Music | St. Mary Magdalene

Music at St. Mary Magdalene

Music Music Music

Music is an integral part of our worship every Sunday. In addition, the acoustics of the church are exceptional, and we are pleased to share the experience with the community by hosting a variety of musical events.

Choir

St. Mary Magdalene has a fine choral tradition, with a mixed (SATB) choir that leads the congregation in the singing of hymns and liturgical music for the principal Sunday service and for other special services as required. The choir often sings anthems. Several members of the choir take turns serving as the cantor, who chants the weekly Psalm. The choir currently has 17 members, several of whom can only attend intermittently, and some guest voices who are recruited for special occasions.

The choir rehearses on Thursday mornings September through June. For more information, please contact Helen Cluett: hcluett25stmm@gmail.com

Church Organ

St. Mary Magdalene is blessed with a beautiful organ installed by Casavant Frères of Quebec in 1914 and expanded in 1974. Pictures of the organ and selected performances of music can be found here.

Music Events & Festivals

In July and August, Music at Port Milford offers a series of concerts featuring internationally acclaimed musicians, and St. Mary Magdalene is the host venue. Sunday afternoon concerts conclude the Music camp's sessions, allowing the students to showcase their accomplishments. In September, St. Mary Magdalene is the host site for The PEC Chamber Music Festival concerts.

Music at Port Milford

Music Festival and Summer Academy
For 40 years, Music at Port Milford has been bringing promising 12-19 year-olds with a passion for chamber music together with an internationally renowned faculty to create an inspiring summer music experience in a camp-like setting.

The students learn together as they prepare multiple performances, many of which are offered to the community at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

The Festival runs throughout July and early August.

Prince Edward County Jazz Festival

The Jazz Festival brings a “robust, diverse, celebration of jazz, featuring the best of the best talent in Canada and abroad - as well as creating opportunities to showcase the wealth of local talent in PEC.”

In August we offer a Jazz Mass in collaboration with the PEC Jazz Festival. The church is always packed for this service, which combines our liturgy of Holy Communion with the freedom of jazz improvisation.

Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival

The New Orford String Quartet, artistic directors, has celebrated music and community in The County for 20 years. The Festival is a testament to the profound impact of the arts on a community, uniting music lovers and performers. The program brings together a harmonious blend of timeless classics and innovative works by living Canadian composers, many from our region showcasing the richness of our musical landscape. This series runs in early September.