Sing along with us!
Led by conductor James John, artistic director of the Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble, headlamp-clad singers will walk a route through the Upper West Side to sing medieval melodies once sung on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Pilgrimage schedule:
3pm - Arrive at St. Paul and St. Andrew, 263 W 86th Street @ West End Avenue
3:30pm - Depart for caroling
4:30pm - Arrive at St. Michael’s Church, 225 W 99th Street @ Amsterdam Avenue
5:00pm - Event concludes
The procession will culminate with a performance of “Whatever Happens Next” by award-winning British composer Pete M. Wyer. This new work is the evolution of “Street Motet No. 1” which was commissioned by Make Music New York for the 2024 Make Music Winter celebrations and is a ‘motet’ in the broadest sense — not a religious piece per se, but a meditation and a blessing of good wishes to NYC residents.
Singers of all skill levels are invited to join, from beginners to early music specialists; everyone is welcome, so don’t be shy! Dress warmly, in layers, and bring only what you can carry with you. Music scores will be provided.
To register to participate, please fill out this form
Pete M. Wyer is an award winning composer from England committed to experimentation and innovation. He has been recognized for visionary work, receiving numerous commissions from organizations across the UK and USA. Through his creation of Time Structured Mapping and innovations in spatial audio, he is widely regarded as one of the most pioneering composers of his generation.
James John is in his 13th season as Artistic Director of Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble. He is also Professor of Conducting and Director of Choral Activities at the Aaron Copland School of Music (ACSM), Queens College-CUNY, where he directs the Queens College Vocal Ensemble and Queens College Choral Society and heads the graduate program in choral conducting.
Located at the corner of West 86th Street and West End Avenue, St. Paul & St. Andrew puts love into action every day. A vibrant, justice-driven congregation, we work alongside our community and interfaith partners and neighbors to advance our longstanding commitment to radical welcome and service, especially to New Yorkers who are poor or marginalized. Our landmarked 1897 building is the engine of that mission: a center for creativity, collaboration, and community care.
These spaces hum with activity. Inside our doors, more than 200 performances and cultural events (and countless rehearsals) take place each year, from Off-Broadway shows in our 72-seat black box theater to full orchestras and choruses of 100 in our 1,000-seat sanctuary. Artists, neighbors, and emerging performers rely on our building as an accessible and inspiring home for the arts.
Protecting this crucial cultural and community resource requires urgent investment. Replacing our original Spanish tile roof as part of the church's $5.5 million dollar capital campaign is essential to safeguard the highly used spaces beneath it, ensuring that St. Paul & St. Andrew can continue to offer a welcoming home for music, theater, and community programs today and for generations to come. Your support helps keep these spaces safe, vibrant, and alive with creativity for the countless artists who bring joy and connection to our city.