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.

Richard Bruxvoort Colligan

Psalm-based Songs
October 1, 2023
9:30am Worship Service

Richard Bruxvoort Colligan desires adventurous and imaginative music for the church. As a full-time composer and musician, he serves across denominations teaching about music and spiritual formation. Known for hymn forms, simple chant and pop-rock arrangements, he has several albums of original worship music. Richard is currently immersed in a long-term study of the Psalms. He is the owner of Worldmaking.net, and his songs have been published by the ELCA, UMC, UCC and PCUSA.

Stony Hill Brass Quintet

WGPC Artists in Residence
September 10, 2023
November 19, 2023
February 11, 2024
March 24, 2024
9:30am Worship Service

We welcome back the Stony Hill Brass Quintet for a second season as “Artists in Residence”. They will be part of four festive worship experiences through the course of the season. Members, Robert Sousa, Dawn Weber, Steve Hanrahan, Matt Frederickson and Jeremy Knudtson can be found in orchestras throughout the St. Louis region (The Fabulous Fox, Muny, solo concerts) and beyond.

Intercultural Music Initiative Series

Amanda Collins, horn
Rachel AuBuchon, piano
IMI Chamber Players
October 8, 2023
3:00pm Concert

Once again, the WGPC Music Ministries collaborates with IMI for an unforgettable music experience. This concert will feature the St. Louis premiere of a newly commissioned work, “Suite for Horn and Piano” with drummer and dancer. Special guests include: The Arch String Ensemble and Jahfi Dance Studio. The Intercultural Music Initiative (IMI) is an innovative concert and educational outreach program highlighting contemporary works by lesser-known composers, along with standard repertoire. IMI often partners with a growing community of interculturally minded artists and educators from around the globe with emphasis on works by composers of color.

St. Louis Metro Singers

"Our Christmas Spirit Rejoices"
November 26, 2023
7:00pm Concert

WGPC is rehearsal home for the St. Louis Metro Singers and we are privileged to host their first concert of the Christmas season. Under the direction of WGPC Music Director/Organist Shawn Portell this year’s Christmas concert will feature “Taylor Scott Davis’s "Magnificat" along with other holiday favorites! You will have the opportunity to join in a Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long to close out the evening! The first half of each concert this season is given in memory of WGPC member and SLMS Friend of Music, Clair Bellows.

Festival of Lesson and Carols

"Christmas Cantata" - David von Kampen
December 17, 2023
9:30am Worship Service

Once again, the WGPC Chancel Choir and Glendale Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir with orchestra collaborate in a stirring Festival of Lessons and Carols. Featured work this year includes David von Kampen’s “Christmas Cantata” as well as additional carols of the season. David von Kampen (b. 1986) is a composer and teacher from Lincoln, Nebraska. Composed in 2019, this 5-movement Cantata sets texts from the German hymnodist Paul Gerhardt in addition to passages from Isaiah and John. These settings deliberately avoid particularly “Christmassy” sounds, instead focusing on pairing these sturdy sacred texts with new melodies, interesting harmony, and colorful, supportive string accompaniment.

The Way of Jesus

A Hymn Festival in Word and Song about Jesus' Mission
Composed by Hal Hopson
March 3, 2024
9:30am Worship Service

During the middle of Lent our WGPC Chancel Choir will lead us in a truly unique experience in hymn singing. The congregation and choir sing ten hymns from various Christian traditions Some of the hymns included are “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want,” and “Go, My Children, with My Blessing.” The narration leads us down “the way” teaching us that the way of Jesus: leads us to praise and thanksgiving; to the water; to true discipleship; to love; from darkness to light; to claim God’s loving care; to wholeness; to eat with Him; to eternal life and to give ourselves in service to others.

Jim Mayhew

Native American Flute
April 21, 2024
Earth Sunday Celebraion
9:30am Worship Service

Experience Earth Sunday with the “earthy tonalities” of the Native American Flute. Jim Mayhew has been playing and teaching the flute for nearly half a century learning about the flute and musicianship at the Armed Forces School of Music and during his years as an Army Bandsman.

He studied flute under two members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra while earning degrees in Music and History from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. While working as a Park Ranger at the Gateway Arch, he learned about and gave presentations about the Native American Flute and has now recorded and produced three CDs and a book of music for the Native American Flute. Featured will be the “Sonata for Native American Flute and Piano” by Joseph Johnson.

The Jeff Connection

Barbershop Quintet singing Hymns and Gospel Songs
May 19, 2024
9:30am Worship Service

Part of the Spirit of St. Louis Chorus – St. Louis #1 Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, in 2010, chorus director Jim Raspberry decided to create a quartet of chapter members who would like to practice together for an hour before weekly chorus rehearsals. After much hard work, they have created a flexible repertoire of barbershop songs. Their specialty are gospel and sacred songs. They are fortunate to be asked to sing at church services and events all over Jefferson County, which is the origin of the name of their quartet.