The choir of St. Paul’s Church will present the time-honored tradition of evensong at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the church at 605 Reynolds St.
Held near sunset, the vespers service is a regular part of larger Anglican churches. At Westminster Abbey in London, for example, it’s observed several times a week; however, at St. Paul’s, it’s only offered twice a year, according to Keith Shafer, the church’s director of music.
“Everything is sung,” said Shafer of the service. “There’s no sermon and no collection.”
Since there’s no spoken liturgy in evensong, the acapella service falls entirely upon the shoulders of the volunteer choir, whose members started preparing in August for Sunday, which is observed as All Saints Sunday.
Music composed by John Reading, Cuthbert Harris, Edgar Bainton and Tommy Dorsey is featured.
Dorsey’s “Precious Lord” is one of the highlighted works.
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“It’s probably his most well-known work,” said Shafer.
And while the choir has sung Dorsey’s piece before, this is a new arrangement, and Shafer is excited about bringing it to the audience.
“It’s arranged by Howard Helvey, and it’s just gorgeous. The choir loves singing it. It’s spinetingling,” he said.
Shafer is an aficionado of Helvey’s work and has his interested piqued whenever Helvey’s name is mentioned.
“I’m always interested to see what he has done,” he said.
The St. Paul’s evensong brings patrons from around the area, according to Shafer.
“It’s heartwarming to me that it draws a lot of people who are not members,” he said.
There’s a reception following the service.
The choir’s spring evensong is usually held in late February or early March. Preparations for that service will begin in early January.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
