Music Program
Our musical life is strong and vibrant at St. Barnabas, featuring both a robed, Anthem Choir and an Open Sing Program. These two groups combine forces to sing in four- part harmony each week during the service, and in rehearsal at 9:15 AM. Anthems are often sung a capella and are selected to represent a diverse array of composers and arrangers, while still giving members a chance to sing their favorite melodies. Those interested in a warm-up before the 10 AM service are invited to arrive at 9 AM and participate in a 15-minute vocal warm-up led by Music Director and Organist Jesse Goldberg, who is a trained vocal coach (see her bio below).
Our robed Anthem Choir members participate in the service procession and recession, and they sit in special pews at the front of the church to participate in the service with special attention to their musical offerings. The Open Sing Program welcomes any attendee seated in the congregation to join with the robed choir in rehearsal, as well as for choral anthems during the service, including during Offertory or Communion. This way, they can sit where they choose for most of the service and return there once the anthem is completed.
Parishioners who stay for post-service coffee hour are welcome to attend a second rehearsal around 11:30 AM during which Jesse previews the music for the upcoming week as well as any other special musical events that may be on the horizon.
In addition to the choral experience, our Music Director offers free, one-on-one vocal coaching sessions to parishioners of all levels who may be wondering what their voice type really is, want to work on specific music, or just want to enjoy hymn singing with a bit of technical instruction. A weekly sign-up is available to all members of the congregation.
ABOUT OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR:
Jesse Goldberg is a passionate collaborative pianist, educator, and administrator based in New York City. She has worked with vocalists and instrumentalists at many, diverse venues in the City, including Carnegie Hall, the German Consulate, the Czech Cultural Center, the Roxbury Arts Group, the Fisher Center, Juilliard’s Paul Hall, as well as theaters in Italy, Greece, and Brazil.
In addition to collaborating with both singers and instrumentalists, Jesse enjoys working with composers in the new music scene. In this capacity, she has premiered several song cycles at festivals that include Fordham Lincoln Center’s Voices Up and the Mannes Sounds Festival.
As a founding member of a New Music Collective at Bard College, she has premiered instrumental works at SUNY Purchase, Bard, and other venues in the Hudson Valley region. Jesse performed the music of Robert Carl on the CD “New Heartbeats” released in 2021 and was described as a “superb partner” in that recording by Fanfare magazine. As one half of the Zaffre Duo, she and her percussion partner commission and perform works from both local composers and international colleagues. She accompanies recitals and lessons at Mannes, Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard Evening Division, and Bard, while also maintaining a robust private teaching studio.
Jesse received her Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from Mannes School of Music, completed an Artist’s Certificate in Collaborative Piano at Bard College’s Conservatory, and holds a BA in Anthropology, Literature, and Music from Bard. In addition to her role as Music Director and Organist at St. Barnabas, she also is the Director of Special Events and Donor Stewardship at Manhattan School of Music, and the accompanist for the Westchester Choral Society.
