Englewood Church's Requiem Concert Soothes Those In Grief

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Englewood held a concert Sunday night to remember those who've passed on and those managing grief, as the parish began preparing for the holiday season.

Members of the choir prepare to sing at the Vespers Vigil of the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed mass and concert.
Photo Credit: *Melissa Heule*

Attendees listen to the concert at St. Paul's Church in Englewood.
Photo Credit: *Melissa Heule*

Melissa Heule

11/02/2015 5:30 a.m.

“We look forward to this opportunity to reach out in love and sincerity when we hit November,” said Choir Director Mark Trautman.

The St. Paul’s Choir presented Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem” with a semi-professional ensemble of a dozen adults along with roughly 30 students from the St. Paul’s Choir School.

This is the first time that the youth choir has performed a longer choral piece. It included baritone Robert Martin, violinist Cathy Yang, harpist Dr. John Sheridan, and organist David Macfarlane.

"It's quite an opportunity to see a free concert and share praise," audience member John Anderson said.

"This is quite an undertaking,” said Trautman. "This is a good opportunity for us to be part of our neighborhood. And a number of attendees come from other churches, so we are very pleased to see them attend this event."

The church has existed since the late 1890s with a number of well-known attendees -- including performing artist John Harms.

More recently, the choir honored one of the church's lifelong parishioners, 99-year-old Ruth Herrick. A plaque hangs on a wall in memory of her grandfather.

“You don’t see that too much in urban areas - that longevity," Trautman said. "You see that more in rural places, but it is here, too."

MORE INFO: http://www.stpaulsenglewood.org.

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