Music
Music plays an intentional and meaningful role in the life of Freemason Street.
In worship, it is purposefully designed to reflect our community’s effort to seek spiritual depth and divine interaction. Our choices musically seek to avoid oversimplified theology and superficial listening and singing experiences. God’s majesty, mystery, grace, spirit, complexity, and beauty as well as humankind’s diversity of experience and expression is enthusiastically explored through music from a diversity of centuries, nations and languages.
There is an array of opportunities for participation in the many ensembles listed below!
The principal ensemble of the church is the Adult Choir. Anchored by a professional core, the choir sings throughout the calendar year, leading worship music for the congregation and singing a rich catalogue of finely crafted music, reflective of the depth, complexity and beauty of the Creator. From Brahms, Lauridsen, Mozart, Beethoven and Bernstein to Spirituals, the choir’s skillful evocation of the spirit through singing has become a hallmark of our worship.
The Handbell Choir chimes every Sunday in worship, and occasionally presents special music. Comprised principally of our church’s youth, this vibrant group has long been a part of the fabric of Freemason Street’s worship experience.
In addition to the music which fills the air inside our building, we are also blessed to have in our steeple a set of authentic, vintage Tower Chimes which ring to the entire surrounding community. Mounted in the church steeple just one level below the chimes themselves, the chimestand is rarely seen by anyone other than individuals who play them (our principal player is friend of Freemason Street, Sean Bilby). Individuals who would like to see the bell tower mechanism or to learn to ring the bells at Freemason Street should contact the church.
Our principal Keyboard Artist is Dr. Andrey Kasparov, also a recognized classical musician in Hampton Roads. Dr. Kasparov’s continued success as a recording artist and international touring performer are reflections of the skill and insight he brings to his service at Freemason Street. At the organ and the piano, Andrey’s musicianship invites immersion and inspiration.
Our Director of Youth Instrumental Music is Billy Batte, whose vast and varied performance experience informs his leadership of our young players. A skilled violinist and arranger, Billy routinely creates custom pieces for the Handbell Choir, and he is a key part of our leadership at Freemason Street.
For more information on any of these programs, please contact the church!
