Choral Evensong To Celebrate The Ministry Of Dick Gilchrist

RIDGEFIELD — The St Stephens Choir and its Minister of Music, Dr Kristin Sponheim, wishing to celebrate and honor the ministry of the Rev John R. Gilchrist, will join with him in a service of Choral Evensong on Saturday, June 21, at 6 pm. Rev Gilchrist, who has been rector of St Stephen’s since July 1990, will retire later this month.

Sung every evening in many of the cathedrals and churches of Great Britain and the United States, Evensong gives thanks to God for the day and offers up prayer for protection for the coming night.

First published in The Book of Common Prayer in 1549, Evensong was the young Anglican Church’s answer to the Roman Catholic Vespers and Compline, and created to serve a similar purpose –– to turn away from the busy day just past and find stillness and serenity in the approaching evening.

Written in English rather than Latin to make the office or service more understandable to the people, Evensong continued to be revised and rewritten over the century following. The version used most often today dates from 1662.

Evensong comprises Bible readings, psalms, prayers, an anthem, and two canticles (liturgical songs set to Biblical texts). The canticles most often performed are the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis. The psalms are typically sung in a style called Anglican chant, which differs most obviously from the more ancient Gregorian chant in its rich use of harmony.

For its June 21 Evensong, the St Stephen’s choir will be performing the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis of Herbert Sumsion.

The Evensong anthem is “Stay With Us” by Egil Hovland (1924–). Organist and choirmaster at the church of Glemmen in the city of Fredrikstad, Norway. Mr Hovland studied composition with Aaron Copland, among others, and was made a Knight of the Royal Order of St Olav in 1983 in recognition of his contributions as performer and composer.

The choir will sing Sir John Goss’s setting of Psalm 87; and John Bertalot’s setting of Psalm 90.

The Evensong Service will be introduced by Roger Authers playing a selection of organ compositions by Alec Wyton, his four preludes based on the hymn tunes “Wondrous Love,” “Restoration,” “St Columba,” and “Holy Manna.”

Mr Authers will also play Healey Willan’s Chorale Prelude on A Melody by Melchior Vulpius, the hymn tune “Gelobt Sei Gott,” for the postlude.

Congregational singing of hymns completes the service. Evensong will last approximately 45 minutes.

All are welcome. The church is at 351 Main Street (Route 35). Call 203-438-8653 or 203-438-3789 for additional information.