Music at Epiphany Update

It is well known to anyone who knows Epiphany that music is a priority in this parish. Epiphany is committed to providing the best music we can drawing on a wide range of genres and styles, from classical to contemporary, from plain song to polyphonic and everything in between. Epiphany has been blessed to have highly gifted musicians serving in the position of Organist and Choir Director. Finding the right match for Epiphany, especially with all the transitions that are ahead as the parish moves into its new home in the spring, is vitally important to making that transition as smooth as possible.

Because of this commitment to quality and variety, it will be important for Epiphany’s permanent Rector to have the opportunity to work with parish leadership and key stakeholders in choosing the right person to fill that critical role. To allow for the greatest flexibility possible, Epiphany will continue to have an Interim Organist and Choir Director until a new Rector is in place and has had some time to get to know the parish. To that end, I am very pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Rapp has agreed to a two-year contract with Epiphany to serve as Interim Organist and Choir Director.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Stephen has held Episcopal church positions at St.Paul’s on the Green, Norwalk, Connecticut and Christ’s Church, Rye, New York before serving St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stamford, Connecticut. He was also the Assistant Organist for over eight years at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York until March 2020. He has simultaneously been Director of Music and Organist at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the Bronx’s Little Italy where he just completed six years there this month.

In January 2021 Stephen came on board as the parish’s consultant for the Bigelow Opus 44 organ which is slated to be installed in the fall of 2023. His insights and suggestions have been invaluable as the parish works with the organ builder to create an instrument that will meet the many diverse musical needs of the parish. Stephen will begin as Interim Organist and Choir Director at The Church of the Epiphany on Monday, January 24.

Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree and performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Yale School of Music with certificates from the Institute of Sacred Music. In addition ,he studied at the Cologne Conservatory under the auspices of a DAAD (German Academic Exchange) grant and holds the AAGO (Associate of the American Guild of Organist) certificate. He is a noted collaborator and soloist at the organ, harpsichord and piano both in the US and abroad. In assisting with the drafting of this announcement, Stephen writes: “Please pray for me as I pray for Epiphany as you go through this exciting juncture in your parish’s life!”

Faithfully yours,

Roy+