Music & The Arts

Music Ministry

The Music Ministry here at St. George Episcopal Church warmly welcomes all members, regardless of musical skill or experience. Whether you're a seasoned musician or someone who simply loves to sing, there's a place for you here. Our ministry embraces a spirit of inclusivity and joy, offering an opportunity to grow musically while enjoying fellowship with others. Together, we make beautiful music and lift our voices in praise to the Lord, finding both spiritual and communal fulfillment. Most importantly, we have fun, fostering a sense of unity as we celebrate and share God's love through song. The St. George Music Ministry engages the core values of our community in worship by supporting the liturgy of worship with music that speaks to our diverse congregation. We utilize our time and varied talents to bring the healing power of music to our community through our shared walk as members of the body of Christ.

The Music Ministry here at St. George consists of a volunteer adult choir, which rehearses weekly after services on Sundays, a Children’s choir which rehearses before services on Sundays and our “Stream Team” which is made up of our staff Music Leadership. Between the three groups that we have, we work hard to find a balance of traditional and contemporary music, so that everyone has music that speaks to them. As the saying goes, “Those who sing, pray twice!” For more information, please feel free to contact Shannon Earle.

The St. George Music Ministry serves as a vibrant expression of our church's values, fostering connection within our community and celebrating the diversity of our congregation. Through a wide range of musical styles, we strive to reach and engage everyone, creating a worship experience that is inclusive and meaningful. By sharing our varied talents and embracing the transformative power of music, we aim to inspire hearts, deepen faith, and bring the gift of music into every aspect of worship, uniting us in praise and purpose.

Our Music Ministry continues to thrive with the leadership of our "stream team" and the dedication of our Adult Choir as our two primary offerings. The stream team began the year with Shannon Eare, Keith Earle, Brooke Holyoak, and Mary Marinesi on vocals; Vivienne Spy on piano and organ; Craig Loeffler and Dub Hankins on guitar; and Bernadette Williams on cello. The Music Ministry also encourages young, talented musicians to come and share their talents in praising the Lord. Bella Mazuca (bassist), Ana Victoria Lizaragua (violin), and Lily & Scarlett Earle joined the streaming team to provide special performances during the worship services.

As the year progressed, we were blessed with the addition of Elle Bishop and Alex Malacara, who brought their wonderful voices and technical expertise to the team. However, we also experienced changes within our group. First, Mary Marinesi transitioned out of her permanent position with us due to a move. Next, Bernadette Williams stepped into new roles within the church, becoming Director of Children’s Music Ministry and Community Partnerships & Fine Arts Coordinator, and this led her to take some well-deserved time off from the stream team. Another significant change for our music ministry this year was Shannon Earle taking on a new role as Director of Music Ministry. Through these transitions, our Music Ministry remains committed to its mission of uplifting worship through the power of music.

Adult Choir

Our Adult Choir is a deeply devoted and loyal group of singers who find joy in praising and worshiping together, lifting their voices in fellowship and faith. Week to week, we are blessed with the dedication of 10-13 members, and when everyone is present, we have a robust group of 19 active members. This past year brought some transitions, as a few members stepped away due to health concerns, personal matters, or simply needing time off. While we miss their presence, they remain an integral part of our choir family and are always welcome to return. This year, we were delighted to welcome Christine Joy and Alex Malacara to the choir and to see Lindsay Jenks rejoin us. The choir continues to enhance worship each week with a choral anthem, meeting weekly for rehearsal and faithfully supporting our services. In addition to their weekly contributions, the choir participates in cherished annual events, including a Pops concert, an Advent celebration concert, and the much-anticipated Lessons and Carols.

Children’s Choir

The Children’s Choir continues to touch the congregation's hearts with their angelic voices, singing every month during worship services. This year, we opened the choir to children of all ages, offering a fun opportunity to learn new songs, musical games, and rhythms. Throughout the year, they performed a variety of African songs, even learning new words in the Siwali language. Our choir currently has 12 members, and we would love to see more children join us!

Fine Arts Ministry

The Fine Arts Series at St George is a platform where we use the gift of art with the purpose of bringing our community together to convey impressions and messages on a more emotional level. To bring this emotional level to our community, St. George is honored to host a regular recital from the Pearl Trio, an ensemble of fine professional musicians from the San Antonio Philharmonic Orchestra. Another content is the famous St. George Pops concert, where a theme is developed through choir and instrumental performances. As one with the school, our members have the privilege to explore and enjoy the beautiful arts exposition of the students.

Pops Concert

The 2024 Pops concert theme, "Breaking the Glass Ceiling – Celebrating Women Through Music," honored the resilience and achievements of women in music throughout history. We curated a program featuring music composed by, about, or dedicated to women, highlighting themes of empowerment and the barriers women have overcome in the musical world. Spanning from the 1800s to contemporary pieces, the concert showcased the depth and diversity of women’s contributions to music. Adding a personal touch, the talented women in our ministry shared program notes about each piece, which were also provided to the audience. While we are incredibly proud of this concert, which we believe was one of our best, attendance was lower than hoped. Moving forward, we are considering alternative dates and times to better accommodate our audience. We were pleased to raise $90 for Magdalena House through this event, further aligning our music ministry with meaningful outreach and support.

Advent Celebration Concert

The St. George Church Choir, the St. George 3rd-5th Grade Christmas Choir, and Mrs. Williams' Strings Studio came together to kick off the Advent and Christmas season with a heartwarming concert on December 12th. Held in the parish hall, the event was met with a packed house of smiling faces from our school and church community, all eager to welcome the season. The church choir, under the direction of Shannon Earle and Brooke Holyoak, performed three beautiful songs, setting a festive and reverent tone. Mrs. Williams' strings studio followed with two stunning instrumental pieces, showcasing their talent and dedication. The evening concluded joyfully with Mrs. Earle’s 3rd-5th Grade Christmas Choir, who delighted the audience with songs and dances full of holiday cheer. It was a truly joyful way to usher in the season, bringing our community together in celebration.

Lessons and Carols

This year's Lessons and Carols struck the perfect balance in length, creating an enjoyable and meaningful experience for everyone. For six weeks, the choir and stream team dedicated themselves to preparing a mix of both traditional and new pieces, under the shared direction of Shannon Earle and Brooke Holyoak. A heartfelt thank you goes to Vivienne Spy for her exceptional artistry on piano and organ, which added so much to the service. We also extend a special thanks to the lectors whose readings brought the story to life—your contributions are essential to this collaborative worship. As is tradition, the service concluded with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, a joyous moment made even more special by the entire congregation joining in song. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our congregation, which enables our music ministry to flourish.