instrument is one of the finest in Southern Maryland and has been used in numerous recitals. Its 700 pipes range in size from that of a small pencil to sixteen feet in length. There are pipes for the Great and Swell manuals, with couplers for the third manual. Pipes for this manual, the Antiphonal, may be added in the future. Several special events for young people have been held here to introduce students to organ playing in the hope of fostering future organists for our nation's churches. Private instruction may be received from our organist and music director, Angela Garvey, by emailing her at ChristChMusic@comcast.net.

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The Yamaha piano in the east apse, with two of
the "Life of Christ" windows in the background.

YAMAHA GRAND PIANO
Christ Church also is home to a 6' Yamaha C3 grand piano, which is used in worship and for recitals in our concert series as well as studio recitals by area teachers. The bright voice of the C series is ideally suited to our church's acoustics, and performers and audiences alike enjoy the sound of this fine instrument. This piano sounds well as solo instrument, in accompanying voice or other instrument, and for choral accompaniment.

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THE CHRIST CHURCH CONCERT SERIES
The Concert Series is now in its ninth year and has brought varied types of music into the lives of many people. The concerts are scheduled at 3:00 on the second Sunday of the months of October through April unless otherwise specified. The acoustics in the Christ Church sanctuary are crystal clear whether the music is being performed on piano, organ, string or wind instruments, or vocally.

Local musicians also appear on the series through the auspices of the Music Teachers Association of Charles County, Inc. These concerts have the advantage of a "home team" appeal, drawing students, family members and friends of the musicians, which has served to expand the audience base of the concert series.

Primarily supported by free-will donations by members of the congregation as well as by music-lovers in Charles and surrounding counties, Christ Church Concerts also accepts donations at each concert. Each program is followed by a reception which allows audience members an opportunity to greet the artists and one another. Please call 301-392-1051 or e-mail ChristChMusic@comcast.net

Please see What's Happening for more information about the concert schedule.

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		MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH LA PLATA Music is Important at Christ Church! • Choral Music Program • Handbell Choir • Schubert Singers • Christ Church Pipe Organ • Yamaha Grand Piano • The Christ Church Concert Series

		MUSIC IS IMPORTANT AT CHRIST CHURCH! The music of Christ Church is intended to draw the heart of the worshipper closer to God, to foster fellowship among the members of the church's various musical ensembles, and to share God's gift of music with the larger community. In the worship service, hymns from many generations serve to illuminate the Gospel reading appointed for each Sunday. Our organist, Angela Garvey, expertly combines appropriate hymns with works for organ, choir or handbells to make each service a unified statement about God's message to us. Our own "Port Tobacco" hymn is a memento of the 2004 "Moving the Stones" observation of the move from Port Tobacco to La Plata in 1904. Written by Gary Davison of Potomac, Maryland, this hymn is celebrated in the Gertrude Mitchell Room with a special banner using the opening and closing words of the hymn. The poetry is by John Newton, who also wrote "Amazing Grace." Great Shepherd of thy people, hear, Thy presence now display; As Thou hast given a place for prayer, so give us hearts to pray. Within these walls, let holy peace and love and concord dwell; Here give the troubled conscience ease, the wounded spirit heal. May we in faith receive thy word, in faith present our prayers. And in the presence of the Lord unburden all our cares. The hearing ear, the seeing eye, the contrite heart bestow; And shine upon us from on high, that we in faith may grow. [to the top] Children perform at church on July 16, 2006 after attending a week-long handbell camp. From right to left are Patrick Goemaere, Webber Goemaere and J.T. Gaffé. CHORAL MUSIC PROGRAM Our choir members range in age from Kindergartners to senior citizens! The Cherub Choir (for Kindergarten through Grade 2) and Chapel Choir (for Grades 3 through 8) rehearse together for 15 minutes immediately after the 10:30 service in preparation for singing in church approximately 4 times a year. Christ Church Choir (Teen through Adult) rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00. It is comprised of amateur and professionally-trained singers who cherish the privilege of singing the music of the church and the fellowship their shared love affords. The choir season begins in early September and ends with the annual outdoor service in early June at the original location of the church in Port Tobacco. Christ Church Choir sings at the 10:30 service each Sunday, and at additional services for Holy Week, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. [to the top] The children attending Vacation Bible School in 2004 present a song they learned as part of the closing service for their families. HANDBELL CHOIR This group meets on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00. Our eight ringers use a two-octave set of Schulmerich handbells and, on occasion, a two-octave set of tone chimes. Rehearsals are a time of music-making, fun, and fellowship, with the more experienced ringers encouraging the newer members. The Handbell Choir performs approximately every four to six weeks, and this year, made its public debut in two community events at Christmastime. [to the top] SCHUBERT SINGERS Christ Church sponsors a concert choir for children in Grades 2-8, open by audition to children in the community. This choir, which rehearses on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:15, is directed by Angela Garvey and Kathy Doyle, with Alicia Cordelle serving as vocal coach and consultant. The choir, started in the fall of 2004, performs a winter and a spring concert of folk songs, spirituals, and original music by classical and contemporary composers that is especially suited to the child voice. [to the top] Some of the tiniest of the 799 pipes in the Wicks pipe organ, as seen from the gallery above the rear pews of the church. CHRIST CHURCH PIPE ORGAN In 1987, Christ Church replaced its aging Moeller organ with a 12-rank Wicks organ, a product of Highland, Illinois. The three-manual console is located in the western apse, and the pipes speak from the balcony. For recitals and concerts, the console can be moved to the center front of the church. This instrument is one of the finest in Southern Maryland and has been used in numerous recitals. Its 700 pipes range in size from that of a small pencil to sixteen feet in length. There are pipes for the Great and Swell manuals, with couplers for the third manual. Pipes for this manual, the Antiphonal, may be added in the future. Several special events for young people have been held here to introduce students to organ playing in the hope of fostering future organists for our nation's churches. Private instruction may be received from our organist and music director, Angela Garvey, by emailing her at ChristChMusic@comcast.net. [to the top] The Yamaha piano in the east apse, with two of the "Life of Christ" windows in the background. YAMAHA GRAND PIANO Christ Church also is home to a 6' Yamaha C3 grand piano, which is used in worship and for recitals in our concert series as well as studio recitals by area teachers. The bright voice of the C series is ideally suited to our church's acoustics, and performers and audiences alike enjoy the sound of this fine instrument. This piano sounds well as solo instrument, in accompanying voice or other instrument, and for choral accompaniment. [to the top] THE CHRIST CHURCH CONCERT SERIES The Concert Series is now in its ninth year and has brought varied types of music into the lives of many people. The concerts are scheduled at 3:00 on the second Sunday of the months of October through April unless otherwise specified. The acoustics in the Christ Church sanctuary are crystal clear whether the music is being performed on piano, organ, string or wind instruments, or vocally. Local musicians also appear on the series through the auspices of the Music Teachers Association of Charles County, Inc. These concerts have the advantage of a "home team" appeal, drawing students, family members and friends of the musicians, which has served to expand the audience base of the concert series. Primarily supported by free-will donations by members of the congregation as well as by music-lovers in Charles and surrounding counties, Christ Church Concerts also accepts donations at each concert. Each program is followed by a reception which allows audience members an opportunity to greet the artists and one another. Please call 301-392-1051 or e-mail ChristChMusic@comcast.net Please see What's Happening for more information about the concert schedule. [to the top]