In the Beauty of Holiness

The music ministry of Saint Martin’s Church serves as the musical heart of Sunday worship. The Chancel Choir sings most frequently at the 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist from September to May. The ministry also incorporates instrumentalists who play flute, brass, harp, violin and other instruments.

Special offerings of choral music are made in the seasons of Advent and Christmas, as well as on Ash Wednesday, Holy Week and at Easter. Choral presentations often include solos, duets and trios. The repertoire is classical and classical-contemporary with an emphasis on supporting the congregational singing from the Episcopal Hymnal 1982.

The Saint Martin’s Chancel Choir seeks to glorify God by offering a variety of worship music in the classical and choral tradition. The choir participates in the Eucharistic services of the church, mainly in the 10 a.m. gathering each Sunday from September through May. The choir also supports holy day services, including Christmas Eve, Seasonal Lessons and Carols, Ash Wednesday and Holy Week services, and an occasional community evensong.

As a worship leadership group, membership in the choir is open to those who are eager to work together, grow and learn, forming a sense of community both musically and spiritually. Our choir is a hard-working and caring. Our mission is always to bring the people of God closer to God through music.

ORGANIST        Brother Gary Jeriha, OFM, is our organist and interim choir director. From 2011-2021, Brother Gary was Organist, pianist and music director in Sacred Heart Parish in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also served as Liturgical musician at Saint Peter’s Church in Chicago, Illinois from 2000-2011. Prior to that, from 1993-1999, he was the Organist, pianist and music director in Sacred Heart Parish in St. Paul, Minnesota. His educational background includes a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois from 1988-1992, a Master of Arts in organ performance from Western Illinois University from 1978-1980 and a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University from 1973-1976. In 2020-21 he was on sabbatical to concentrate on piano studies, both classical and jazz. Gary is a member of the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscans, and now lives in community in Cleveland. He joined us at Saint Martin’s in October 2021.

Saint Martin’s is steward to fine musical instruments. Two of the most prominent are the organ and grand piano.

In a description from the time of its installation: “The Saint Martin’s-Miles Park pipe organ was originally designed by Walter Holtkamp, Sr. and built by the Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling Organ Company in 1934. It was given to Saint Martin’s by Miles Park Presbyterian Church and moved, refurbished, modernized and installed by The Holtkamp Organ Company of Cleveland in 2001. It retains the electro-pneumatic action and most of the original 1200 pipes in 26 ranks with 21 stops. During the renovation two new ranks were added. It now has 1551 pipes in 28 ranks with 23 stops, and continues to be consistent with the baroques organ design principles and sound advocated by its original builder.  The addition of the Zymbalstern is a delight to all.”  For more information on the organ, click on:  http://www.holtkamporgan.com/Pages/Item/123/ar_1041.aspx

In a remembrance about the memorial gift of the piano: “The Yamaha baby grand piano was given by the Marshall family after John’s death in 1987. Mary died in March 2014 at the age of 98. Their only child Thomas is still a member of Saint Martin’s. The Marshalls were founding members of the church. Anyone lucky enough to know the Marshalls knew them as very loving, generous, sharing, funny, quirky and any other loving adjective you would use for a beloved family.”

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