Dear Friend of Music,

As St. Peter's Director of Music, I am inviting you to support the fine tradition of music making we have at St. Peter’s Church, both in our worship services and in concerts and special events.

The St. Cecilia Guild — named for St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music — is  vital to the continued health and excellence of our music program. A very substantial portion of the annual music program costs are covered by fundraising by the St. Cecilia Guild, and the parish relies on the Guild contribution to fund the program. I invite you to add your support by joining the Guild!

There is much work to do. We rely on additional paid musicians at the 10:30 Sunday service, including four paid choral scholars and instrumentalists. We offer a uniquely Anglican musical heritage in our worship that is unequaled on the Eastern Shore.

The need is particularly great this year. Unfortunately, we did not reach our goals last year. With cutbacks across the parish budget, the 2024 music budget was decreased by $7,000.

In particular, this year will see the return of Handel's "Messiah" on December 22, with professional soloists and orchestra. That event will be funded primarily by the Guild, as well as donations from local businesses.

The Choir School of the Eastern Shore was restarted on a small scale in March, and we will make a major membership push in August and September.

There will be many other events such as Advent Lessons and Carols and Choral Evensong. I hope you will make every effort to attend whether you are able to support the Guild or not.

Please support music at St. Peter’s by joining the Guild. Click the buttons on the left to download a membership brochure and to pay dues online, or simply contact me at jamesw@stpeterschurch.net.

I look forward to making music with you all!

James M. Wallace, M.Mus., Director of Music