Music Ministries

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psalm 95:1

Music is one of the ways in which we joyfully praise and worship God. We have a rich and diverse tradition of choral and instrumental music that spans all age groups, from the children's music programs to the Chancel and bell choirs to guest artists. We invite you to find a place in our music program to share your talent and express your spirituality. For more information about our music programs, contact Shawn Portell.

Music in a Great Place

Under the leadership of Shawn Portell, Director of Music/Sr. Organist, this series began in 1996 to provide music that would enhance the worship experience. Throughout its history it has attracted hundreds of musicians, actors, dancers and choirs not only from the St. Louis community, but also from across the United States, Asia and Africa. This series is partially funded by the Dysart Fund for the Musical Arts at WGPC. Contributions in support of the series are always welcome.

2022-2023 Music in a Great Place - 26th Season

Stony Hill Brass Quintet

WGPC Artists in Residence
9:30am Worship Services

September 11, 2022
November 20, 2022
February 12, 2023
April 2, 2023

A frequent guest on our "Music in a Great Place" series, the Stony Hill Brass Quintet will be with us on four Sunday mornings during the season as our first Artists in Residence. Their repertoire is diverse and thrilling playing a wide range of styles for brass quintet. Members include Robert Souza, Jason Harris, Steven Hanrahan, Jeremy Knudtson, and Matt Frederickson.

St. Louis Metro Singers

Fall Benefit Concert in Celebration of the Life of Sandra Buschmann
September 18, 2022 at 7:00pm

Annual Christmas Concert
November 27, 2022 at 7:00pm

Under the direction of Shawn Portell, the St. Louis Metro Singers is a community chorus that dates back to 1950. SLMS currently has a membership of about 80 auditioned singers from St. Louis City and County, St. Charles County and neighboring communities. Its members represent varied ages and diverse backgrounds but all have a common desire - to share their love of choral music with people through the St. Louis metropolitan and surrounding areas. SLMS have called Webster Groves Presbyterian Church their rehearsal home since 2021.

Kamilla Arku, pianist

With the IMI Chamber Players

October 9, 2022 at 3:00pm
This concert is presented as part of the Intercultural Music Initiative Series.

This concert will feature Liberian-Norwegian pianist Kamilla Arku from New York, performing with St. Louis based IMI Chamber Players, in a concert of music by composers of color, such as Adolphus Hailstork, Florence B. Price, Tanya Leo, Fred Onovwerosuoke, along with familiar standard repertoire by Francis Poulenc, Ludwig van Beethoven, and J.S. Bach. Kamilla is a graduate of Yale University and the Royal Northern College of Music. This concert will begin with a pre-concert talk and performance demonstration presented by the musicians and co-moderated by St. Louis composer Fred Onovwerosuoke and KOPN Radio host Diana Moxon.

Connie Krull and Amalia LaViolette

October 23, 2022
9:30am Worship Service

The duo of Connie and Amalia has been performing together for the past seventeen years. Together they have sung an eclectic mix of Broadway, Classical, Patriotic, Sacred and standard songs from the 30's through the 70's. Both are music educators and perform for a variety of clients, including private parties, church groups, and retirement homes as well as singing a diverse range of sacred songs for worship services.

"And There Was Light"

Festival of Lessons and Carols
A Cantata by Joseph M. Martin
December 18, 2022
9:30am Worship Service

WGPC Chancel Choir and Glendale Presbyterian Chancel Choir with guest orchestra

This cantata is a celebration of light. Filled with time-honored carols and expressive original songs, this work will dazzle and inspire. The first half of the cantata is dedicated to hopeful prophecies associated with the coming "Light of the World." With the birth of Jesus, the second part moves forward to declare the tidings of great joy. Jesus lifts us from our dust and darkness and at last we claim the dawn. "Let there be light," the heavens shout! And there was light!

The Mazzoni Duo

Matt and Jennifer Mazzoni

January 22, 2023
9:30am Worship Service

Inspired by the beauty around them, the Mazzoni Duo has been presenting music as a dynamic flute and piano ensemble for over 15 years. After meeting in a theory entrance exam in 2003, Matt and Jennifer have brought a "fluid and seamless blending" of their instruments to concert stages nationally and internationally. Recent winners of the Artist Presentation Society, the duo seeks to present engaging repertoire that engergizes and uplifts its audiences. The duo have recorded two albums: "Morning by Morning" (2017), a collection of hymns for flute and piano, and "Love's Pure Light" (2020), a Christmas album for flute and piano.

Patrick Rafferty

Classical Guitar

March 19, 2023
9:30am Worship Service

Patrick Rafferty, an active professional guitarist, offers solo and ensemble concerts, guitar lessons and event bookings throughout the Midwest. His solo playing features not only the works of the traditional guitar repertoire but also a wide variety of popular and world musical styles.

As a performer, Patrick has won several competitions and in 2011 he became only the third guitarist in over sixty years to win a top prize in the Artist Presentation Society Auditions in St. Louis, Missouri. Patrick has also been a first prize winner in the Southeast Missouri State University Concerto Competition in 2004 and in the Missouri Music Teachers Association in 2003. In 2021 Patrick was selected as a Featured Artist by the Missouri Arts Council.

"Seven Last Words"

Michael John Trotta

Good Friday - April 7, 2023 at 7:00pm

WGPC Chancel Choir

Michael John Trotta's long-awaited major work, "Seven Last Words," is a seven-movement choral journey through the Passion, which delivers a powerful and captivating story encompassing a breathtaking palette of emotion, from intimate tenderness to majestic triumph. A landmark in its genre, this English setting from an American composer confirms Trotta's presence as a masterful, sensitive, and expressive composer. The work is a rare gem, powerfully emotive and effective in both liturgical and concert settings from an uncompromising and visionary composer of the highest artistry.

Gateway Ringers

St. Louis' premier handbell ensemble

April 23, 2023 at 4:00pm

The Gateway Ringers is an auditioned community choir, composed of handbell ringers from the St. Louis metropolitan area. Our mission is to inspire excellence in musicianship and heighten awareness of handbell music. The group was formed in the fall of 1995. The Gateway Ringers are members of the Handbell Musicians of America (formerly AGEHR) and the Area VIII and national levels. Gateway performs using five octaves of Malmark handbells and six octaves of Malmark Choirchimes.

Terminally Hip

A cappella vocal ensemble

May 21, 2023 at 1:00pm

Terminally Hip is a jazz a cappella quartet featuring singers who have over 150 years of performing experience between them! Their repertoire ranges from jazz standards to contemporary favorites. The four members consist of two music teachers, a church music director, and a professional actor. They have been singing together in various capacities for the past 15 years.