Under the direction of Choir Director Matthew Culloton, The Motet Choir offers weekly musical enhancement to the church community. The Motet Choir sings the Introit and two anthems during the worship service and collaborates with the Bach Chamber Players of St. Paul on extended choral works three to five times each year.
The Motet Choir and House of Hope members have commissioned and premiered dozens of new works over the years by composers like Stephen Paulus, James MacMillan, Anthony Piccolo, Gerald Near, and Frank Ferko. The most successful commissioned project in the choir’s history was Stephen Paulus’ church opera, “The Three Hermits,” a libretto by Michael Dennis Browne based on a story by Tolstoy. From this opera came Paulus’ anthem “Pilgrims’ Hymn,” one of the most recognizable a cappella works of the 20th century. The work was sung at the funerals of both President Ronald Reagan and President Gerald Ford, and it is widely recorded by choirs around the world.
Dr. Matthew Culloton conducts the Motet Choir and is the Founding Artistic Director of The Singers, a professional choir. He is a composer whose works have been commissioned by The Dale Warland Singers, Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, and numerous schools and universities around the country. With his twin brother, he co-edits “The Matthew and Michael Culloton Choral Series” with Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and he is the sole editor of the “Christmas with The Singers Choral Series.”
The Motet Choir welcomes new members any time. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7–9 p.m., and the ensemble meets on Sunday mornings to rehearse prior to the service. Interested singers should have previous musical experience. Contact Choir Director Matthew Culloton at MatthewC@hohchurch.org for more information.