St. Paul’s features music for the community
Submitted by Stuart Beaudoin
You probably know that many of the Uxbridge community are familiar with St. Paul’s Anglican Church as a venue for music groups to rehearse and perform. The Monday Morning Singers, One Voice and Northern Trails Vocal Connection all call St. Paul’s home for rehearsals and performances.
But did you know that St. Paul’s is also home to a much broader variety of performers and ensembles?
The Orpheus Symphonietta, a 40-piece symphony orchestra founded many years ago by Stu Beaudoin, the music director of St. Paul’s, performs regularly around Remembrance Day to honour veterans. This year, on November 10, at 7 p.m., they will perform Max Bruch’s Double Concerto with Joyce Lai (violin) and Ian Clarke (viola). Both are professional musicians who live part time in Brechin. The orchestra will also perform Sibelius’ divine Symphony #5 and Tish MacDonald will reflect on remembrances of Uxbridge.
Cantorei sine Nomine (Singers without Name), a chamber choir founded in 2004, rehearse and perform at St. Paul’s each year at Christmas and Easter. They sing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in alternate years to the Messiah performances. This year on November 24, at 7 p.m., they will sing Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit, along with members of the symphony. This mass is composed of French noels; the audience will be invited to sing along other to carols and noels.
In addition to these two larger groups, St. Paul’s hosts a variety of other musical events.
On September 21, at 3 p.m., the Aldbury Gardens Brass Quintet will perform a Festival of Music for Brass and Organ. The quintet is comprised of brass players from around Uxbridge and will be accompanied by Stuart Beaudoin on the organ.
On October 5, at 7 p.m., St. Paul’s welcomes Chris Saunders and Friends, including Abby Zotz, Bryan Williston, Joel Saunders, all of whom are well known to Uxbridge. They will feature original music plus popular songs by other artists. In particular, the fine finger pickin’ for guitars, bass plus harmonica, banjo, lap steel and vocal harmony will keep your toes tapping.
On October 19, also at 7 p.m., Ian Sadler, who is also well known to Uxbridge audiences, will give an organ recital on the new organ at St Paul’s. Sadler is often heard as accompanist for Monday Morning Singers and, in the past, the Uxbridge Chamber Choir. This will feature Sadler as the first soloist on this new instrument.
In 2025, St. Paul’s will host Ferrport Jazz, a history of film music by John Haines, and more.
St. Paul’s is not only a place of worship, but, as in the history of all churches, it a place where the gifts of the community can come together. St. Paul’s Anglican Church looks forward to seeing the Uxbridge community at all the muscial events it hosts.