Excellence in Music

Under the expert leadership of Clive Dunstan, Mus. Bac., A.R.C.T., C.R.C.C.O. and accompanist Pat Dunstan, A.R.C.T., Artist & Licentiate Diplomas St. James offers a program of award winning choral music by soloists, The Chancel Choir, and the Senior Choir. The soloists are Leander Mendoza (Tenor), Brynne McLeod (Alto), Bill Price (Baritone) and Kathleen Wells (Soprano).

Further, under the direction of Anne Tipler, B. Mus. Ed., Orff., Cert., and Kelly Tipler, B. Mus. Ed. we  offer an excellent program of choral music for young people aged 5 and up in the Junior and Youth Choirs. There are over 30 young people in this program.

The Adult Senior Choir has over 40 choristers who gather to rehearse Thursday evenings from 8:30 – 9:45 p.m. and sing an anthem each Sunday. Christmas and Easter bring worship services with special music that attracts a packed sanctuary. No auditions or music reading skills are required, simply a love of singing and a willingness to make a commitment to the church and each other. A very commendable standard of musicianship is achieved thanks to the dedication of all and the musical leadership of our talented section leaders.

The Chancel Choir has 25 teen and adult members by invitation of our Choir Director, Clive Dunstan. They rehearse Thursdays from 7:45 – 8:30 p.m. and Sundays after church from 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Most members have studied music in school or privately, and a number are themselves music teachers. Led by section leaders, the choir sings a great variety of challenging repertoire every Sunday. This choir produced an inspiring C.D. entitled “In His Love”, and has won many awards over the years at music festivals. They have also performed at weddings, concerts outside St. James, and take a lead role in all of the musical shows that have become a popular community event.

Recently, the Soloists and Chancel Choir made a CD “In His Love” featuring many songs in the choir repertoire. Copies are available by contacting the St. James office. You can listen to three samples from this CD through the link at the top right of this page.

The Junior Choir is open to all children ages 5 to 10. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:15. Each rehearsal begins with a singing game and tone-matching activities. The remainder of the time is spent working on one or more anthems which are in different stages of preparation for presentation during a future Sunday worship service. When the Youth Choir arrives at 7pm, the final 15 minutes is spent rehearsing one combined anthem. The Junior Choir sings alone and with the Youth Choir during Sunday worship at least once a month, and sometimes twice. The aim is to balance a fun learning atmosphere for the children with the goal of producing quality musical offerings to enhance Sunday worship.

The Youth Choir members range in age from 10 to 19. Grade 5 choristers sing in both the Junior and Youth Choirs. They provide guidance for our Junior choristers, while at the same time gaining an introduction to the more advanced skills of music-reading and part-singing. Older, more experienced members of the Youth choir act as mentors to new members and help them learn how to follow musical scores and sing harmony parts. Some older members of the Youth Choir may be invited to join the Chancel Choir as well. The Youth Choir usually sings during Sunday worship at least twice per month, and sometimes more. Many, but not all, members of the Youth Choir, take private music lessons in piano, voice, or other instruments; and some play an instrument in school orchestras or bands. Some members do not receive any music classes at school and choir is their only musical outlet. Most Youth Choristers have moved up from Junior Choir and most stay in choir until they graduate from high school, often in spite of very busy schedules.

In addition, the St. James Choirs regularly present special event concerts, and performances of Broadway musicals. Every few years all choir members are offered an opportunity to join in a staged musical production to further enhance interest, build community at a deeper level, and raise funds for a special church project. A recent and very successful musical event was the St. James Orchestra featuring 42 musicians in the congregation.

Music Memorials. Would you like to honour the memory of someone, commemorate a loved one, a special event or occasion or simply show your appreciation of someone? Why not purchase a music anthem for the St. James music library? Whenever the anthem is sung, perhaps once every year or two, the bulletin will contain a line of remembrance and acknowledgement. It is almost like putting flowers in the church on special occasions, except the music is a lasting, living memorial and does save the choir the expense of purchasing some new music.

The cost of purchasing one new anthem is $100 and Clive would be happy to make suggestions, choose an appropriate text and music and supply the music. Contact Clive Dunstan 905 625-8605