Parish Choir
The Parish Choir is the primary adult choral ensemble at Saint James. Its chief purpose is to lead the liturgy every Sunday during the 10:00 A.M. Eucharist. The Parish Choir takes on an ambitious schedule of additional musical services throughout the year. Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, a Festival Prelude to the Christmas Eve Eucharist, Christmas Lessons and Carols, Passion Sunday Choral Vesper Service, Solemn Choral Evensong Services, and a Festival Service on Cantate Sunday (The Fourth Sunday after Easter) are a regular part of the choir’s work. The Parish Choir presents two major choral works per year accompanied by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. In addition to its two weekly rehearsals, the Parish Choir goes on two annual choir retreats to learn new repertoire: a four-day Fall retreat each September, and a four-day Winter retreat in February. The Parish Choir has sung for state-wide gatherings of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod, the North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission state-wide gathering, and went on its first European Tour in 2003 singing for High Mass in Saint Mark's (Venice), Saint Peter's Basilica (Rome), and St. Stephen's (Vienna). A number of other concerts were given along the four-country tour. Membership is open to anyone who delights in singing praises to the Creator and glories in singing the great sacred choral masterpieces spanning from the Renaissance to the Contemporary. Members are expected to attend rehearsals and services on a regular basis. No audition is required, just a commitment to excellence in the worship of God.
The Parish Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 until 9:00 pm. and on Sunday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Choral Rehearsal Room.