Music
"Just the noise you make, and the camaraderie...it is the most life-affirming experience, singing in a choir."
--Sir Elton John
The Music Ministry at The Church of the Epiphany offers a variety of opportunities for participation and welcomes all who are interested. We believe that we are called to offer our gifts to the glory of God, the Giver, and in the service of one another. We seek not only to preserve and pass on the Church’s great musical heritage of hymns and anthems but to explore new music that is becoming part of the Church’s musical wealth. Music for use in services is selected to be appropriate to the service’s scriptural themes and for the church season in which it is used.
In addition, the Epiphany Music Guild furthers the church's outreach mission to the community by providing a regular series of musical and other artistic events; thereby enriching people’s lives and giving them opportunities to encounter beauty in a sacred space. The worship life of the congregation is also enriched by providing occasional additional financial support for special music in worship services above and beyond what is normally the responsibility of the parish budget.
There are multiple choirs active in the music ministry of The Church of the Epiphany: the Parish Choir, the Choristers and the Schola.
Listen to our wonderful choir sing "Thy Matchless Love", then come to church and hear some more!
2023-2024 MUSIC GUILD EVENTS
In early 2020, the EMG was informed that it had been named the Best Non-Profit Organization in Oak Park. We are deeply honored that our work to bring great music to our community has been recognized!I
Join The Epiphany Music Guild
Just before COVID-19 arrived in 2020, the Epiphany Music Guild (EMG) received the exciting news that it had been named the "Best Nonprofit Organization in Oak Park" for 2020. This honor recognizes the hard work of the EMG Board to bring great music to our community in the wonderful acoustics of the Church of the Epiphany.
The current EMG Board Members are Carrie and John Birmingham, John Brunson, Susan and Tim Halligan, Linda Loomis, Kerrie Sadler, Steve Seebach, and Carrie and Jay Wilcox. If you have any questions about the EMG, they will be more than happy to answer them!
Because of the generosity of the members of the Music Guild, the majority of our events are open to all without admission charges. We receive no financial support from the Church of the Epiphany, so we are reliant on donors like you to make our series happen.
Members of the EMG receive an exclusive invitation to our Member Appreciation Event. The donations of Guild members also enrich our regular worship by supporting musical enhancements to those services. None of this would be possible without the Guild’s continued generous support.
How Do I Join? »Parish Choir
Thursdays from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m.
Anyone of high school age or older is welcome to join the Parish Choir. A desire to sing in the service of God and in the leadership of worship is the most important qualification for membership, coupled with a willingness to make a commitment to this ministry.
Tell Me More! »Schola
Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:40 p.m.
The Epiphany Schola is a select chamber choir specializing in music for small unaccompanied choir. The Schola leads services about a dozen times a year, including special services such as Evensong, Compline, and the Easter Vigil service. The Schola also joins with the Parish Choir for special services, such as Advent Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, and Easter.
I'm Interested. »Our Organ
The E. & G.G. Hook Organ Opus 505 was originally bult in 1869 for the Greene Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at a cost of $3000 raised by the church’s ladies’ auxiliary. By January 1996, the church was closed and in serious disrepair with daylight visible through the ceiling and plants sprouting from the floor. Organ collector Robert B. Whiting purchased the instrument and commissioned Patrick J. Murphy & Associates to restore the organ to its original splendor. The extensive restoration work, based on the guidelines suggested by the Organ Historical Society, included retabling of both manual windchests, rebuilding of the double rise bellows, installation of new wood squares and key action. All pipework was carefully restored with new tuning collars. All casework was refinished, and façade pipes were re-stenciled. The pedalboard was recovered with new maple naturals and walnut sharps.
Unfortunately, Mr. Whiting passed away before the final installation was to take place.
What Happened Next? »
Music Director; Epiphany Music Guild
