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Closer with Song

Music is central to the cultures of all civilizations, from the most primitive to the most advanced. The instruments may differ, and the sounds they produce, but there is a common denominator: Music appeals directly, without the need for explanation or translation. Its attraction is spiritual and emotional rather than intellectual.

At St. James’, music is integral to our services and liturgy. Though it is entirely normal to have prayer and other services without music, the extra dimension of music enhances our appreciation and understanding of our spiritual experiences.

Watch as the St. James’ Compostela Choir sings the Introit and Kyrie from Maurice Durufle’s Requiem during the November 3, 2014 service of Choral Eucharist for All Souls’ Day.

Adult Choirs
Help lead worship as a member of our adult choirs!
Children & Youth
Learn more about our chorister program for children & youth!
Bicentennial Organ
Learn more about St. James' Bicentennial Organ!
Music Staff

Meet the people with St. James’ who make the musical programs work!

Interim Director of Music, Organist

Vaughn Mauren

A lifelong Episcopalian, Vaughn Mauren began his musical career as a treble chorister and graduated from Trinity College (Hartford) and the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music. Since then, he has held positions at Christ Church Bronxville and St. James’s West Hartford. At St James’s he oversaw a major organ project, developed a popular concert series featuring international artists, and led the choir on a summer tour of England. He has conducted several chamber operas and major choral works, including the Brahms Requiem. Beyond his deep passion for choral and organ music, Vaughn is an active professional pilot and flies out of Westchester and Teterboro airports.

212-774-4233

vmauren@stjames.org

Associate for Children’s Choirs

Marisa Curcio

Marisa has been a soprano in the Compostela Choir since September 2021, and joined the staff as Director of Communications in February 2022. Originally from near Saratoga Springs, NY, she relocated to Princeton, NJ for school at Westminster Choir College, earning a B.M. in Music Education and a B.M. in Sacred Music. Previously, she worked at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia as their Associate for Communications, where she facilitated a website build, oversaw the implementation of new live-streaming equipment, and helped the parish feel connected in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by making worship services available weekly. In addition to her work in communications, she is a professional choral singer and teacher, singing all over NY, NJ, and PA (sometimes all three in one day!) and maintaining a private studio of fifteen voice, piano, and strings students at a Central NJ music school.

mcurcio@stjames.org

212-774-4279