Music at St. James

The Organs at St. James

St. James Choirs
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Rehearsal Schedules


​REHEARSALS FOR CANTERBURY CHOIR STARTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
Canterbury Choir
Grades 2-5
Wednesdays at 3:30-4:15
Coventry Choir
Grades 6-12
Sundays at 10:30 am
Twice a month
Adult Choir
Wednesdays 6:45 -8
​Handbell Choir
The Handbell Choir is for anyone who enjoys music, and wants to use music to the glory of God. Some music reading ability is helpful. 

Helen V.A. Rodgers
Director of Music Ministries

Helen Van Abbema Rodgers is the Director of Music Ministries, a program that includes St. James' adult choir, the handbell choir, and two children’s choirs. In addition, she administers the St. James Concert Series each year. 

In 1994, Helen coordinated the project to move the 1896, 14 rank Hook and Hastings organ to the Chapel of St. James’ from the church’s previous location. In 1996, she negotiated the purchase of a 1968, 63 rank Schlicker, Heissler organ from a church in Lincoln, Nebraska. In January of 1998, she played the Inaugural Concert on this organ to a capacity audience. 
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Helen has held two terms as Dean of the Mobile Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She has studied at Calvin College, the University of Georgia, and Westminster Choir College. In the Summer of 2002, while on sabbatical, she studied with Marie-Louise Langlais at St. Clotilde in Paris and Naji Hakim at La Trinité, Paris. She also played in concerts at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, London and Saint-Roch, Paris. In the summer of 2005, she played organs in East Germany. The highlights of this trip were to play Franz Liszt’s favorite organ in Merseburg and two stunning, carefully restored instruments that Bach played, in particular the Hildebrandt organ in Naumberg.