Music

Perhaps most famously captured in Archbishop William Laud’s sixteenth century insistence on worshipping in “the beauty of holiness,” music has always been central to the liturgical life of the Anglican Communion.  The central place of music is vibrant at Christ Church, where we focus on the beauty of liturgical music and find it in hymns and anthems drawn from across several centuries and numerous musical styles.  Music provides both choir and congregation the opportunity to offer to God a “joyful noise.”

THE ADULT CHOIR

The Adult Choir consists of about fifteen to eighteen singers, including four paid section leaders. The choir provides an anthem each Sunday of the program year, additional music at special seasons, and supports congregational singing. They also lend their voices to our Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols and our Annual Lenten Evensong (sung Evening Prayer). The choir’s repertoire is varied, including chant, Tudor choral works, music of the Anglican Revival, spirituals, jazz, music of the American shape note tradition and recent works by contemporary composers.

The Adult Choir is always happy to welcome new members from among those High School aged or above. Please see the Director of Music, Scott Ziegler, if you are interested. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings, beginning at 8:00 pm.

THE CHRIST CHURCH ORGAN and PIANOS

Christ Church houses a three-manual, thirty-five rank Moeller organ, installed in 1951 and fully rebuilt in 1990 by Moeller. Built in the American Classic tradition, the organ adds greatly to the church’s liturgical and musical life.   The organ console went through a complete restoration in 2015. The Church is also fortunate to have two fine pianos, a Chickering grand in the sanctuary and a Steinway grand in the choir hall. 

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

In 2021, we welcomed Scott Ziegler as our Director of Music, following the retirement of Bill Davies, who preceded him.

Scott is a Music Teacher at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood where he teaches keyboards, chorus, gospel choir, and directs the spring musical. He is currently pursuing a M.Ed. online from the University of Virginia and holds an M.M. (Organ Performance) from the University of Florida and a B.M. (Music Education) from Montclair State University. As an Organist Scott has appeared with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Bach Festival of Central Florida, University of Central Florida Orchestra, and Stetson University choirs. In Florida he served as the full-time Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland and as the Collaborative Pianist in the music department at Florida Southern College before moving back home. Scott was received into the Episcopal Church in 2013 while serving at St. Mark’s Church in Mendham, NJ. A highlight of his pre-pandemic career was rehearsing choirs to perform at Disney’s Candlelight Processional at Epcot alongside the Voices of Liberty.