Music at St. James
Music is central to worship at St. James. Our priest, the choir, and the congregation are all highly attuned to the value that music brings to our services. We strive to achieve the highest quality music weekly. While each member of the congregation has his or her own taste in music, we hope that we provide something for everyone whenever possible. At St. James, the music program draws on Episcopal traditions, European classical music (from medieval chant to contemporary composers), gospel styles, Christian pop, and American music. Music in church has an entertainment value but it also helps us reflect more deeply on our spirituality.
St. James has a 13-rank Odell tracker organ and a Baldwin grand piano in the sanctuary. Preludes and postludes include masterworks by J.S. Bach, 19th century French organ music, and contemporary piano arrangements of hymns.
The music program has flourished under the dedicated and professional guidance of our current music director, Dr. Michael Mulder. Mike has been the organist at St. James since 2007 and the choir director since 2013. He has been performing music in churches since he played regularly in his parents’ church as a teenager in Las Vegas. Michael also teaches band in the Bedford Central School District at both Mount Kisco and Pound Ridge Elementary Schools. He has enjoyed a wide variety of roles throughout his professional life including composer (classical, musical theater, and children’s music), university-level music instructor, pianist on the Las Vegas Strip, and author of articles in several specialized music periodicals. Michael was born in El Paso, Texas and has lived in ten states and Canada. But he has spent the last 22 years in New York. Mike holds the following degrees: a doctorate in composition (University of Toronto), a master’s degree in piano performance (University of Nevada, Las Vegas), a master’s degree in music history (University of Michigan), a master’s degree in Education and Supervision (Baruch College), and a bachelor’s degree in music history (University of Colorado, Boulder).
Friends of St. James Music
Friends of St. James Music was established to support and supplement the parish’s music program. It has provided financial support for the special instrumental music at Christmas and Easter and sponsorship for various concerts throughout the year. Being a Friend is easy. All that is required is to come and enjoy the concert and services, bring your friends and make a modest financial contribution. Simply make a contribution identified as for the Friends of Music. Your support will be greatly appreciated and help make the musical offerings special.
Village Hall Concerts
The concert series at St. James Episcopal Church presents six diverse performances spanning various genres throughout the year at the Village Hall. Dr. Michael Mulder, music director, leads the beloved annual Christmas concert. Academy of Sacred Drama, the ensemble in residence, presents two oratorios each year that are part music and part theater. The series is rounded out by talented guest ensembles that present concerts featuring music from the classical and baroque repertoire, folk music, and musical crossover genres. Originally known as St. James Concert Series, the series has been renamed to Village Hall Concerts. This change reflects our desire to communicate that the gift of music we offer at St. James is a treasure for the entire community.