St. Cecilia Choir
History
Since 1996 the St. Cecilia Choir has been offering at least one concert per year with orchestra and soloists. It has been at different times of the year but for the last several years we have established a tradition of offering this concert on the evening of Good Friday to a capacity crowd. Members and friends of the parish and the community come every year to hear the St. Cecilia Choir joined with the choral ensemble Cantiamo Sonoma and the Incarnation Chamber Orchestra made up of musicians from throughout the Bay Area – many of whom are members of the Santa Rosa Symphony. We have had several guest conductors including Conductor Laureate of the Santa Rosa Symphony, Corrick Brown, and the late J. Karla Lemon.
Choral Works performed by The St. Cecilia Choir since 1996:
Händel Chandos Anthems 1,3,4 & 8
Bach Cantatas 140 & 182
Pergolesi Stabat Mater
Haydn Stabat Mater
Haydn Masses
St. Nicholas
Lord Nelson
Theresienmesse
Bach Cantatas 140 & 182
Haydn Seven Last Words
Mozart Requiem
Michael Haydn Requiem
Fauré Requiem
Vaughan Williams Five Mystical songs
Comments about the Saint Cecilia Choir
The St. Cecilia choir feeds my soul and enables me to sing with contemplation and jubilation for the Spirit in our lives. It gives my spiritual soul a voice!
We came to one 11:15 AM service (after visiting both 9:15 and 8 AM services) and the music presented by the St. Cecilia Choir convinced us we belonged at the 11:15 service. (Then we decided we wanted to sing with the choir and we just appeared one night to join!!!) Now we’re doing Via Media!
About Director, Carol Menke
Lyric soprano Carol Menke began her musical studies at the piano with her mother at age five, and at age eight started flute lessons. She entered college with aspirations of a career as a flautist. However, participation in a voice class led to recognition of her superb vocal gifts. Following graduation from CSU, attendance at the Franz Schubert Institute in Baden bei Wien, Austria, confirmed her passion for the Art Song genre. The young singer was heard in performance many times at the Schuberthaus in Vienna during this period of study with Elly Ameling, Jörg Demus and Norman Shelter. Miss Menke later completed her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance. Her performances have won the accolades of music critics and orchestral conductors who have commented on her “silvery bright…. illuminating voice” and “appealing sweetness of tone.” Upon hearing her perform one of his newly composed chamber works, the renowned composer Alan Hovhaness acknowledged and praised her “perfect musicianship.” Carol maintains a full schedule as teacher and choral conductor in addition to fulfilling her illustrious solo engagements. At Santa Rosa Junior College she teaches voice and music theory classes. The Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus has thrived and achieved high praise during Miss Menke’s tenure as Artistic Director. Her leadership of the choir at the Church of the Incarnation in Santa Rosa as well as Cantiamo Sonoma, a distinguished chamber choral ensemble, has served to enrich the musical environment of the area.
From the Rector
Worship Services
We offer 3 Sunday Services:
- 8 am - Traditional
- 9:15 am - More informal and family-oriented
- 11:15 am - More formal with classical chior