Music at All Saints'
Members of the parish regularly share their musical gifts as guest instrumentalists and choral conductors.
The word to describe music at All Saints' is "eclectic." As a parish, we are willing to try almost any style of music. We explore songs from cultures other than our own, while not neglecting the rich musical heritage of the Anglican church. And we are a singing congregation; there are five or six hymns most Sunday mornings. Hymns are chosen from The Hymnal 1982, the current Episcopal hymnal, from Lift Every Voice and Sing II, an African-American Episcopal hymnal supplement, and from a variety of other sources of recent music.
We have an old but reliable pipe organ (with a "new" console, which should make it much more reliable than in recent experience) and a piano in the sanctuary; both are used to accompany choir and congregational singing. Members of the parish regularly share their musical gifts as guest instrumentalists and choral conductors.
Choirs
Two all-volunteer choirs lead our Sunday morning music. There are no choir auditions, and prior experience and music-reading ability are not necessary (but they are helpful). All singers should be able to match a pitch played on the piano and feel confident about carrying a tune.
Music at the 9:00 service is led by a small adult choir that is joined by the All Ages Choir on the second Sunday of each month. This small group practices at 8:00 am each Sunday and is an opportunity for sight readers and confident small ensemble or solo singers. This group does not attend the Wednesday night rehearsal except in preparation for two-choir occasions: Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints' Day.
In the fall of 2005 we started an All Ages Choir that sings on the second Sunday of the month at the 9:00 am worship service. This group practices the day before it sings, on the second Saturday of each month. The choir consists of children aged 5 and up, parents or other adults who accompany them, and other adults who prefer a once-a-month commitment.
The 11:00 choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:45-9:00 pm and on Sunday mornings at 10:00 before the 11:00 service. The 8:00 am inclusive language Eucharist on Sunday mornings does not usually include music.
Musical Highlights
Some musical highlights of our year: a fairly traditional Advent Lessons and Carols service that is followed by neighborhood Christmas caroling and supper; 
a festive All Saints' Day/Day of the Dead celebration when we process and dance to the music of a New Orleans-style brass band; a multi-media contemporary Good Friday service, an outdoor Palm Sunday procession led by African drummers, and a candlelight Easter Vigil blending ancient and contemporary music with the stories of our faith.
Taize
During Advent and Lent we hold Wednesday evening prayer services in the style of the TaizÈ community in France. These are candlelight services with sung and spoken prayers, scripture readings, and meditation. The 7:00 pm services are led by lay people, including singers and instrumentalists.
Bell Ringing
There is no organized bell choir, but we have a set of tone chimes that are played by choir members, volunteer ringers, and the congregation. We have been experimenting with Christmas carols, hymns, and service music accompanied by chimes played from the pews by ringers of all ages.
Interested in Participating?
Please contact Margaret McCamant, our music director, at margaret@allsaintschicago.org if you are interested in participating in any of the musical activities at All Saints'.