Musica Sacra

NEW WEBSITE FROM EARLY FEBURARY 2010! Happy New Year!

St Andrew's Anglican Church, Lutwyche, QLD

HOME OF MUSICA SACRA

For over 130 years, St Andrew's Anglican Church stood on the ground Lutwyche in Queensland serving its people. Today's church building date back to 1923. The architect's plan featured pillars in the nave and spaces between filled in with large doors which would fold outwards to provide ventilation on hot days.

St Andrew's is one of the few churches in Brisbane to house 13 bells, and indeed the church is well known in the local community for its beautiful bell ringing. These bells are rung for special events such as weddings and funerals. The bells also rings at the start of Mass on Sunday mornings and at the conclusion of Evensong on Sunday Evenings, calling the start and the ending of the day.

The beautiful stained glass windows date from 1866, depicting the natures of Christ, the Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and the apostles. A special stone incorporated in the front left pillar was some Caerbwdi stone from St David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, South Wals, dating form 1180. The church also has exposed timber beams, ornately carved pulpit, and many other features. St Andrew's is an English village church transposed to sub-tropical Brisbane.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE BELLS OF ST ANDREW'S: BELLS

St Andrew's is the home of Musica Sacra where we rehearse and hold many of our community workshops for central Brisbane. Musica Sacra also participate in the church's life by singing at 5pm Choral Evensong on the 1st Sundays of each month, and other special services.

Schedule of Evensong

Date

Event

Evensong at 5pm

Followed by Church Bells: 6pm

In 2010 on First Sundays

of each month:

7 February

7 March

4 April

2 May

6 June

4 July

1 August

5 September

3 October

7 November

St Andrew's Anglican Church

673 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche

TRADITIONAL CHORAL EVENSONG

"Evensong", also known as Evening Prayer, is a beautiful choral service in the Anglican tradition. Its equivalent is the combination of Vespers and Compline in the Roman Catholic Church.

This service has a great choral potential for choirs of any level. Rituals are also a must see. At St Andrew's, Evensong is sung using mainly Anglican and Gregorian Chant.

There're countless settings of the Canticles and plenty more for the psalms and prayers. The use of Fauxbourdon in chant is most evident in a service such as Evensong where the chant is often "interrupted" by periods of homophonic harmony - creating a stunningly beautiful moment!

St Andrew's is one of the few churches in Brisbane to house 13 bells, and indeed the church is well known in the local community for its beautiful ringing. The bells will be rung at the conclusion of the Choral Evensong.

Enquiries: j.ho@musicasacra.com.au or 0433 285 583

TENEBRAE Service at 5pm

followed by Church Bells

7 March 2010

St Andrew's Anglican Church

673 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche

TENEBRAE

The name Tenebrae (the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows”) has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night and early morning services (matins and
Lauds) of the last three days of Holy Week, which in medieval times came to be celebrated on the preceding evenings.

Apart from the chant of the Lamentations (in which each verse is introduced by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet), the most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of our Lord, remains.

Toward the end of the service this candle is hidden, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end, a loud noise is made, symbolising the earthquake at the time of the resurrection (Matthew 28:2), the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.

Enquiries: j.ho@musicasacra.com.au or 0433 285 583

Advent Carol Service at 5pm

followed by Church Bells

5 December 2010

St Andrew's Anglican Church

673 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE

This is a traditional candle-lit service where we celebrate the season before Christmas. It is well known in many old churches and college chapels in England, notably, Kings College at Cambridge, where we based our format upon.

During this service, the choir will sing carols (with some Christmas flavour!) and other beautiful music as well as ancient chants. Readings are taken from the Bible, telling the ancient story of Christmas.

Come and be part of this beautiful candle-lit service where you'll hear beautiful music and sing along to all the old favourite carols like: "Once In Royal David's City" and "O Come O Ye Faithful"! You'll not be disappointed!!

Since this service falls on the first Sunday of December, it will replace the normal Evensong. You may also like to be reminded that there'll be a special Festive Evensong on 21 December.