Hradetsky Tracker Organ

The organ you are hearing today was installed and voiced to the interior of St. Paul's in 1979 by designer and builder, Gerhard Hradetzky, founder of Orgelbau in Oberbergen, Austria. He was chosen because of his reputation for excellent craftsmanship and experience building instruments of this type. The youngest member of a family of generations of organ builders, he started working with his father in his youth, and then apprenticed with the great German organ builder, Rudolf von Beckerath.

Mr. Hradetzky built the organ at his shop in Austria, where he also built the loft railing of the same blond oak as the organ case. The instrument consists of 60,000 individually handcrafted parts. It is a modern mechanical action instrument with two keyboards for the hands one pedal keyboard. It contains over 2000 pipes and exemplifies the standard of excellence in tracker organ building for which Mr. Hradetzky is so highly respected. The current Director of Music at St. Paul's, David Johnson, is quick to tell anyone who asks that the instrument has literally had nothing go wrong with it besides tuning issues in the 26 years he has been at St. Paul's; an enviable record.

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you,he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

Music

Music has always been an important and much valued part of life at St. Paul’s. The adult choir, under the direction of our Director of Music, is active in leading and enhancing the spiritual life of the parish, especially Eucharistic worship. St. Paul’s choir is accompanied by a small orchestra at special times – Christmas, Easter and Music Sunday. The services of Holy Week allow for special and sometimes unusual musical enhancement. Harpsichord and piano sometimes accompany choral offerings.

St. Paul’s Choir

The Adult Choir is open to those of high school age and up. It is an eclectic group – all ages, ranges of ability and time constraints. A professional singer leads each section. The choir sings every Sunday September – May with some extra services during the Lent and Christmas seasons. The choir rehearses on Sundays from 9:00 – 9:45am, sings for the 10:00am Eucharist and then rehearses again from 11:30 – I:00pm. There are opportunities for individuals who cannot attend every rehearsal to sing when they can.