Since the founding of St. Stephen the First Martyr Church, the St. Stephen’s Choir has worked to honor and glorify God through music. Choir members sing for the 1:00 pm Sunday Mass, first-class feasts, weddings, Requiems, and various other liturgies throughout the year. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings and immediately before each sung Mass to prepare full Gregorian propers, Gregorian or polyphonic ordinaries, sacred motets, and traditional hymns as appropriate for that liturgy. Choir members range from relative newcomers to professional musicians, but they are united by their desire to serve God in His holy liturgies.
Instruction for the Youth
Children interested in becoming choir members receive thorough musical formation based on the Kodály method, Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, and other curricula. Several levels of classes meet on Thursday afternoons for children ages 4 thru high school. Many families come for classes and stay well into the evening, even bringing a picnic dinner. Parents have the opportunity to socialize as their children make friends and play together.
Each summer, the parish offers a Chant Camp for children ages 8-18. Campers receive three days of instruction from highly qualified musicians on how to read Gregorian chant notation and sing with proper vocal technique. On the final day of camp, they sing a Mass together and then enjoy a potluck lunch. Enrollment in Chant Camp has often exceeded 90 children.
Training for Adult Choir Members & the Faithful
Adult choir members may receive training as needed, depending on their musical background. The parish also offers summertime Gregorian chant seminars for adults who would like to learn more about sacred music and sing along with the parts of the Mass.
About the Choirmaster
Keven Smith has directed the St. Stephen’s Choir since March, 2014. He is a graduate of Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music (as a clarinetist), and has studied voice with Pamela Hicks-Gailey and organ with Dan Nguyen. Before coming to St. Stephen’s, Keven lived for ten years in Fresno, California, where he was the founding director of the St. Blaise Schola Cantorum and Voces Sanctae Ceciliae choir. He a member of the parish and lives in Sacramento with his wife and five children.
