Music at St. Paul's Church

St. Paul's Episcopal Church has long regarded music to be an integral part of its liturgical expression. For years, the church maintained a choir of men and boys who sang regularly at services. The focus changed in the latter half of the twentieth century to an adult choir of professional and highly skilled amateur singers, with a reputation for high standards and beautiful music making. Today, the church boasts two choirs: an adult mixed choir, and a men's choir, who sing regularly at the Sunday Eucharists, Seasonal Thursday Evensongs, Monthly Complines and special performances throughout the year. 

The Organ at St. Paul's is the culmination of additional work over the years from the original. It is divided into two main divisions, the front organ and the antiphonal organ, consisting of approximately 80 ranks with a console of five manuals. The original organ was built by the preeminent American organ company, Hook and Hastings in the late nineteenth century.

The St. Paul's Choir is a dedicated group of professional and skilled amateur singers who perform an impressive repertoire of music drawn from the Anglican heritage. The Choir sings music drawn from over five centuries and is committed to performing works of modern day liturgical composers. In addition to singing on Sunday mornings at the 10:15 a.m. liturgy, the Choir sings throughout the year at various musical events and is most noted for their annual Christmas celebration of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in December.

Paulus Cantus is a new addition to the roster of choirs at St. Paul's. It consists of ten men who focus on the service of Compline. The word compline is taken from the Latin completorium or completion.  It is a service of reflection, peace, and contemplation for the end of the day.  This service takes place on the last calendar Sunday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Jerrad J. Fenske moved from New York City to become the Music Ministry Director of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Milwaukee.  He has his BA in Church Music from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, his MM in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in California, and began his Doctoral work in Vocal Performance and Literature at Indiana University in Bloomington, where he studied with Giorgio Tozzi and Martina Arroyo.  In Manhattan he performed as singer, conductor, organist, and accompanist while being the Founder and Artistic Director of the Kips Bay Concert Series.  He has been a recitalist and soloist across the United States performing works of Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner and Alban Berg.  Specializing in German Repertoire, he is a graduate of the Deutsche Schule für Sängern at Middlebury College in Vermont. He is also on faculty at Cardinal Stritch University where he teaches voice and conducts the Cardinal Stritch University Concert Choir.

To schedule an audition for any of the choirs, please call the Music Director, Mr. Jerrad J. Fenske, 414-276-6277 x16, or click here for complete contact information.

To learn more about our music ministries, click here.