Sundays at 10 am · Details

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

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
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Chorister program

St. Matthew’s has a place for every child who wishes to sing in choir. The three divisions of our Chorister program provide a first-rate musical education in a friendly, fun, and safe environment. These choirs are a vital part of our worship, and their music enriches the whole community. Each of these choirs rehearses once a week and then meets on the Sundays they are called to provide musical leadership at the 10:00am service.

All of our choirs are completely free and are open to anyone, regardless of musical experience or faith background. The choir year runs from September to June, but new members are welcome at any point. To register, click the button below and return the form to Andrew Leslie Cooper, Director of Music Ministries and Organist.

Registration form


Cherubs

Kindergarten

Rehearsals: Tuesdays 4:00–4:45pm. Staff & chaperones will be present earlier for anyone arriving early from school.

This group offers children their first pathway into the joy of singing. Collectively, they discover how to find their singing voices and how to join them together to produce a beautiful tone. Using simple songs, they are introduced to the written language of music and how to read it, as well as the fundamentals of healthy singing technique. Alongside this learning, they have plenty of opportunity for play and socializing. The Cherubs spend the first few months of the choir year learning the basics. From there, they participate in approximately once service per month.

Junior Choristers

Grades 1 & 2

Rehearsals on Thursdays 4:00–4:45pm. Staff & chaperones will be present earlier for anyone arriving early from school or other activity.

Building on the skills they began as Cherubs, Junior Choristers spend two years deepening their understanding of music, what it means to be a Chorister, and their role in the Church. As they continue to hone their musical skills, Junior Choristers advance their literacy of written music and deepen their understanding of vocal technique. The complexity of their repertoire gradually increases, and this challenge offers them musical and personal growth. In addition, they begin to participate more in worship, helping lead the Sunday service music once or twice per month.

Senior Choristers

Grades 3–8

Rehearsals on Thursdays 5:00–6:00pm.

This group comprises a range of ages, and therefore offers a rich social atmosphere. As Senior Choristers, these children have the important task of leading worship through music most Sunday mornings at 10:00am. Spending these formative years carrying out this duty in the church can empower them, ignite valuable self-confidence and maturity, and nurture a lifelong love of music. At the same time, they have fun and build friendships. The years they spend as a Chorister offer them a formidable musical education. As part of this training, we rely on the RSCM’s Voice for Life scheme. As Choristers pass through the various levels of this program, they are awarded medals to wear with their choir robes.


Choir FAQs

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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.

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    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 Children & Youth 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.

    Welcome from the Rector

    At St. Matthew’s, we are committed to cultivating a faith-filled space that warmly welcomes all, as we seek to grow in our knowledge, love and pursuit of Jesus and his way, together. We believe our Children and Youth, rooted in Christ, are equipped to start leaving their mark in our communities and across the world.

    Learn More

    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
    Give Now Pledge Flowers Amazon Smile 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 2022 Pledge Pay 2023 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

    Your Amazon purchases can help to support St. Matthew's! For eligible purchases at AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to St. Matthew's!

    How to Set Up Amazon Smile

    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