From the Rector

Dear Friends in Christ,

This is the third in this series of articles on transitions in administration and staffing. I’ll address a bit about music today and next week offer a kind of 3.5 piece summary.

Music

First, let me say that I could not be more proud of the choirs and our music ministry throughout the pandemic. We found new ways to offer praise to God and to keep singing amidst all the uncertainties and challenges. We offered music that was a real gift to so many and sought to do so using new methods, building on our long history of choral excellence.

Few will know the long hours that Dr Appel and Dr Campbell put into those online services. Countless hours went into compiling hymns, anthems, and organ pieces. That was combined with the choir members learning to use new technology and equipment, and singing from living rooms and bedrooms. It was unprecedented and an inspiration.

I know I’m not the only one who had a teary eye hearing Once in Royal David’s City last Christmas or Jesus Christ is Risen Today at Easter offered with brass and so many loving voices.

As we regather from the pandemic, we continue to offer music to God that is exemplary. The Vierne Kyrie on First Sunday was one powerful example of that commitment—a hymn that echoes with the ancient prayer to God for mercy and offered with solemn dignity. That same day we heard the Esenvalds O Salutaris with its soaring adoration of God and thanks for his presence among us. We heard one hymn after another, old favorites we could sing from the heart by memory.

Our return to such music is led by Dr Appel and Dr Campbell. They are such fine colleagues and examples of dedicated faithfulness. Our choir program is demanding under the best of circumstances—and these last two years have been anything but the best. Yet these two brought the best of our abilities and gifts to bear. I am so glad to say that both are returning in their familiar roles leading our program. Having dealt with such uncertainty, it is a gift to have the stability they both bring.

A Special Thanks

I especially want to highlight the Saint Nicholas Choir's work which continued regularly for the whole pandemic. Few may understand what these young choristers do every week, and the degree to which they are committed to serving the liturgy.

Saint Philip’s youth choir is a music outreach program in its own right: a high-quality musical education program available to any youth who wishes to join—at no cost. At the same time, it's a fully functioning liturgical ministry.

I encourage you to attend Evensong when you are able, as well. It is a vital part of our Anglican identity, and one which our youths work hard to support. Another way to support our youth choristers would be to pray for them as they prepare to take part in the UK Residency next summer and, if you are able, to donate funds to help make that unique, faith-deepening experience possible.

Compline and Other Music

One piece of change underway is Saint Philip’s work developing a Compline service to be offered in the community beyond our parish. Chris Campbell is leading that effort and has been recruiting choristers, talking with community partners, and coordinating with the grant program to help make this possible.

I will ask Chris to provide an update soon so you can learn more about the developments. It’s a new expression of Saint Philip’s long commitment to offering music that reaches deep into the Tucson community and offers new ways for us to praise God and be present for so many in need of peace.

You will also hear more soon about dinner concerts with young artists being planned for the winter and spring. I’m delighted that these concerts are being planned—a calendar, artists, and more information will follow soon.

We have good relationships with local music teachers and programs, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we build on that foundation and have Saint Philip’s continue to be a place where budding artists can find a way to share and develop their gifts.

Music and Technology

I want to note that we’re still in the midst of live-streaming and AV upgrades. This means that as we test out the new systems and work with our new AV company, there will inevitably be some hiccups along the way.

I’m encouraged to hear that final installation of the new equipment and the software and systems that tie all of this together should remedy the vast majority of the issues we’ve had online and in person in terms of sound quality. 

Every new piece of hardware we put in has an impact on all the others, and each new feature we add taxes our wireless system and existing wiring and the like. The good news is that we’re on the road toward having all of these synced and in harmony.

Saint Philip’s is at the mercy of supply chain issues right now. We are waiting for some final pieces but are aiming for a December completion. Thanks to our donors, and to Preservation and Endowment, Saint Philip’s will have a high quality system installed in a manner sensitive to our historic building and be able to share the beauty of our music and liturgy with so many who can’t be in person.

Thank you for your patience as we move toward a system that will give us both improved sound in the nave and online!

Friends of Music

A crucial partner in supporting music through the years at Saint Philip’s has been Friends of Music (FOM). As with many non-profits, and especially those involved in the arts, the pandemic posed a special challenge. The board of FOM voted to end the work, as it was constituted, given both the unique challenges of the pandemic but also given the need to bring more people into the ministry.

This break has raised questions about how to involve more folks in the work of supporting and promoting music, how to raise the profile of concerts and liturgical music offered, and how Saint Philip’s can shape music outreach to meet the changing needs of the community. A group of individuals involved in music at Saint Philip’s has been in conversation about all of this and the shape of the work of Friends of Music in the future. 

This year, FOM shifted its focus to primarily supporting the liturgical music life at Saint Philip’s. As we regather, that makes a great deal of sense. FOM also voted to make a substantial gift to help make the UK Residency in 2022 possible.

We will take some time this coming year to draw new voices into the conversation, shape the work and mission, and recommit to sharing music with the wider community in ways that welcome more people into this ministry while also lightening the load for those already involved. 

My deep thanks go to those who shepherded FOM’s work through the difficult last eighteen months, to those who have worked on that board through the years, and to those who will help shape its work in years to come.

Conclusion

Thank you to our choir members, to our music librarians, to those who have supported the music program, and to our music ministry leaders for your dedication and faithfulness. As I prayed at All Souls this year, hearing our choir back and singing brought home with poignant force the power of music in the life of prayer. We’ve needed to sing. We need to sing. And I’m ever grateful to those who help us meet that need with such beauty and love.

Yours in Christ,

Fr Robert