Music is integral to the worship life of Incarnate Word. Six choirs of various ages, a Recorder Consort, a quartet of professional singers, a music series centered around vespers, other instrumentalists, and an occasional dance troupe support a rich liturgical life.

We have five separate adult and children choirs, a Recorder Consort, an occasional brass group, and typically lead vocalists from the Eastman School of Music. Under the direction of James Bobb, music is an essential part of worship and ministry at Incarnate Word.

Instilling Christian knowledge, values, and worship habits while developing musical skills and literacy are the top priority of our music for young people. Organist James E. Bobb is Director of Music and directs three of the six choral ensembles and the Music Series.

Second Sundays... Plus Music Series

The Second Sundays...Plus Music Series began in 1981. This series presents a wide range of choral and organ music, an exciting avenue of cultural and worship enrichment for the community that attracts member and visitors alike. 

The Senior Choir, heard regularly at the 9:15 a.m. service, and the Professional Quartet, at the 11:30 a.m. Eucharist, have a repertoire that spans seven centuries and various cultural traditions. The Senior Choir has been lauded for chant and a capella singing. 

Youth, Boys, and Girls Choirs sing regularly at the 9:15 service. Two training choirs for younger children, Cherub and Alleluia Choirs, lay the foundation for singing, music reading and worship leadership skills. That foundation is expanded and built upon in the Boys and Girls Choirs which start the season with a fun three-day choir camp retreat on Keuka Lake. Read more about the children's choirs under SPIRIT. The choirs recess during July and August. 

The Holtkamp Organ

This impressive instrument has remarkable clarity and brilliance and is considered to be one of the finest pipe organs in Western New York. It  was created for us by the great organ-designer, Walter Holtkamp, Sr.

The three manual, 44 rank, 2000+ pipe instrument was constructed in 1964.  It is installed in the rear gallery and speaks directly down the center of the resonant brick nave, generating the most advantageous leadership for vigorous congregational singing.

The Holtkamp organ has supported, indeed to a large extent shaped, the entire musical character of Incarnate Word. Although current organ building trends have produced many vastly sounding instruments, our organ remains one of the most successful specimens by Holtkamp and is still compared quite favorably to many more acrid and aggressive new instruments.

Some regard it as one of the most visionary appointments that our founding members included in the building plans for our church. It can effectively (if not authentically) recreate a wider range of musical styles and timbres than any other acoustical instrument.

The Samuel Bohler Organ

Raymond Brunner completed restoration of the 1869 Samuel Bohler organ, and it has been delivered and installed the instrument. Many thanks to all who helped with unloading and set up, providing the organ builders with meals, and recording the event with video and photographs. Appropriate paint and trim will be selected at a later time.

This momentous occasion resumes our arrangement with the Eastman School of music to open our doors to organ faculty and students for lessons, classes, workshops, and practice at times our sanctuary is not normally in use. We also will host recitals, welcoming those in the community who share our passion for sacred music.