Music Ministry
At Saint Paul UMC, music is more than just notes and rhythms—it’s an expression of our faith and community. Our musical ensembles play a vital role in our worship services each Sunday morning and evening. Whether you’re an experienced musician or just beginning, there’s a place for you in our music ministry.
The Saint Paul Choir
The Saint Paul Choir sings in worship most Sundays during the scholastic year and performs several additional concerts throughout the season. This dedicated group rehearses weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. We sing classical, gospel, jazz, and everything in between!
The Saint Paul Handbell Choir
The Handbell Choir generally plays in worship one Sunday per month during the scholastic year. This is a great way to get involved in music ministry if you have a little musical background but “singing” isn’t your thing.
If you’re interested in joining one of our ensembles or play an instrument and would like to contribute your gifts in worship at Saint Paul, please contact Dr. Mary Young, Director of Music. We are always looking to include more music-makers in our church community.
Music Staff
Dr. Mary Young
Director of Music and Worship Arts
Saint Paul UMC welcomed Dr. Mary Young as our Director of Music and Worship Arts in August 2025. Mary is a conductor, clinician, lecturer, singer, and pianist from Rochester, NY. She holds a BA in Piano Performance, an MA in Choral Conducting, and a DMA in choral conducting. She has conducted high school, collegiate, community, church, and children’s choirs.
Her primary field of research is Native American choral music and she enjoys working closely with Native composers and languages. She serves as co-editor of a Native American choral series with Hinshaw publishing, and founded the First Nations Choral Festival in March of 2023.
Mary completed 100 hours of research on underrepresented composers for the Institute for Composer Diversity. She also updated and expanded Dr. Marques Garrett’s list, ‘Beyond Elijah Rock: The Non-Idiomatic Choral Music of Black Composers’ while serving as the Diversity-In-Action intern for the New York Choral Consortium.
Music Highlights
First Friday Concert Series
Saint Paul UMC celebrates local musicians and artists on the first Friday of the month with concerts and displays. These concerts are FREE and open to the public. There is an optional light lunch served before and after the performance (11:30-12 and 1-1:30) for $5 per person.
All performances will be in the sanctuary at Saint Paul UMC (1144 M Street). Stop by over your lunch break and help us support local talent!