Hymns

The purpose of music at St. Andrew's is not about performance, but we strive to make music to glorify God and to proclaim the wonder of God's love for us in Jesus Christ. The choir gives leadership as we make music together on Sunday mornings to express our praise to God and to respond to the good news of God's Word to us.

The hymn book that we use at St. Andrew's is the Presbyterian Church in Canada's "Book of Praise" as published in 1997. Edited by Donald Anderson and Andrew Donaldson, the hymn book includes traditional hymns as well as contemporary hymns and praise songs. Depending on the style of the music, we sing together accompanied by the organ or the piano. Sometimes we include a guitar or two, a recorder, or some djembe drums when it is appropriate.

St. Andrew's has a fairly wide repertoire of hymns and songs, and we are always learning new ones as well. We have a lot of fun singing both new songs and well-loved traditional hymns, as we glorify God and enjoy being together in God's loving presence.

Choir

The choir sings a wide variety of music from traditional classical anthems by composers such as Bach, Schubert and John Rutter to anthems by contemporary composers such as Mark Hayes and Don Besig.  Every once in a while the choir will even sing a spiritual or gospel tune.  The choir meets in the sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings each week. Under the direction of Gillian Lyons who also serves as organist/pianist, the choir provides leadership for the congregational singing on Sunday mornings. The choir also prepares an anthem each week,

and plans a number of special selections for the Special Christmas Service in mid-December. The choir always welcomes new members. If you can’t commit to choir every week, but you’d like to join the choir for a special season like Christmas, you’re welcome to do so as well.  Please click on the “Choir Guidelines” pamphlet icon to your left.  To join the choir, please contact the music director, or click here.

Piano

One of the highlights of the music at St. Andrew's is its gorgeous piano acquired in June, 2009.  It is the only concert grand in a church in Saskatoon. 

The piano has a clear and powerful sound without being overwhelming or harsh.  As a solo or chamber instrument, the piano is exquisite and a joy to play.  Whether accompanying hymns, choir or soloists, the piano enhances worship to a very high degree.

The piano is a Baldwin Model SD10 9 foot Concert Grand Piano.  It has a satin black finish and the action is by Renner.

Organ

The organ at St. Andrew’s is a 2 manual Casavant pipe organ built in 1954.  For

more information, including a stop list, click here.

Guest Musicians

St. Andrew’s occasionally has guest musicians.  Over the past four years our guest instrumental musicians have been Frank Harrington on trumpet (Frank is a member of St. Andrew’s Church), flutist Brenda Moats, violinists Michael Swan and Martha Kashap, flutist Ross Carstairs, violist Jim Legge, clarinetist Alyssa Thompson and bassoonist Peter Gravlin.  Our guest singers have been Michael Swan, Peter Gravlin, Lenore Maier and Ken Lyons.

Special Church Projects

On September 27, 2009 a fundraising recital was given by Brenda Moats, flute, Gillian Lyons, piano, and Peter Gravlin, bassoon.  All proceeds went to the choir robe fund.  Click here for information on the recital. 

On December 19, 2010 St. Andrew’s Choir presented a Christmas concert with guest vocalists and guest musicians from the Saskatoon Symphony and Prairie Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra.  This concert was also a fundraiser for the choir robes.  For more information click here.

Other Projects

St. Andrew’s Church is a beautiful space for concerts.  Since the acquisition of the piano in June, 2009, many concerts and recitals have been held at St. Andrew’s and it continues to be a prime recital location.  For a list of concerts held at St. Andrew’s, please click here.

Music Director

Gillian Lyons is the St. Andrew’s pianist/organist/choir director.