Music at St. Paul's
St. Paul's By-the-Lake has a long and rich musical heritage through musical worship in the Anglican tradition. During the middle of the 20th century St. Paul's had a large and well-known boys choir. Recently, our musical program has continued to include choral anthems and solos, plainsong chant, instrumental pieces, and music from our two wonderful organs. We also occasionally share Sung Evensongs a few times a year.
Organist and Choir Director
We are extremely happy to announce that Rich Spantikow has joined St. Paul's By-the-Lake as our new Organist and Choir Director.
Rich is excited to be a part of St. Paul’s By-the-Lake. He has enjoyed a long career in church music that started when he was 12. He has served congregations of various denominations including the United Church of Christ, United Methodist and Presbyterian Church USA before discovering the Episcopal Church, where the majority of his career has been. Rich has served congregations from Streamwood, Evanston, West Dundee, Western Springs, Arlington Heights, Glenview, and most recently LaGrange. He has also performed recitals around the northwest suburbs. Some of his instructors have included Rosalind Zager, Jerry Jelsema, Dennis Northway and Julia Davids, who have all helped develop and strengthen playing skills, choral conducting and vocal techniques.
Rich grew up in Streamwood, and is the oldest of three. He’s lived in Elgin, and now resides in Des Plaines. When he’s not making music, he enjoys reading, knitting, cooking, spending time with his dogs, and going to the opera and other theater events.
Please join us in providing a warm St. Paul's welcome to Rich, and do say hello and introduce yourself after mass or during coffee hour.
Rich Spantikow
Choir in Loft
Choir
The chief purpose of our choir is the singing of the 10:30 am Sunday Mass. We use the Propers from the English Gradual and the Hymnal 1940, and six different settings. We also regularly prepare special anthems, solos, small groups, and instrumental pieces to add to Sunday Mass.
We also sing at the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Easter Vigil during Holy Week, and other principal feasts.
Our primary rehearsal is on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the Nave. Anyone interested in singing in the choir, please see the organist after 10:30 am Mass or talk with any choir members.
For more information, please email music@stpaulsbythelake.org.
1920 Reuters Organ Console
Our Organs
St. Paul's is blessed by two pipe organs in our Nave, our recently restored main 1920 Reuters organ, and our tracker organ in the back balcony of the Nave.
Tracker Organ
Choir singing in Procession
Recordings
Listen to a sampling of some of the beautiful music our small but mighty choir and musicians have shared.