Music at Nativity
Music at Nativity
Through the history of the church, music has been an integral and thriving ministry in the vibrant and vital life of Nativity. The church has become a center for quality choral and organ music in downtown Huntsville and its surrounding areas. The music tradition of Nativity represents a broad spectrum of repertoire but is deeply and firmly rooted in the Anglican tradition. We have musical offerings for all ages and all levels of experience. Our choirs provide music for weekly Sunday liturgies as well as Choral Evensongs, Lessons and Carols, Compline, Hymn Festivals, and other services throughout the main choir season.
Choral Evensong on third Sundays: 4:30pm organ recital, 5pm service
February 15 sung by the Sewanee chapel choir
Mark Ardrey-Graves, director; Stephanie Yoder, organist
April 19 sung by the Chancel Choir
recital by Aaron Tan: organ music from the Netherlands
and Scandinavia
May 17 sung by the Nativity Choristers
recital by Aaron Tan: organ music of J. S. Bach
Compline on first Sundays at 8pm
February 1 for the Eve of Candlemas; music of William Byrd
March 1 for the Second Sunday of Lent; music of Byrd and Thomas Tallis
May 3 for the Fifth Sunday of Easter; music of Peter Philips and Tallis
Verleih uns Frieden | A concert of music for choir, organ, and orchestra by Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Rheinberger
March 15, 3pm
Delve into some sumptuous German Romantic music including a rarely-heard early cantata of Mendelssohn, Christe, du Lamm Gottes and Josef Rheinberger's Organ Concerto No. 1, as well as perennial choral favorites like Mendelssohn's Verleih uns Frieden and Brahms's Geistliches Lied.
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Choirs
There are singing opportunities for anyone starting in grade 3. For more information click below.
Organs
We are blessed with two organs at Nativity. To learn more about them, click below.
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Choral Evensong
The service of Evensong is one of the oldest in the Anglican tradition, dating back to the original Book of Common Prayer of 1549. Evensong is a combination of the monastic offices of Vespers (sung at sunset) and Compline (sung before bedtime), and is drawn almost entirely from the Bible. Musical components of Evensong include psalms, hymns, anthems, and the canticles Magnificat and Nunc dimittis. This exquisite service of praise where we offer him our adoration, our efforts, and our very selves is an ancient tradition of the Church.
Compline
This service is offered during different seasons of the year. Compline at Nativity is a 30 minute service entirely sung by a small ensemble from the choir. This monastic service is comprised of sung prayers, hymns, readings, anthems, and canticles in praise to God and in preparation for sleep.
Lessons and Carols
Originating in Cambridge at King's College, Lessons and Carols is a service we offer annually one Sunday in December that leads the congregation through the events leading up to the birth of Christ through the visit from the Magi. Hymns and anthems are sung in alternation with lessons to tell the story and prepare us for the birth of Christ.
Other Musical Offerings
Other services we offer include Choral Eucharists with special intention (honoring a particular saint or feast), Holy Week services, and a Meditation on the Passion of Christ, with carols on Palm Sunday. The Meditation is similar to Lessons and Carols but leads everyone through the Passion narrative