Alive and Well: The Music of St. George’s (St. Catharines)

In the quiet aftermath of the pandemic, as doors reopened and hope cautiously returned, something stirred at St. George’s Anglican Church in St. Catharines. People came back—not only to worship, but to one another. And with them came the humanity of choral music. The Choir of St. George’s has re-grown out of this renewal shaped by the deeply human need to sing together, and what was once taken for granted has become precious again: singing together in community.

Today, the choir stands as a living expression of that renewal. Drawing singers and listeners from across the Niagara region, the ensemble is led by Director of Music Brad Barnham and includes thirty committed choristers and counting, supported by dedicated section leads and a widening circle of voices from the community. The music offered at St. George’s is chosen with care—repertoire that speaks to this congregation, in this time. Ancient and modern, familiar and new, the choir moves freely among classical, gospel, Renaissance, Victorian, folk, and contemporary traditions, singing with conviction and purpose, always in service of worship and to the glory of God.

At the heart of the choir’s life is collaboration. On feast days and special services, additional singers join, known as “Friends of the Choir,” enriching the sound and strengthening the bonds between church and community. These shared musical moments reflect a wider truth: that art flourishes where people are welcomed, invited, and heard, and this truth can be witnessed all across our region.

One of the most meaningful expressions of this spirit is the annual Remembrance Sunday Requiem. Each year, the choir undertakes one of the great works of the choral canon, offering music as a space for remembrance, grief, and reflection. Recent performances have included Requiems by Fauré, Bruckner, and Rutter. This past November, the choir presented Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest—a work that speaks tenderly to those who carry sorrow, even as it gestures toward hope. Joined by chamber orchestra, soloists, and Associate Organist Adam MacNeil, the choir offered a performance that many experienced as both a musical and spiritual touchstone. The full performance can be viewed by scanning the QR code:

Throughout the year, the choir’s presence continues to shape the rhythm of parish life. From the candlelit beauty of Lessons and Carols in December, to the solemn pilgrimage of Holy Week to the radiant joy of Easter morning—complete with brass and timpani—music carries the story forward. Each June, that same spirit finds joyful expression in Shine All Your Light, a colourful benefit concert celebrating the talents of local musicians and supporting the music ministries of St. George’s.