Sundays at 10 am · Details

  36 New Canaan Rd., Wilton, CT 06897  ·   (203) 762-7400  ·       Give

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
  • Visit
    • Welcome
    • What to Expect
    • Service Times
    • Getting Here
  • About Us
    • Welcome from the Rector
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Vestry
    • Calendar
    • Latest News
    • Space Rental
    • Employment
    • Newsletter
  • Worship
    • Online
    • Services
    • Sermons
    • Baptisms
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
    • Ministries
  • Music
    • Church Choir
    • Children's and Youth Choirs
    • Choir Calendars
    • Choir FAQs
    • Our Pipe Organ
    • The Arts at St. Matthew's
  • Children & Youth
    • Sunday Mornings
    • Nursery
    • Youth Group
    • Confirmation
    • Upcoming Events
    • Children's and Youth Choirs
  • Community
    • Parish Life
    • Mission
    • Adult Formation
    • Pastoral Care
    • WEPCO
    • Resources
  • Ways to Give
    • Pledge
    • Stewardship
    • Flowers
    • Endowment - Planned Giving
    • Rector's Discretionary Fund

Choir FAQs

Who is able to join St. Matthew’s choirs?

All of our choirs are open to anyone, regardless of musical experience or faith background. Whoever you are, there is a place for you to sing at St. Matthew’s.


Do I need to be a member of St. Matthew’s congregation in order to sing in choir?

No. We relish meeting new people from outside our community.


Do I need to be a practicing Christian or confirmed Episcopalian to join a choir?

No. Come as you are.


Do I need to know how to sing or read music already?

No. The experience is designed to be accessible to those without a musical background. Furthermore, singing in a choir at St. Matthew’s is an educational experience. You will learn as you go!


What does it cost to participate in one of the choirs?

Nothing. We do not charge a participation fee or “dues” payment because by singing in a choir, you are doing a service to our community.


What do I need in order to participate in one of the choirs?

Enthusiasm, friendliness, and a strong desire to make music.


When are rehearsals?

All the choirs rehearse once a week. Visit either the Children’s and Youth Choirs page or the Church Choir page to find this information. You can also take a look at the choir calendars.


Do the choirs break for holidays?

Yes. The choir year runs from September to June and there are also brief breaks for holidays during the course of the year. Go to the choir calendars page for more information.


How will you keep my child safe?

Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone who walks through our doors. To that end, we follow the guidelines of Safe Church rigorously. Adults who interact with the children’s choirs are thoroughly screened and trained in Safe Church procedures. There are at least two adults on duty chaperoning every choir event.


How will I benefit from the experience?

There are innumerable benefits of singing in a choir, both for children and adults. You will get a first-rate musical experience while having fun and building friendships. This experience has the potential to help empower you, build your self-confidence, and provide you with a skill that will stay with you forever.


How will my brain benefit from the experience?

Children who sing in choirs demonstrate higher academic performance in both mathematics and language arts. Neurologically, their cognitive functions and social skills grow at a faster rate than their non-musical peers (source 1, source 2, source 3). Socially, choral singing allows children to express themselves, relieve stress, and make friends. Even for adults, singing together activates key parts of the brain and alters the release of hormones, making us feel more social, happier, and less stressed (source).


How do I register?

To register your child, fill out this form and return it to Andrew Leslie Cooper, Director of Music Ministries and Organist. New members are welcome at any point in the choir year. New adults can simply turn up to the next Church Choir rehearsal.


Share this page: Choir FAQs
Andrew Leslie Cooper
Director of Music Ministries and Organist

    Andrew Leslie Cooper

    Director of Music Ministries and Organist

    Andrew is a British-American conductor, countertenor and keyboardist who has been active in the professional music spheres on both sides of the Atlantic. In July, 2021, he joined the team at St. Matthew’s and now directs the choirs, runs The Arts at St. Matthew’s and serves as organist for the parish.

    This appointment is Andrew’s third as a music director. Previously, he served at the United Methodist Church of Berea, OH and then Grace Presbyterian Church, Jenkintown, PA. As a freelance singer, Andrew was a permanent member of The Gesualdo Six, the Choir of Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace and the Bach Choir of Holy Trinity, NYC, and a deputy member of Tenebrae, the Voces8 Foundation Choir, TENET, Ensemble Odhecaton, Magnificat and others. Equally passionate about music education, Andrew taught music at The King’s School Rochester—the world’s second oldest school—and The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls in East London.

    During the Coronavirus pandemic, Andrew produced virtual performances online, resulting in a substantial following on social media. His recordings of Pearsall’s Lay a garland, Purcell’s Sound the trumpet, and Tallis’ Spem in alium gathered hundreds of thousands of hits and can be found on YouTube.

    Andrew earned his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, where he was the Graduate Assistant Conductor of the flagship ensemble, Westminster Choir. He is also a proud alumnus of Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory. View his website here.

    Andrew lives in Norwalk with his two adorable cats Archie and Maxie. When not at church, you might find him busy with his latest arts & crafts project or attempting to get better at running.

    Music "Sounds Fun!" St. Matthew's Church Choir Children's and Youth Choirs Choir FAQs Our Pipe Organ The Arts at St. Matthew's

    "Sounds Fun!"

    This summer, send your kids to "Sounds Fun!" summer musi...

    Read More »

    Good Friday Devotional Concert

    Friday, April 15 at 7:00pm Admission: free-will offerin...

    Read More »

    Compline in Lent

    Join us virtually for the service of Compline, every Tue...

    Read More »

    Musical highlights this Christmas

    What sweeter music can we bring, Than a carol, for to s...

    Read More »

    Christmas services at St. Matt's In Person and Online

    Christmas Eve: Friday, December 24th 3:30pm Prelud...

    Read More »


    St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
    36 New Canaan Rd., Wilton, CT 06897
    (203) 762-7400

      View Entire Post

    Service Times

    Sundays at 10 am

    Holy Eucharist Rite II
    Church School & Nursery Care during worship


    Location

    St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
    36 New Canaan Rd.
    Wilton, CT 06897

    Contact Us
    (203) 762-7400

    Newsletter Signup

    Visit What to Expect Service Times Getting Here

    St Matthew’s is a community of disciples and we are on a journey together. We are called to participate in God’s mission. We learn and dream, worship and pray, laugh, cry and serve together. St. Matt’s is a place where we learn about God and learn to be disciples. It’s a place to call home. A place to belong. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome.

    As you reach the doors to St. Matthew’s Church you will be greeted by a member of our church. Feel free to ask questions and sign in at our Visitors Book located on your left side just past the name tag table. You will be handed a bulletin as you walk into the sanctuary so you can fully participate in the service if you want. Come as you are! No dress code required.

    If you need childcare services, please ask your Greeter for direction.

    Sundays at 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
    A quiet, informal service held around the Altar

    Sundays at 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II with choir & organ (September–June)
    Church School & Nursery Care during worship

    Summer (July and August): Sundays at 10:00 am (click here for details)

    Learn More

    We are located at 36 New Canaan Road in Wilton. After you park your car, walk ahead through the walkway to the courtyard, and we our sanctuary is located on the left side of the complex.

    Our parish office is located in the middle building connecting St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Wilton Presbyterian Church, and you can enter through the door marked Parish Office in the courtyard.

    Directions
    Stewardship Pledge Flowers Endowment/Planned Giving Rector's Discretionary Fund

    “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you” (1 Chronicles 29:14, NRSV)

    Many Episcopalians know this line of scripture because we say it in our Eucharistic liturgy every week. It reflects our deepest understanding of thanksgiving and stewardship - God gives us everything! When we give to God, others, and the church, we are really giving back what is originally a gift from God. We are all stewards of the resources, abilities, and opportunities that God has entrusted to our care, and s caretakers of these gifts, we support our church and God’s mission by using our time, our skills, and our financial resources.

    Donate Now Learn More about Giving

    A pledge is a spiritual promise, a commitment to the life of a faith community, a commitment to which God calls each one of us. Pledges help with orderly financial planning and they make possible all the programming and fellowship that we enjoy together, including: children’s and youth ministries, music, building operations and maintenance, clergy and staff compensation, mission engagement, fellowship, and much more. YOU are the heart of St. Matthew's. Your generous gift makes all of our programming possible.

    Make a Pledge Pay 2021 Pledge Pay 2022 Pledge

    It is the tradition of St. Matthew’s to use fresh flowers at our altar every Sunday for worship as well as other special occasions. Prepared by our Flower Guild, you may sponsor the flowers on a date of your choosing in memory of a loved one, in thanksgiving, or other purpose for a suggested donation of $75. Those named in memory or in thanksgiving are also included in the prayers of the people on that Sunday. Following worship, our Petal Pushers deliver the flowers to members or friends of St. Matthew’s, bringing our prayers from our altar to their home.

    Flower Donations

    Healthy and vibrant future ministries at St. Matthew’s will be built upon the legacies we leave today. Many of our Episcopal institutions exist because past generations cared so much about the future of the Episcopal Church and expressed their caring by creating planned gifts. Planned giving is a ministry that is vital because it can help ensure the future of our church, but also because it offers you the opportunity to make a final testament about the importance of your Christian faith. Find some ideas how you might give from the Episcopal Church Foundation.

    Title III, Canon 9, Section 6(b6), of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church (2015) is generally interpreted to mean that, at a minimum of one Sunday a month, the loose offering at the Holy Eucharist is designated for the clergy discretionary fund. Congregations may wish to set aside a budgeted amount for the discretionary fund in addition to or as a substitute for the above method. Congregations may designate that all fees or gifts received for weddings, funerals, and baptisms are contributed to the discretionary fund. Individuals may also contribute to the fund with occasional gifts.

    Rector Discretionary Fund