At Good Shepherd, we appreciate and celebrate human artistic expression in its many forms, whether in service to our worship, as engaging elements of our formation programs, or in providing prayerful and reflective spaces. Beauty is an important theological concept – all beauty, whether natural or created, always points beyond itself to the source of all beauty: God. From the beginning of human existence, people have used artistic expression, whether as music, images, sculpture, or movement, as provocative means of revealing the greatest mysteries of the nature of God, the nature of humanity and creation, and the interrelationships between them.
Chris Oelkers, Director of Music and Organist
Jonathan Babcock, Choirmaster
Nathan Thompson, Music Associate and Staff Singer
Kellie Brewer, Director of Youth Choir
Matt Bradshaw, Director of Music at the Hill
Staff Singers: Katie O’Rear, Anarra Whitcher, Will Konitzer, Cassidy Wallace, Francis Nieves, Robert LeBas, Benjamin Apgar
The Good Shepherd Adult Choir leads worship at our 10:30a Sunday services in the church building and at special liturgies throughout the year. We draw on the very best of ancient, modern and world music, including works by local Austin composers. If you can sing well, are willing to work hard, and can commit to a rehearsal schedule, we welcome your participation. No audition is needed, and you are invited to sit in on a rehearsal at any time if you’d like to try us out. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings, in the Windsor choir room. For more information, please contact Chris Oelkers.
The Evensong Choir is a smaller ensemble drawn from the Adult Choir membership, offering Evensong on special feast days and solemnities during the church year. Evening prayer is the time when the church gathers to give thanks for the day that is ending, and Evensong is an expression of this. It is unique to the Anglican tradition and a treasure of our church’s heritage. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings, in the Windsor choir room. For more information, please contact Chris Oelkers.
Summer Choir is a great opportunity for members of the congregation with limited time to contribute to the musical life of the church. The summer choir sings and leads worship through the summer months (June to August). It is open to singers in middle school age and older, and no experience is necessary. Singers are encouraged to participate as often as their schedules allow. Rehearsals take place on Sunday mornings, in the Windsor choir room. For more information, please contact Chris Oelkers.
The Children’s Choir aims to foster a love of singing, musical skills to enjoy for a lifetime, and will feature performances in our worship services throughout the year. Children’s Choir is open to children in Kindergarten – 5th grades with no prior choir experience necessary. New members are welcome at any time. The Children’s Choir practices on Sunday mornings in the Windsor, children’s choir room. For more information, please contact Kellie Brewer.
Special concerts occur throughout the program year and feature a variety of performers, both vocal and instrumental. Past performers have included a folk choir from Eastern Europe, members of the Austin Symphony, classical guitarists, and others. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
Advent organ recitals are offered at 12:15p in the church building on Thursdays in Advent. Talented local organists offer seasonal music for Advent and Christmas in the beautiful Windsor campus church building. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
Lenten organ recitals are offered at 12:15p on Thursdays in Lent. Talented local organists offer seasonal music for Lent and Holy Week in the beautiful Windsor campus church building. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy the sounds of local and visiting artists from the Austin music scene. Music on the Hill is an opportunity for us to gather in fellowship and hear the tunes of artists from across the music spectrum. That’s why Music on the Hill events are a free offering to our community and neighbors. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
Communion Café is supported by the musical leadership of a live, acoustic band.
The Hill’s Sunday worship is supported by the musical leadership of a live, acoustic band. If you play an instrument and would like to join The Hill’s Angels, please contact Matt Bradshaw, Director of Music at the Hill.
