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Musical Offerings At several times in its history, St. Philip's Episcopal Church has been famous for its music. In the mid-1950s, the church had a large choir for several years under the direction of Val Coulter. Old-timers still recall the time they raised the rafters with a 40-voice choir singing Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus". In 1980, a spirit-filled folk quartet calling itself "Anglican" was formed at St. Philip's, singing in church and at community gatherings for several years. The Revs. Liza Spangler, Stephen Kelsey, and Ned Caum were harmoniously joined by Barbara Cameron Caum. Two series of "Musical Offering" concerts were held to raise funds for stained glass windows for the church in 1980-1981. In addition to Anglican, the concerts featured a variety of local musical talent. The church choir at St. Philip's has been under the direction of Bonnie Demerjian since 1980. A cellist and former music teacher, Bonnie particularly enjoys challenging the choir with a different styles of liturgical music. Alice Rooney has been the organist at St. Philip's continuously since 1979. Her settings of the "Gloria" and "Sanctus" are often used by the congregation. In recent years, the group has been strengthened by members of the Helgeson family; brothers Stephen and Peter, with wives Ginny and Kara. Stephen and Peter spent their childhood as members of an Episcopal boys' choir in Portland, Oregon, traveling to England several times to sing in Anglican cathedrals. Steve and Ginny also perform in an Irish group called Fiddler's Green. Other faithful choir members include Joan Benjamin, Trudy Johnson, Susan Sciabbarrasi, and Haig Demerjian. From Palestrina to Pulkingham, the choir sets the tone for worship at St. Philip's. |