Music
Music at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church is rich and diverse. We believe that music should reflect, support, and reiterate the Word, with the lectionary and church day as its guide. With this in mind, music for each worship service, including hymns, anthems, and the Psalter (which is sung or chanted), is carefully selected.
Special musical offerings include major choral works during Advent and Lent, and a Cantata led by our children's and youth choirs usually presented on Christian Family Sunday in May. Our 2009 Advent offering was Francis Poulenc's Gloria. Our 2010 Lenten offering was selected Lenten chorales from J.S. Bach's Orgelbuchlein, presented in worship Sunday, March 21. In a new effort of outreach, we invited singers from Congregation Ohev Shalom to join us for a concert to benefit the Chester Children's Chorus and ABC Strath Haven. Arthur Honegger's Symphonic Psalm, King David, was presented in concert Sunday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m. in Lang Hall on the Swarthmore College campus. Our 2010 children and youth Choirs' cantata was a musical retelling of the story of Simon Peter by Jimmy Travis Getzen and Gail Getzen titled Simon Says: the Rockin' Trial of Simon Peter. Recordings of the worship services in which each of these musical offerings were presented may be accessed in our Audio Archive. A history of special musical offerings is also available.
Our Music Director is Jeffrey DeVault, a Temple graduate and talented pianist as well as accomplished organist. Jeff has been the recipient of multiple awards at AGO competitions, both at the Philadelphia chapter level and at the regional level, as well as the winner of several local piano competitions. Jeff is also a high school math teacher.
Our Vocal Choirs
Our chancel choir, a lively group of adults from colege students to septagenarians, rehearses on Thursdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 9:30 am in Loeffler Chapel. There is weekly participation in worship and major works are presented during Advent and Lent accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Newcomers are always welcome!
The Youth Choir
Our youth choir – for grades 6-12 – is directed by Vippy Yee. Vippy selects worshipful and creative pieces for her choir to sing. The youth choir leads worship on Christmas Eve (8 pm) and Youth Sunday (February) as well as other times during the school year. Rehearsals are Sundays from 11:30 to noon in Loeffler Chapel.
The Junior Choir
Our junior choir – for grades 2-5 – is directed by Ray Thompson. Ray brings all sorts of traditions and instruments to the junior choir. They have a lot of energy and a lot of fun together. The junior choir leads worship 3-4 times a year. Rehearsals are Sundays from 9:15 to 10:00 am in the Hearth Room.
The Primary Choir
Our primary choir – for children 4 years old through 1st grade – is directed by Dorrie McGrath. One of our regular cantors, Dorrie has a wonderful touch with the littler ones and emboldens them to sing out in front of the congregation. The primary choir leads worship 2-3 times a year. Rehearsals are Sundays from 9:15 to 10:00 am in the corner room on the main floor of the Braun Building.
Our Bell Choir
The Chancel Ringers
Our bell choir - open to ringers of all ages - is directed by Leland Kusmer, a Swarthmore College student who is not only an accomplished ringer with experience in bell choirs and ensembles on both coasts but a talented violinist and committed folk dancer as well. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 8:00 pm in Loeffler Chapel. There is regular participation in worship.