Music in Liturgy...
 Music at Trinity's 10:30 a.m. Sunday liturgy is
primarily of a traditional nature, employing a variety
of hymns, choral anthems and organ literature. The
choirs process with the Cross and clergy, and sing from
the balcony where the pipe organ is located. Hymns are
treasured at Trinity, and congregational singing is full
and energetic. Psalms are sung frequently to Plainsong,
Simplified Anglican Chant, and other settings both
choral and participatory. The Mass is sung occasionally
by adult or child choristers, both of which ensembles
often sing together in the liturgy. Choirs sing in the
liturgy every Sunday from September through July. A few
songs from our parish songbook are sung
with organ during Communion, and on the fourth Sunday of
most months a greater emphasis is given to contemporary
music, with other instruments such as guitar, violin,
and
piano taking part. September 8th marks the anniversary of an additional
Sunday liturgy called "Celebration!", which will take
place at 8:30 a.m. each week. This liturgy gives a more
informal expression of the Holy Eucharist, utilizing
different instrumentalists and music with a more
contemporary flavor. From time to time, various groups
and musicians from Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area
will lead the music at "Celebration!", making it an
exciting time of worship and praise in the context of
the liturgical, sacramental tradition of the Episcopal
Church.
Handbells...
The
Canterbury Bells, Trinity's handbell ensemble, ring
three octaves of
Schulmerich handbells regularly in the liturgy. For
those who wish to be an active part of the music
ministry in the parish but do not sing, this is a fine
venue.
A three-octave set of Malmark choir chimes are used in
Trinity's children's music program.
Choral Program for Adults...
Trinity has a rich and vital choral program
that i s an integral part of the worship life of the
parish. The St. Augustine Choir of adults maintains an
active schedule, singing in liturgies and performances
throughout the year. The choir's repertoire consists of
a variety of sacred music: from the Renaissance era to
the 20th Century, from the great anthems of the English
Cathedral tradition to large choral works with
orchestra, such as its annual performance of Handel's
Messiah with the Long Bay Symphony. With its core of
professional musicians, the St. Augustine Choir has
become known as one of the finest choral ensembles in
the area.
Choral Program for
Children... Music for children at Trinity is offered
through a graded choir program affiliated with the Royal
School of Church Music (England). Children in grades 3
and up may participate in the St. Cecilia Choir, which
sings two Sundays a month
and for other selected liturgies.
 
St. Cecilia St. Cecilia Choir
Children ages 3-5
sing in the St. Francis Choir. The St. Francis Choir
now includes an exciting curriculum for music enrichment
called "Musikgarten." Curriculum for the two younger
choirs incorporates the use of Orff instruments and
Kodaly, with emphasis on early musical education through
hands-on activities and exploration in Trinity's Music
Atrium.
The William Johnson & Son
"Centennial" Organ...
November 11, 2001
marked the Sunday debut of the instrument that, God
willing, will serve Trinity for many years: the
restored 1876 William Johnson & Son "Centennial" tracker
pipe organ. The 30-rank organ was rebuilt and restored
by J. Allen Farmer of Winston-Salem, North Carolina who,
with the help of Alan Laufman of the Organ Clearing
House, discovered the instrument in a state of nearly
complete disrepair in an inner city church in Dayton,
Ohio. Recognizing it for the musical treasure it
had once been and could once again become, Farmer
encouraged Trinity to purchase the organ and have it
completely restored and rebuilt. The instrument
was dismantled and brought to Farmer's workshop, where
restoration and rebuilding took place intermittently
over the next several years until work was completed and
the organ installed in October of 2001. A festive
and memorable Organ Dedication was held on November 30,
2001 featuring concert organist Stewart Wayne Foster and
the choirs of Trinity Church.
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 The
William Johnson & Son "Centennial" Pipe Organ was
built in 1876 for the Presbyterian Church of York,
PA. In the 1930s it was sold to First Methodist
Church of Dayton, OH (although the casework did not
go with the organ). By the early 1990s, urban flight
and a nonexistent congregation led the church and
organ to virtual collapse. The late Alan Laufman of
the Organ Clearing House provided invaluable
assistance to the organ committee of Trinity Church
in locating several possible instruments that would
fulfill its musical requirements. The church decided
to purchase the Johnson and in 1993, commissioned
the firm of J. Allen Farmer, Inc. to move and store
the organ until further plans were made. By 1998,
discussions were complete and the restoration
project started in earnest. All of the Johnson's
pipe work and interior parts were cleaned, repaired
and restored to their original condition. This alone
involved thousands of man hours working with pieces
weighing over 1/4 ton to tiny moving wooden strips
(trackers) fitted to tolerances of less than a 1/2
of a millimeter. It was also decided to add several
new stops to the organ, based upon historical
examples. This included a Great Cornet III and
Clarion 4' and an impressive new detached console
built in the Johnson style. This console arrangement
allows the advantage of retaining the original
mechanical key action with the convenience of
conducting the choir grouped around the organist.
The Clearing House is also responsible for locating
the magnificent Greek Revival case now housing the
organ. It was built in 1863 by another well-known
American builder, Henry Erben of New York City, for
a now demolished Catholic church in Baltimore, MD.
After decades of gathering dust in a New Hampshire
barn, it has been restored to its original
appearance. Made of plain pine boards, the panels
have been faux-grained, the columns marbleized and
the capitals gilded with 23k German gold. In fact,
over 5,000 sheets of gold were used in the facade
pipes and case! |
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