St. Paul’s music director David Macfarlane with members of his choir. Photo provided
By Janis Fontaine
The music ministry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has been bringing well-loved classical and chamber music to Delray Beach for more than 30 years, and the church has provided accomplished musicians with a venerable venue: the acoustically perfect parish hall.
In January, David Macfarlane will celebrate his one-year anniversary as director of the church’s music ministries. On Dec. 12, the church hosted its popular “Festival of Lessons and Carols” to a full house.
“We all felt the promise of a rebirth, like a weight lifting off of us,” Macfarlane said. “Tears were shed.”
The church continues to follow the diocese leadership where the coronavirus is concerned, so the choir continues to wear masks even while performing. “It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant, but I believe we present a model for others, so we follow the guidelines the church has set,” Macfarlane said.
Everyone has sacrificed in the name of caution.
“I’m 63 years old and 2020 was the first time I didn’t go to church on Christmas Eve,” Macfarlane said.
He was raised in the Lutheran church, and he began playing the organ in church in the eighth grade.
Macfarlane earned a degree in organ performance from the University of Illinois, a master’s from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music and a doctorate from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he received the Elizabeth Wyckoff Durham Award for keyboard performance.
His career includes 18 years as the director of music and organist at the First Presbyterian Church in Englewood, New Jersey, and 10 years at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Macfarlane admits he had his eye on St. Paul’s position for a while. He bought a vacation condo in Oakland Park years ago and knew about the legacy of music at St. Paul’s. But when the position opened up a few years ago, Macfarlane wasn’t ready. His two sons (foster children he adopted) were still teenagers and he didn’t want to uproot them.
Now they’re 23 and 25 and out on their own. The timing was right. “I feel it was fated,” Macfarlane said.
The classical and chamber music for which the ministry is known is a passion for the organist.
“I believe it’s an example of ‘bring your best to God,’” he said. “Music is an art but it’s also an educational tool we can use to reach people.”
Macfarlane still lives in Oakland Park and makes the 25-minute drive to Delray Beach for work. He shares his condo with a rat terrier mix he rescued in 2021.
This year’s schedule features returning favorites and some new performers. The Delray String Quartet returns as the artists-in-residence. Other familiar faces include pianist Roberta Rust, Duo Beaux Arts, the Con Brio Quartet and the Girl Choir of South Florida. The finalists of the Lynn University chamber competition will perform. New this year will be the Palisades Virtuosi, a flute, clarinet and piano trio, a favorite of Macfarlane.
• “Mozart Juxtaposed,” featuring Rust on piano: 3 p.m. Feb. 13. $20. Free for 18 and younger.
• DSQ in the Round: Child Prodigies: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25. Featuring the Delray String Quartet. Seating is arranged 360 degrees around the performers in the parish hall. Reserved seating $60 and $50.
• Choral Evensong for the First Sunday in Lent: 5 p.m. March 6. Featuring the Chancel Choir of St. Paul’s and Macfarlane.
• DSQ in the Round: A Princess and a Bird: 7:30 p.m. March 25. Featuring the Delray String Quartet. Reserved seating $60 and $50.
• Lynn University Conservatory of Music 2022 Chamber Music Competition finalists: 3 p.m. April 3. $20. Free for age 18 and younger.
St. Paul’s is at 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. 561-276-4541; https://stpaulsdelray.org.
Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Contact her at fontaine423@outlook.com.
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