MUSIC
Music is a vital part of our worship and helps us express the inexpressible through the God-given gift of song. Through congregational hymns, psalmody, instrumental music, and choral offerings, we raise our prayers and praise to our Creator. Please see our dropdown "Music" menu for more specific information on Christ Church musical offerings such as choirs and our instruments.
Upcoming Events​
Crossing the Alps is an early music trio tour based out of Christ Episcopal Church. Musicians include our Director of Music on harpsichord and organ, as well as baroque violinist from Japan, Toshi Amano, and baroque cellist from New York City, Oliver Weston. The trio will perform at three locations in North Carolina the second week of December, including New Bern, Wilmington, and Durham. With music by German and Italian composers, this program embodies the idea of exchange amongst musicians, whether it's the exchange of musical ideas or of the musicians themselves, i.e. travelling. J.S Bach's Passacaglia & fugue will be played on the organ, as well as Corelli's famous Sonata for violin in D major. The performance at Christ Church is Wednesday, December 11th at 6:00 pm. Free and open to the public.
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The annual Christmas Carol Sing-along will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, in conjunction with New Bern's December Artwalk. Two identical caroling sessions will be held: one from 6:00 - 6:40 pm, and the second from 7:00 - 7:40 pm. Starting with jazzy Christmas tunes on the piano, attendees will have the chance to sing along with traditional and popular Christmas carols accompanied by the organ and the piano. Each session will conclude with fun and exciting Christmas music on the new organ.
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Our traditional Advent Lessons & Carols is scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm in the nave. This beautiful service features choral music from the Anglican tradition and especially this year the music of John Rutter. The new organ will also be featured in the long postlude (almost an organ concert!) following the conclusion of the service. The choir will be accompanied by a string quartet and the Handbells will also play one piece.
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Christ Episcopal Church has a wonderful tradition of a 30-minute Christmas Eve Chorale Prelude leading up to the 11:00 pm service. Starting at 10:30 pm in the nave, listeners will have a chance to hear classic Christmas choral works sung by the choir and traditional voluntaries played on the new organ. This beautiful musical moment before the service is a lovely prelude to the final Christmas Eve service at Christ Church.