Members of Redeemer’s all-girl Canterbury Choir. Back row (left to right): Katherine Koach, Scotlyn Srodes, Kristine Leung, Samantha Wulfsohn, Elinor Garlington, Caroline Devitt. Front row (left to right): Courtney Pollard, Carroll Forbes, Organist/Choirmaster Ann Stephenson-Moe, Jane Lindsay, Paige Lindsay, Alex Fox.

Sunday, November 20, at 5:15 p.m., the Church of the Redeemer will offer a Solemn Evensong honoring and celebrating Sarasota’s young people. This special Evensong will feature a percussion, string, and bass orchestra quartet from the Sarasota Youth Symphony. The Anthem will be Dixit Dominus by G. Galuppi with Berkshire service. This Evensong will feature Redeemer’s all-girl Canterbury Choir, which includes students from Sarasota middle and high schools as well as St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton.

In addition to learning to read music, the girls who participate in Canterbury Choir become acquainted with classical choral literature and learn to sing in Latin, French, Spanish, German and Russian. Throughout the year during Sunday morning masses at Redeemer, this special choir sings anthems specifically written for female voices.

Redeemer Organist/Choirmaster Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe says, “Youth choirs throughout our community provide the opportunity for young people to receive not just a religious education, but a broad exposure to choral literature, language, and context for a lifelong appreciation of and involvement in history and the arts”

“Youth Evensong is Redeemer’s expression of profound gratitude for the youth of our parish and the community,” adds Stephenson-Moe, “as well as for the blessings of music.”

For many years, the Church of the Redeemer has nourished and supported an active Youth and Children’s music program, which is one of the most important outreach programs of the parish. The music education program for children and young people takes them from kindergarten through high school, beginning with the Cherubim Choir; the Westminster Choir for girls, grades 2-5; Redeemer Knights for boys, grades 2-5; and the audition-only Canterbury Choir, for girls aged 11 through high school senior year.