Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church

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S. Blake Duncan

S. Blake Duncan is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Music Department at Bradley University teaching double reeds, music appreciation and music technology. Additionally he is the director of the Bradley Collegium Musicum. Since 1995 he has also served as oboe instructor, chair of the woodwind faculty and as the Victor H. Mattfeld Director of the Collegium Musicum with the Lutheran Summer Music Program. He holds the Solo English horn chair with the Peoria Symphony Orchestras, is the solo oboist with the Peoria BachFest and performs with the Prairie Ensemble Chamber Orchestra as principal oboe. In addition, he performs with the professional double reed quartet WiZARDS! which has just completed its fourth CD.

Mr. Duncan has appeared as a soloist with both the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. His extensive orchestral experience includes English Horn appointments with the Caracas (Venezuela) Philharmonic, the Illinois Symphony, the Cedar Rapids Symphony, the Mansfield and Akron (OH) Symphonies and Principal Oboe with the Binghamton Symphony, Tri-Cities Opera and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. He has studied with some of the nation's leading oboists/English Hornists including Lawrence Thorstenberg, Bert Lucarelli, John Mack, Nancy Ambrose-King and Felix Kraus. He has served on the faculties of Binghamton University, the Cape Cod Conservatory and continues to teach privately.

An Ordained ELCA pastor, he is currently the Director of Music, organist and choirmaster at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Bloomington, and also serves a Chorusmaster for both Sugar Creek Festival in Watseka, IL and Opera Illinois, with whom he recently served as music director and conductor for their fall ’05 production of HMS Pinafore. Finally, Mr. Duncan is a founding member and director of the Peoria Early Music Ensemble.

We would welcome your participation and for further information please contact Mr. Duncan.

The St. Matthew’s Adult Choir

Leads the 10:00 Eucharist every Sunday, sings two anthems each week, and is an integral part of the Liturgy utilizing a wide variety of music from traditional to contemporary. The membership of this choir is open not only to adults, but also to youth grades 8 through 12. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 7:15 PM throughout the academic year.

The St. Matthew’s Children’s Choirs
The Cherub Choir: For children grades K through 3; will rehearse on Wednesday evening at 5:30 PM throughout the year. This choir will sing during worship at least monthly and will participate in the May Children's Choir Musical.

The Jubilate Choir: For youth grades 4 through 6; will rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 5:45 PM throughout the year. This choir will sing during worship at least monthly and will participate in the May Children's Choir Musical.

The Jubilate Chimes: For youth grades 4 through 10; this choir chime ensemble will rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM throughout the year and will perform regularly during worship. At times they will perform with the Handbell choir.

The St. Matthew’s Handbell Choir
Is an ensemble which, in addition to regular worship participation for Sunday morning 10:00 and festival services, often joins with other choirs in special works. Rehearsals are held immediately following worship on Sunday mornings at 11:30 and membership is open to youth, grades 10 through 12, in addition at adult.

St. Matthew’s Instrumental Ensemble
This is an ensemble for anyone who plays an instrument. The ensemble performed the accompaniment for the Children’s Choir Musical David and the Giants in May of 2004. This year there are plans for them to perform a couple times during the year. The ensemble is open to anyone who plays an instrument, grades 6 through adult. The rehearsal schedule is TBA.

St. Matthew’s McEvers Organ
Built in 1969-70 by James McEvers, now of the McEvers Organ company, this organ contains 58 ranks, 4 divisions plus pedals with a 3 manual console. One of the most unique features of the construction of this instrument was the active parish involvement in the actual construction of the instrument. The building of this organ was truly a community event! Another of the most striking features of this instrument is the Trumpet Rex which stands out in front of the Great Chamber. The design of the placement of this rank of trumpet pipes is unique to the St. Matthew’s organ. During the summer of 2003 the organ was renovated by Levson Organ Co.

The Musical Offering
Preceeding each 10:00 service instrumentalists grades 8 through adult are invited to particpate in the Muscial Offering. This may take the form of a solo work played with or without accompaniment, or a chamber ensemble of several players. If you would like to participate speak to the music director.