Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord!
Music is vital to worship at St. James the Less. Under the creative leadership of the music director, our services include standard Anglican repertoire along with classical, contemporary, gospel, and international music. Our adult choir rehearses and leads worship weekly from September through May.
Our traditional music uses the church’s Moeller two-manual, 16-rank pipe organ with trompette en chamade and zimbelstern. Other instruments include handbells, handchimes, piano, guitars, and whatever else worshipers can play. We have recently improved our sound system to provide better sound for all members of the parish.
Our traditional music uses the church’s Moeller two-manual, 16-rank pipe organ with trompette en chamade and zimbelstern. Other instruments include handbells, handchimes, piano, guitars, and whatever else worshipers can play. We have recently improved our sound system to provide better sound for all members of the parish.
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Adult Choir
The adult choir leads worship most Sundays from September through May, and occasional Sundays during the summer. During the school year we rehearse every Thursday night from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. In addition to weekly Psalms and hymns, we learn one or two more elaborate anthems per month, sometimes supplementing our sound with professional singers and brass. Annual highlights include the Feast of All Saints, Advent Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, and Holy Week/Easter. No audition is necessary. Come sing with us!
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Children's Choir
The children’s choir helps lead worship on several occasions during the school year, including the annual Christmas Pageant and often on Palm Sunday. We soon hope to resume practicing after Sunday worship in two overlapping groups: the SongPlay choir for younger children, and the Youth Choir for children through middle school. If you know a child who'd like to sing and maybe play some percussion instruments, please tell Mr. Josh or his assistant, Mr. Bunny.
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Choral Scholars
The Choral Scholars program encourages local high school students to become musical leaders. Students are paid to sing with the adult choir at weekly rehearsals and worship services. They serve as section leaders and worship soloists, gaining experience and enriching our worship along the way. One graduate of the program says, “Every practice and Mass put me in a good mood.”
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Contemporary Music
St. James the Less folds contemporary praise and gospel music into our worship in several ways. Beyond The Hymnal 1982, we frequently consult newer hymnals (like Lift Every Voice and Sing II) and databases (like CCLI's SongSelect) for fresh Psalm settings, choral anthems, and congregational songs. Guitarists might play alongside the organ, or in support of experienced song leaders. Contemporary music ministry is open to all, and is an ideal opportunity for musicians who would like to lead, but who can’t attend regular choral rehearsals. Practices are scheduled around the participants’ schedules.
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Beatles Mass
As advertised on WXRT’s Breakfast With the Beatles, the Beatles Mass is our annual spring worship event. It features a worship service comprised entirely of Beatles songs, led by the St. James the Less Fab Four, a quartet of Chicago-area professionals. Join a multi-generational crowd as we praise God with the timeless spiritual wisdom of John, Paul, George, and Ringo; then stay afterwards for our biggest outreach fundraiser of the year, a brunch and silent auction. Bring your friends!
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For more information about Music at St. James the Less, contact Josh Langhoff, Director of Music Ministries, at music@stjamestheless.org.
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