music
St. Stephen’s music program strives to inspire a closer relationship with god, fellow parishioners and our community.
St. Stephen’s Parish choir
The St. Stephen’s Parish Choir, under the leadership of Robert Brewer, sings for the 10:15 a.m. Sunday services, as well as special services throughout the year (Ash Wednesday, Easter Vigil, etc.). The choir is made up of both volunteers and staff singers. Their repertoire includes a variety of musical styles and time periods.
Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:10 am in the choir room. Anyone interested in singing in the choir should contact Robert Brewer (713) 269-9852.
Frank H. Kenan Memorial Organ
The organ in the Nave was made possible by the generosity of Thomas S. Kenan, III and his brother, the late Owen G. Kenan, in honor of their father, Frank Hawkins Kenan, a founding member of the church.
The organ was built in Zaandam, Holland by Flentrop Orgelbouw. After being shipped to the United States it was installed in the newly completed church building during the first six months of 1978. Hans Steketee, then president of Flentrop, designed the instrument and supervised its construction and installation. Fenner Douglass, well-known organist and organ scholar, served as a consultant.
Sitting in the balcony at the West end of the church the organ is a three manual, 47 rank tracker instrument of classical French design. For a complete stop list, click here.
musical instruments
In the Teer Chapel is a Flentrop chamber organ. It is a one manual mechanical action instrument without pedals. Its three stops are:
Bourdon 8’
Rhorflute 4’
Fifteenth 2’
The Chamber organ is used occasionally in Teer Chapel and the Church for services and concerts.
The church has a French double harpsichord made by William Dowd. It is modeled after an instrument in Versailles.
The Yamaha grand in the Nave was generously donated by the Kitchen family.
The church has a five octave set of Malmark handbells and a set of hand chimes.