Quality of Music used in Worship is one of the most
distinguishing features of Good Shepherd.
For many years, the parish has devoted significant time, energy
and resources to build an exceptional music program. The music
presented at each service, both instrumental and choral, is thus
consistently respectful and inspirational — an essential
part of our worship. The parish choir performs a classic
repertoire of sacred music from the Renaissance to the present
day with special emphasis on the English choral tradition.
Among our parishioners are several respected members of
Greater Boston's professional music community, and those
individuals, from time to time, share their musical gifts to
enrich our worship services and social events.
The Good Shepherd Parish Choir is a small, well balanced, and carefully trained ensemble dedicated to supporting our worship through hymns, anthems, plainsong and Anglican chant, and other service music. Currently, the choir comprises a mix of professional and volunteer members. We welcome new members who have basic music reading skills and the desire to work cooperatively within this disciplined choral group. Those interested in singing with the choir, either as a volunteer or as a professional, should contact the church office.
Regular Service and Rehearsal Times: The choir typically sings at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Sung Eucharist each week (except during late June, July and August), as well as at evening services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Eve, and Christmas Eve. Other services such as Choral Evensong and Benediction are scheduled as occasions arise. Rehearsals begin at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday, with rare special rehearsals.
The Collins Organ is a two manual tracker action pipe organ,
installed in the chancel of Good Shepherd in 1996. It is used to
accompany hymns and is especially effective in organ music from
the German Baroque masters Bach and Buxtehude to the 20th century
French organ works of Dupre and Messiaen.
Dedicated on Pentecost 1995, this organ was built by the well-known
English organ builder, Peter Collins (of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire,
England), who has built organs for a number of prominent English
and Scottish churches. The organ has a non-identical twin located
in the music studio of Mr. Kenneth Ryder, Organist of the Parish
Church of Saint Peter Mancroft, Norwich, England, in the Close of
Norwich Cathedral.
Technical Notes: Suspended action to upper Manual, backfall action to lower Manual. The organ was revoiced in 2003/2004 to maximize volume and fundamental tone. The Lower Man/Pedal coupler was added at this time. Work was done by Stephen Paul Kowalyshyn. The Zimbelstern, added in 2009, was given by John and Wilma Kassakian in honor of their granddaughter. The pipeshades, carved by Allen Klein in 2008, illustrate a text from St. John's gospel (15:5), "I am the vine, you are the branches." An inter-manual coupler (upper to lower), engaged by pushing the upper manual in, was added in 2011 by Jonas Berg.
Gedeckt 8'
Spindle Flute 4'
Doublette 2'
Sesquialtera II
Chimney Flute 8'
Dulciana 8'
Principal 4'
Fifteenth 2'
Bourdon 16'
