"Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."
Psalm 150: 3-6
The Music Ministry at The Church of the Good Shepherd focuses on providing opportunities for everyone to praise God through music (primarily congregational hymns, psalms, and service music) as well as fostering God-given talents and gifts through participation in musical ensembles.
- Handbell Choir rehearses Wednesday evenings 6:00-6:45pm September-May and plays in worship services seasonally. No prior ringing experience required.
- Chancel Choir rehearses Wednesday evenings 7:00-8:30pm September-May and leads music for the 10:15am worship service most weeks throughout the year, as well as Christmas Eve and Holy Week services. All skill levels are welcome, and the ability to match pitch is required. The Chancel Choir is supplemented by professional section leaders and student choral scholars from the community.
Say hello to the new Good Shepherd Choir!
Do you know a child who loves to sing? The Church of the Good Shepherd launched a new chorister program in the fall of 2025, and we'd love to include more children in this fun group.
Please read the information below about this wonderful opportunity to praise God through music.
To learn more contact Kirsten Homdrom, Director of Music and Organist
Do you know a child who loves to sing? The Church of the Good Shepherd launched a new chorister program in the fall of 2025, and we'd love to include more children in this fun group.
Please read the information below about this wonderful opportunity to praise God through music.
To learn more contact Kirsten Homdrom, Director of Music and Organist
Church of the Good Shepherd Children’s Chorister Program
The Chorister Program at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (CGS) provides musical education, community building, and faith formation through singing in choirs. Singers in grades K-12 have the opportunity to sing their faith and learn about the tradition of sacred choral music, which is musically enriching, challenging, and satisfying. This is one of the few opportunities for fostering intergenerational relationships in the community, as the choristers will regularly have opportunities to sing with the Chancel Choir. Choristers also learn that their voices are a gift from God and their love of singing will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Singing in a choir at church is also a wonderful way to share time and talents. And it’s fun, too!
Rehearsals will be weekly September-May, with a Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break.
There will be two choirs at CGS for choristers beginning in September 2025:
A note on attendance: Music, like sports, is cumulative. It is very important for choristers to be present for as many rehearsals as possible so they feel well prepared and also work well with their fellow choristers (think of them as teammates). That being said, life happens. Please stay in close communication with Dr. H about any absences, planned or unplanned.
Schedule for 2025-2026
Rehearsals began in September and continue weekly unless otherwise specified.
The Chorister Program at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (CGS) provides musical education, community building, and faith formation through singing in choirs. Singers in grades K-12 have the opportunity to sing their faith and learn about the tradition of sacred choral music, which is musically enriching, challenging, and satisfying. This is one of the few opportunities for fostering intergenerational relationships in the community, as the choristers will regularly have opportunities to sing with the Chancel Choir. Choristers also learn that their voices are a gift from God and their love of singing will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Singing in a choir at church is also a wonderful way to share time and talents. And it’s fun, too!
Rehearsals will be weekly September-May, with a Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break.
There will be two choirs at CGS for choristers beginning in September 2025:
- Junior Choristers, Good Shepherd Choir – grades K-2 (Tuesdays 4:30-5:20pm)Our youngest singers will learn about how to sing with good tone, the basics of note reading, rhythm and pitch, and how to listen and work as a team. They will sing in worship once per month at the beginning of the service.
- Senior Choristers – grades 3-12 (Wednesdays 7:00-8:30pm with the Chancel Choir) Singers in this choir will learn how to lead music with the Chancel Choir and continue to develop good choral singing skills. They will sing in worship along with the Chancel Choir September-May.
A note on attendance: Music, like sports, is cumulative. It is very important for choristers to be present for as many rehearsals as possible so they feel well prepared and also work well with their fellow choristers (think of them as teammates). That being said, life happens. Please stay in close communication with Dr. H about any absences, planned or unplanned.
Schedule for 2025-2026
Rehearsals began in September and continue weekly unless otherwise specified.
- Tuesday and Wednesday December 30 and 31 – NO REHEARSAL
- Tuesday and Wednesday January 6 and 7 – Rehearsals resume
- Sunday February 8 – both choirs sing for the 10:15am worship service; warmup at 9:30am
- Sunday March 15 – both choirs sing for the 10:15am worship service; warmup at 9:30am
- Tuesday and Wednesday March 31 and April 1 – NO REHEARSAL
- Sunday May 10 – both choirs sing for the 10:15am worship service; warmup at 9:30am
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Church of the Good Shepherd Chancel Choir
In August, members of our Chancel Choir attended a Hymn Festival at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, led by Tom Trenney and VOCES8. They had a great time of inspiring music and worship! If you are interested in learning more about the Chancel Choir at Good Shepherd, please contact Kirsten Homdrom, [email protected]. |
Evensong Services- Feb. 15 & April 26, 2026
The Chancel Choir is preparing for two Choral Evensong services this semester with the Choir of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Raleigh. All are welcome to these beautiful services of music and reflection - please help spread the word!
The Chancel Choir is preparing for two Choral Evensong services this semester with the Choir of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Raleigh. All are welcome to these beautiful services of music and reflection - please help spread the word!
- Sunday February 15 at 4:00pm - St. Michael's Episcopal Church; Kirsten Homdrom, director; Kevin Kerstetter, organ; combined choirs of Church of the Good Shepherd and St. Michael's Episcopal Church
- Sunday April 26 at 4:00pm - Church of the Good Shepherd; Kevin Kerstetter, director; Kirsten Homdrom, organ; combined choirs of Church of the Good Shepherd and St. Michael's Episcopal Church
