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Music

Throughout Ascension’s history, music of the highest quality has been a hallmark of our liturgy. The all-professional Ascension Choir, led by Choirmaster Benjamin Rivera, sings at the Solemn High Mass and monthly service of Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on Sundays from Michaelmas (September 29) through Corpus Christi (May or June). The choir also accompanies several Feast day masses throughout the year and a schola accompanies at mass during the summer months.

Ascension Choir HighlightsView choir repertoire

Organist and composer David White accompanies the Ascension Choir, serves as Organist and cantor for Sung Masses, offers monthly recitals in conjunction with Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and serves as organist for funerals, weddings and on other occasions.

Our parish musicians have numerous additional professional commitments beyond Ascension and are highly familiar with the professional music culture and opportunities in Chicago, the Episcopal Church, and beyond. They are available to field inquiries about singing in the choir, our repertoire, organ lessons or any other aspect of music ministry at Ascension and in the Episcopal Church.

Organ

The Schrader Organ, with 70 ranks over three manuals and pedal, was created and installed by the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York, in 1964; a new console was installed and some tonal alterations performed by the Berghaus Organ Company of Bellwood, Illinois, in 1984 and 2001—after which the instrument was named in honor of then-longtime organist Dr. David Schrader. The organ was in top shape for the 2006 American Guild of Organists National Convention, when the Church of the Ascension was the venue for performances by Russian organist Alexander Fiseisky and performance seminars by German organist Stefan Engels.

The most recent significant instrument project, also performed by Berghaus, spanned nine months in 2018-2019. It included replacement of all slider motors and the cleaning and refitting of all sliders (regulating air flow), restoration and tonal refinishing on eight ranks of reed pipes, and replacement of the console’s electronic infrastructure. Our 2019 Michaelmas Celebration included a recital by David Schrader and his titling as Organist Emeritus during a Choral Evensong at which the organ was rededicated by the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of Chicago. 

An article, photographs, and specifications are available here. This material is an excerpt from Dennis Northway's excellent Pipe Organs of Chicago. The Schrader organ continues to be maintained by Berghaus Organ Company.

Music Staff