Music for Easter

Easter music is some of the most profound in sacred music literature. St. Paul's is blessed to have musicians who can express that depth as our choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists have served so well this Holy Week and now in today’s joyous Easter liturgy. At the Vigil and Easter morning offertory the choir sings "If ye be risen again with Christ" by Orlando Gibbons illustrating the Gospel’s message that, united in faith in the resurrection, we join with the Risen Lord when He comes in glory.

On Easter morning the prelude and postlude give forth the glorious mystery and splendor of the resurrection. At the prelude, they men and women of the choir sing verses of the ancient Easter Sequence hymn, Victimae Paschali laudes (Let Christians offer sacrificial praises) followed by my improvisations on that hymn from the gallery organ and Bryan’s at the chancel organ. At the postlude, Bryan will play the “Toccata” (with brass) from Widor’s Fifth Organ Symphony. Of course our singing will be accompanied by a brass quintet and they will be featured in other works. Our brass quintet includes Brian Kiser, tuba; Tim Brutscher and Joe Badaczewski, trumpets; Emmett Goods, Trombone; and, Stacie Mickens, Horn. Tommy Starr plays our new Timpani. My appreciation for all our musicians and a blessed Easter to all!