The church is blessed with a beautiful collection of stained glass windows. Here Joseph and Mary are depicted fleeing to Egypt with the infant Jesus. Click on the photo above to see a larger version.

The Cover

One of the omissions on the insert was forgetting to caption the CD insert cover. The photograph is of the embroidered cover of one of the Prayer Books used on the Altar of Saint Mary's. Inside the printed insert is the photograph (at right) of one of the stained glass windows on the east wall, overlooking the Garth (the Episcopalian name for the courtyard). The photos are my Matthew Cole, tenor, and Karla's husband.

Introduction

This page contains the text of the insert for A Saint Mary's Sampler, a CD recorded in late 1999 by the musical ensembles of Saint Mary's Episcopal Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The CD contains quite a variety of music, much of which is only rarely or never recorded. You can listen to a smattering of the tracks if you like and don't mind 1.5 Meg MP3 downloads. Once you've done that, if you would like to purchase a CD, send a check for $15 to Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, Attention: LeeAnne Watkins, 1895 Laurel Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104-5998 and they'll mail one to you. Please make the check out to St. Mary's and put "CD" on the memo line.

The CD insert was written by Karla Standridge Cole, Music Director for Saint Mary's at the time (Karla is now at Saint Christopher's Episcopal Church in Roseville. The recording, mixing and engineering was done by Jim May of Trail Mix Studios in Minneapolis, who recorded both in church and in his studio. The design of the CD insert was done by Pat Thompson of Triangle Park Creative in Minneapolis and it looks great, though you can't tell from this page.

Anyway, enjoy reading about our CD.

Saint Mary's Choir

The Bell Choir

Nica Bethke   Paulette Briese   Janine Dahl   Anne Green   Cindy James   Diane Pikula   George Power   Nancy Pugh   Nancy Rotramel   Kristi Steinmetz

The Recorder Ensemble

Nancy Pugh, soprano  Jim DeLuca & Jean Probst, alto    Bob Butterbrodt, tenor

Additional instrumentalists

Sunita Staneslow, harp   Jim May, acoustic bass and assorted percussion   Cindy James, percussion   Paulette Briese, whistler extrordinaire   Karla Cole, keyboards  

Saint Mary's Episcopal Church is nestled in a Saint Paul neighborhood full of turn-of-the-century homes and lots of sidewalks, trees and charm. The church itself is home to a number of small businesses that provide services to the neighbors, such as assistance for the elderly still living in their own homes, a preschool and Kindergarten, and a music school for string students, among others. The church's membership comes from all over the Twin Cities and newer members comment on the friendliness of the parish.

Good music has been a long-standing tradition in the worship at Saint Mary's. One of the attractions of church music in general and the Episcopal Church in particular is that there is a rich musical heritage, a heritage that stretches back hundreds of years. In a society where music has become a passive diversion, heard everywhere but rarely participated in by anybody, we prepare music week in and week out for our regular worship. Our musical ensembles have worked very hard to prepare this sampler of favorites. We've chosen pieces from a wide array of musical styles and time periods. This variety enriches our worship, respecting the power of the church's traditional music while making room for new voices. Whatever the music chosen for a particular Sunday, the goal is always to illuminate the scripture and reflect God's glory.

With so much to choose from, we decided on a Sampler to present a diverse range of music. You'll find many of our favorite hymns in a variety of settings. We've also included instrumental music from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries using our own "period instruments." There is a bit of sixteenth century polyphony, a little jazz and some American folk hymns as well as a carol or two. Also, there are offerings in a distinctly twentieth century harmonic language as well. One a warm September morning last fall, we recorded our congregational hymns. The congregation had been practicing these hymns off and on for weeks and I think they sang with a good deal of spirit. We begin our Sampler with one of those hymns.  

Music Listing for A Saint Mary's Sampler

Texts and Translations

1   I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light arr. Karla Standridge Cole

The inspiration for this delightful and singable hymn came to hymnwriter Kathleen Thomerson in 1966 as she drove her mother from St. Louis to Houston in the midst of an airline strike.

I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father. Refrain

I'm looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus. Refrain

© 1970 Celebration (Administered by the Copyright Company, Nashville, TN) All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission

2   Tandi Tanga Jesus arr. Bradley Ellingboe

Here is a simple little song about Christian gratitude. The texts are traditional Otji-vambo from Namibia and Swahili from Tanzania.

© 1995, Augsburg Publishing House

3    Gabriel's Message K. Lee Scott

This traditional Annunciation carol probably came to us from the Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould, who traveled the Basque countryside researching a book in the early 1900's. He had this tune sung to him until he could remember it and then it was later transcribed by a family member.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
"All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady," Gloria!

"For known a blessed mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honor thee,
Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name." Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: "Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

© 1996 MorningStar Music Publishers, St. Louis, MO.

4    Pavane and Galliard Etienne du Tertre, 1557

This pair of stylized dance forms consists of a stately processional dance followed by a jumping dance in triple meter. When they were performed at court, ladies and gentlemen wore long ornate robes and caps.

5   Ave Maria Tomás Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611

Most of Victoria's works were published in Rome, where he succeeded Palestrina as the "maestro di cappella" at the Collegium Romanum. Though Victoria was greatly influenced by Palestrina's Roman style in the golden age of sixteenth century polyphony, his genius is essentially Spanish with all the inherent drama, vigor and color.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

6    Starlight and Snow Steven and Susan Krantz

The evocative text was written by former Saint Mary's member Susan Krantz, and the music by her late husband, Steven. This was one of several carols written collaboratively as Christmas greetings to their friends.

On a cold winter's night long ago the starlight fell from heaven, clear and bright, gently falling like snow.
In the light from that star came God's love when Mary, stella maris, pure as snow, mirrored light from above.
Now on clear Christmas days in the snow we still see tiny stars shine; it is Christ in their glow, and his love in the starlight of snow.

7    Intrada Melchior Franck, 1573-1639

This Saxon composer was Kapellmeister to the Duke of Coburg, for whom he wrote church music, songs and instrumental music.

8    Pavane from Arbeau's Orchesographie,1588

Thoinet Arbeau was a French priest whose illustrated treatise on the dance in dialogue form contained directions for the execution of French dance steps as well as musical manuscripts for playing them on fife and drum.

9    Villancico Juan del Encina, 1468-1529?

Encina was a Spanish priest, poet, dramatist and composer who served as the Archdeacon of Málaga, and later as the Prior of León. In 1519, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

10    Out of the Orient Crystal Skies Richard Zgodava

Out of the Orient crystal skies a blazing star did shine,
Showing the place where poorly lies a blessed babe divine.
This shining star three kings did guide even from the farthest east,
To Bethlehem where it betide this blessed babe did rest.
He was born of a maid of royal blood who Mary was called by name,
A sacred rose which once did bud by grace of heavenly flame.
And for the joy of his great birth a thousand angels sing,
Glory and peace unto the earth, where born is this heavenly King.

© 1975; 1985 Augsburg Publishing House

11    Pastoral on Forest Green Dale Wood
Sunita Staneslow, harp
Karla Standridge Cole, organ

Episcopalians know this little tune as "O Little Town of Bethlehem," although others may remember it as a children's hymn, "I Love God's Tiny Creatures." It was transcribed by Ralph Vaughn Williams from the singing of a Mr. Garman of Forest Green near Ockley, Surrey, in December of 1903.

© 1972 Harold Flammer Music, A Division of Shawnee Press Inc.

12    All Things Bright and Beautiful John Ferguson

Dr. Ferguson is Professor of Organ and Music at Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He is widely acclaimed for his improvisational skill and we like his many hymn anthems.

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colors,
God made their tiny wings. Refrain

The purple-headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset,
and the morning that brightens up the sky. Refrain

The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden,
God made them every one. Refrain

God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell how great is God almighty,
who has made all things well. Refrain

© 1987 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc.

13    Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing arr. Karla Standridge Cole

Although this hymn actually comes from the nineteenth century folk-hymn tradition of the American northeast, it was listed in the "eighty most popular tunes" in George Pullen Jackson's White Spirituals in the Southern Uplands. It is a very popular hymn still, appearing in many current hymnals.

Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace!
Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! Oh, fix me on it, mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I find my greatest treasure; hither, by thy help, I've come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

14    Wondrous Love Richard Walters
Betsy Brown and Beth Cummins, sopranos

The composer of this very compelling setting of a well known Southern folk-hymn is a Hal Leonard Corporation executive and Milwaukee area resident.

© 1993 by Hal Leonard Corporation International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

15    Amazing Grace George Shearing

Englishman and jazz great, George Shearing wrote a number of these settings of American folk-hymns.

© The Sacred Music Press 1977

16    Cry Unto the Lord Ellen M. Keating OP

Cry unto the Lord, O cry unto the Lord.
They mount up to heaven, they come down again to the depths.
Their soul is melted down because of trouble.
And they called to the Lord of mercy, and they called to the God of peace.
God sent forth the word bringing them healing and peace.
Let them give thanks for such merciful love, let them rejoice in such goodness.

© 1994 Fostco Music Press

17    Two Pieces for Recorders Wilhelm Brade, 1560-1630

These pieces, published in 1609, were actually written by an Englishman who lived most of his life in Germany and Denmark.

18   I Know That My Redeemer Lives Hal H. Hopson

A native Texan, Dr. Hopson is a prolific composer of music for the church. This festive Easter setting is based on the hymn tune Duke Street.

I know that my Redeemer lives; what joy the blest assurance gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead. He lives, my everlasting head.

He lives, to bless me with his love. He lives, to plead for me above.
He lives, my hungry soul to feed. He lives, to help in time of need.

He lives, and grants me daily breath. He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives, my mansion to prepare. He lives, to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to his name. He lives, my Savior, still the same.
What joy the blest assurance gives; I know that my Redeemer lives!

© 1978 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc.

19    Somebody's Knockin' at Your Door Jeffery Honoré The Bell Choir

The image of Christ knocking on the ivy-covered, slightly over-grown door of our hearts is frequently seen in sentimental Christian art. Here the composer uses several different handbell techniques to simulate the knocking and provide variations on this simple spiritual.

© 1995 Augsburg Fortress

20    Praise to the Lord the Almighty Hugo Distler

Hugo Distler was in his prime and much-admired in musical circles in the 1930's. He was not admired by the Nazis, however, and his Cembalo Concerto was included in a traveling exhibition of "degenerate art." Despite his persecution, he taught organ and composition, and wrote numerous choral works, pieces for piano and organ as well as chamber music, and was working on an oratorio when in 1942, at a time when Nazi Germany was at its ascendancy, he took his own life. We are particularly fond of this vigorous setting of a beloved hymn.

Praise to the Lord, the almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
Gather ye round, let us make music resound! Praise him in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wond'rously reigneth.
Shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently, sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen, how thy hearts wishes have been granted in what he ordaineth?

© 1966 Arista Music Company

21    Tango for Organ on Down Ampney Mark Sedio

Mark Sedio is a gifted musician and composer who serves as Cantor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. His compositional skills bring innovation and fresh insight to traditional hymn tunes. In this piece, you'll have to work pretty hard to hear Ralph Vaughn Williams tune as we know it: "Come down, O Love Divine."

© 1995 Augsburg Fortress Press

22    How Can I Keep From Singing? John Carter

Another prolific composer of church music, John Carter lives in Columbus, Ohio, where he is the Director of Music at University Baptist Church. He also serves on the Editorial Board of Hope Publishing Company. This setting is a particular favorite of ours.

My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die? My savior Jesus liveth!
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth!

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to my hope I'm clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his. How can I keep from singing?

© 1996 by Carl Fischer, Inc.
 

How Can We Keep From Singing? It gives us great pleasure to work as a group and produce music at a level that few of us could attain as individuals. Saint Mary's ensembles are made up of regular folks, mostly. While we do have one graduate student in music, and a former string teacher and some people who have studied instruments; we also have a lot of business people, a retired mathematics professor, a lawyer, an engineer, a pair of geologists, a nurse, a librarian, a chef, a house-husband, some housewives and even some teenagers. Together, we have a lot of fun and provide an important aspect of the worship at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church.

Thank you: to Jim May, who challenged us with the idea of doing a CD in the first place and then did the recording, allowed us to use his studio, and donated generously of his time and knowledge in post-production work; to Corinne Shindelar and Pat Thompson for their invaluable counsel and design work; to Sunita Staneslow, for her lovely harp playing; to Ann Klus and the Saint Paul Academy and Summit School, for allowing us to use their xylophone; to Charles Fruhstuck, for his patient work on our organ; to my late father, Henry Standridge, who built the harpsichord; to LeeAnne Watkins, the Vestry and congregation of Saint Mary's church for supporting the project and singing so beautifully in the congregational hymns; and to all those in Saint Mary's various musical ensembles who work faithfully week in and week out even when we're not doing a CD.