Music at St. Mary’s is a vital component of our 10 am Sunday service as it not only enriches, but also illuminates our worship experience. The weekly selections are relevant to the liturgical season and are built around the talents of our choir and our magnificent Austin pipe organ. Our music is drawn primarily from the 1982 Hymnal. In addition to the organ, we have two Steinway pianos, a grand in the Nave and an upright in the choir room, as well as a six bell English Carillon to enhance this ministry.
Sheldon Eldridge
ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER
Sheldon is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he majored in organ and church music. Graduate study included organ performance with William Hays and choral conducting with Joseph Flummerfelt. He also coached with Eugene Roan (organ). Summer studies at Merton College, Oxford, involved courses in Renaissance music with Gustav Reese, Denis Stevens and Alec Robertson. Sheldon attended the Royal School of Church Music’s summer courses for many years. He is quite conversant with the great choral literature of our tradition, from the Tudor period to the present day.
Prior to St. Mary’s, Sheldon has held the position of Organist and Choirmaster in a number of Episcopal churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York State. He spent thirteen years at Trinity Church in Ossining, NY., where he affiliated the parish with the Royal School of Church Music, reconstituted the adult choir program, created a new parish psalter for the three-year cycle for the singing of Anglican Chant and established and directed an evensong/recital series and the annual service of Lessons and Carols and expanded while revising the choral music library. He has served on the Board of the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and is a member of the Saint Wilfrid Club of the City of New York.
Sheldon Eldridge has been teaching piano to children for over twenty years. Before moving to Princeton, New Jersey, he had a studio with over twenty-five students in northern New Jersey, principally in the Ridgewood area. He particularly enjoys working with beginners and giving them a happy experience learning to play well.
Adult Choir
Our Adult Choir is comprised of four section leaders and additional volunteer members. The choir sings weekly from September through June, singing the anthems and leading the hymns for the congregation. They perform in a range of styles, from a cappella solos to choral works with organ, piano or even stringed accompaniment. During the summer months, the weekly music is led by one of our section leaders, performing solos, or other invited vocalists or instrumentalists. The Adult Choir also sings at special services throughout the year, most notably during Christmas and Lent, and participates in the annual Twelfth Night Benefit Concert for EpiscoBuild/Habitat for Humanity, one of our local Outreach projects.
Community Choir
In the past, we have had a Community Choir that performs several times a year. It is comprised of children, parents and any congregants who want to join for the performance. The musical selections are tuneful and easy to learn. They are distributed the week prior, and rehearsal occurs just before the 10 am Sunday service on the day of the performance. The Community Choir is open to one and all, young or old, musical or not, in the true spirit of the Episcopal motto, “All Are Welcome Here.”
Special Events
Additionally, St. Mary’s hosts several special concerts and recitals throughout the year. Our Christmas Eve and Easter services over the past few years have showcased superb string quartets and brass ensembles. These performances are funded in large part through special holiday offerings from parishioners. We have also hosted external piano and organ recitals at the church as well as The Rockland County Orchestra/Band.