Music at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen

Thank you for supporting this parish and encouraging its Music Ministry!  Your support and enthusiasm helps us reach many people, to touch their hearts and encourage their faith through the music of the church.

Getting Involved in Music:

Would you like to add your voice to the mix? Each of us can inspire others, and each can benefit from spending a little time each week singing the songs of the church. In these times of re-imagined schedules and activities, singing for the church might be uplifting for you, and inspiring to others.  Your talents, questions and comments regarding music at Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen’s Church are welcome and encouraged. Your financial contributions to our music program are also welcome. Expenses throughout the year include: guest musicians who enhance our special events (instrumentalists and choir section leaders), ongoing maintenance and repair of the pipe organ and grand pianos, acquisition and maintenance of audio equipment and sheet music. Please visit the choir loft after Sunday Mass to talk with us, or send us an email. (use the links above)

About Music at Sacred Hearts & St Stephen:

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord” – Psalm 100
“Speak to one another with psalms, songs, and hymns of praise” – Ephesians 5:19

The reverberant acoustics of our historic church make an ideal setting for joyful noises and hymns of praise. And the magnificent old pipe organ, with 31 ranks and over 2,000 pipes, is truly one of the treasures of Carroll Gardens.

Singing at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen: Singing together with sincere hearts is one of the best ways a community can offer praise to God, and everyone who attends our church is encouraged to raise their voice in song. The leaders’ voices you hear singing at most Masses are that of our Music Director, Jim Lake, and Annie Flood, the Director of Children’s Music. The Parish Choirs sing at the major celebrations of the church year. The choirs are made up of volunteers from the parish, led by professional section leaders.  New volunteers are always welcome. Click here to visit the Choir Website

Wedding Music: Couples planning weddings at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen should contact the Music Director as early as possible to discuss the music for their ceremony. Couples should consider what music will be meaningful to those present at your ceremony. All music must be liturgical, but there are plenty of options! We strongly recommend you consider having additional musicians contribute to your wedding liturgy – the Music Director maintains a list of approved musicians. Trumpets make the occasion sound grand and breath-taking, and adding a female vocalist allows for the singing of male/female duets – a perfect musical representation of the act of marriage. Extra musicians will each have their own fees, but the cost is little compared with most wedding expenses, and your ceremony will benefit greatly from this relatively small investment. Click here to send email to the Music Director. Or Click here to visit the parish’s online guide to planning your wedding music.

Music Director:  Jim Lake is the Parish Organist and Music Director at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church, and is responsible for the music at all liturgies and celebrations of the parish and its families. Jim has been the parish organist at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen since May, 2003. He earned his Master of Music degree in classical performance from Manhattan School of Music, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree, also in classical performance, from Rice University’s prestigious Shepherd School of Music. Mr. Lake has performed in concerts at all of New York City’s major concert halls, and has provided liturgical music at hundreds of churches in the New York Archdiocese, Brooklyn Diocese, and the Diocese of Rockville Center, including special events at the major cathedrals. In addition to playing the organ, Jim has a strong background in brass music, playing trumpet in orchestras, shows, and churches throughout the New York City area. Click here for more information about Jim.

Pipe Organ:  The New York City chapter of the American Guild of Organists maintains a website about the instruments in our city. Click here to visit their site for historical information about the pipe organs at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen.  For information on the current status of the instrument, email Jim Lake.