Ministries
Music
We enjoy a musical heritage that enriches our worship and shapes our hearts, minds, and souls for God's glory and service. Our dynamic music program includes three choirs, a handbell choir, recorder consort, and ringing of the bells in Good Shepherd's Bell Tower.
To get involved in any of Good Shepherd’s ensembles, Contact James Nord, Organist/Choirmaster.
The Good Shepherd Choir
Adults
The Good Shepherd Choir sings at the 11:15 am service throughout the year. Recognized as an outstanding regional ensemble, the choir sings a great variety of choral literature in services, as well as major works at Evensong and in community concerts. The choir has been invited to sing at Westminster Abbey and the Washington National Cathedral, and has worked with such renowned conductors as Joseph Flummerfelt, Ann Howard Jones, Robert Fort, Bing Vick, Henry Leck and Sandra Willetts.
Membership is by audition. Contact James Nord, Organist/Choirmaster for more information.
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 pm.
St. Gregory Choir
Grades 3-8
The Royal School of Church Music Training Scheme gives young people a valuable musical and theological education. Musical standards are high, and singers learn that hard work gets results. To make things fun, the choir is divided into houses (like those at Hogwarts) to teach teamwork and encourage healthy competition.
The St. Gregory Choir sings at the 9:00 am service every Sunday, with a warm-up at 8:30 am. Breakfast for the whole family is served prior, at 8:15 am.
Rehearsals are 6:00 - 7:00 pm on Sunday nights.
St. Francis Choir
High School Students
The St. Francis Choir sings at the 9:00 am service every Sunday, with a warm-up at 8:30 am. Breakfast for the whole family is served prior, at 8:15 am.
Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons from 4:30 - 5:30 pm.
Recorder Consort
A popular wind instrument during the 16th and 17th centuries, recorders provided inspiration for many famous church composers, including Bach and Handel. The choir of instruments, as well as the ensemble of players, is called a consort. Our instruments were made by the famous German maker, Mollenhaur.
A group of enthusiastic parishioners meet weekly to rehearse, and regularly offer music in services. If you are interested in joining the consort, contact James Nord. There are opportunities for all levels of playing ability. Music reading skills are required, we can teach you the rest.
Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 10:30 am - 11:30 am.
Handbells
The Good Shepherd Handbell Choir is open to all interested parishioners. Membership is by interview with the director. Contact James Nord for more information or to make an appointment.
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 6:45 - 7:30 pm.
Change Ringing (Bell Tower)
The eight change ringing bells in Good Shepherd’s bell tower were cast by the famous Whitechapel Foundry in London, Britain’s oldest manufacturing company, and installed in 2004.
Change ringing, originating in 17th century England, is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns known as ‘methods.’ The bells are constantly moving or ‘changing’ their position in the order in which they are struck.
The bells at Good Shepherd are rung at 10 am every Sunday. Membership is open to all 12 years of age and older. Contact James Nord to learn more.
Tower Officers
Tower Captain - James Nord
Ringing Master - Tom Smyth
North American Guild of Change Ringers
Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.