“Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
~ Psalm 105:2
Exciting music staff update
Dear People of St. David’s, In my short time at St. David’s, there have been a few things that have just jumped out at me. One of those things is that Elaine Sonnenberg Whitelock is an absolute treasure. As an artist, as an administrator, and as a person she is...
Music Department Fall Staffing
Monday, August 5, 2024 Dear People of St. David’s, In July of 2024 I was honored and humbled to assume a new role at St. David’s as interim director of music after the retirement of Dr. Clair Rozier as director of music. I am very excited to announce that we will...
Primary, Children’s & Youth Choirs
September-May
Join a Choir!
Young musicians are offered three progressive youth choirs, from ages 4 to grade 12. Each provides opportunities for growth in faith, love of singing, and worship leadership through music.
Choir rehearsals for the 2024-2025 program year will return in September during the weeks surrounding Labor Day. Primary (age 4 – grade 1) and Children’s Choirs (grades 2-5) and Youth Choir (grades 6-12) rehearse on Wednesday evenings; there is an additional Youth Choir rehearsal at 11:15 a.m. on Sundays. Dinner is available on Wednesday evenings for a fee. (Registration coming soon) The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings.
Primary Choir (Age 4 - Grade 1)
This program starts with singing and rhythm instruments with Dr. Elaine Sonnenberg and Kathy Wagner and ends with a Christian Formation (Christian Education) activity with Maria Leal. These young choristers focus on music that communicates a direct message of God’s presence and learn anthems to be sung in worship approximately four times a year.
This year we will be be introducing The Very Best Day – The Way of Love for Children as our Christian Formation class time. The Very Best Day: The Way of Love for Children introduces the practices for a Jesus-centered life for children. Through key words and colorful images, children will see how to Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest in daily life as a follower of Jesus.
“The Way of Love” has become a mantra of Michael B. Curry’s episcopate as presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. From the royal wedding to the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church and continuing today, all ages have been inspired and eager to “grow more deeply with Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, so we can bear witness to his way of love in and for the world.”
Our goal is growing our children’s Christian faith and assuring them of God’s promises to them.
For more information, please contact Dr. Elaine Sonnenberg or Maria Leal.
Children’s Choir (Grades 2-5)
The Children’s Choir (Grades 2–5) meets on Wednesdays and sings at the 9:15 a.m. service about once a month. The goal of Children’s Choir is to nurture their faith through music by fostering a love of singing, learning to sing as a choir, and learning how to be a worship leader through music. Every year the Children’s Choir combines with the Primary and Youth Choirs in the annual Lessons and Carols service in December, as well as on Christmas Eve and Easter. For more information contact Kathy Wagner.
Youth Choir (Grades 6-12)
The youth choir sings at Sunday morning worship services and at special liturgies, including Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve and presents a musical or talent show each year. The group is also involved in community outreach and tours both regionally and internationally, having recently traveled to Scotland, England, New York City, and Orlando, Florida. Some highlights of the upcoming year include Lessons and Carols in December, a trip to Orlando in January, and a Broadway Musical Revue in May. For more information, please contact Dr. Elaine Sonnenberg.
Adult Choir
Adult Choir
The St. David’s Adult Choir, comprised of about thirty volunteers plus the support of professional singers, meets on Thursdays from 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. and sings at the 9:15 a.m. Chapel service most weeks. Evensong services are offered several times a year as well as an annual Messiah concert with orchestra in December. The choir sings a broad range of musical styles and genres from spirituals to traditional classical anthems. Recent choir trips have included Ireland in 2019, to be the choir-in-residence for a week at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and England and Wales in 2023 to be the choir-in-residence at Litchfield and St. David’s Cathedrals. Music reading is not a requirement, just the ability to match pitch. For more information or to join the Adult Choir, contact Dr. Elaine Sonnenberg.
Locus Iste Dohnányi by Ernst von Dohnany
Instrumental Music
Handbell Choirs
The St. David’s Handbell Choirs are both intergenerational handbell choirs for youth and adults. Both groups participate in worship once a month and lead a special handbell service biannually. The ability to read music is recommended.
For more information or to join either choir, please contact Dr. Elaine Sonnenberg.
St. David’s Handbell Ensemble
Bells of St. David’s
Pageant Band
The Pageant Band is open to youth (Grades 6-12) and adult instrumentalists. This ensemble accompanies our pageants in December and plays on All Choirs Sunday in May. For more information, please contact Dr. Elaine Sonnenberg.
Music Events
Choir Photos
Cherub & Primary Choir
Adult Choir Messiah
Christmas Pageant Band
Handbell Choir
All St. David’s Choirs
Lessons & Carols
Youth Musical Revue
