A Lively Tradition of Music

Music touches our inmost souls, enabling us to know God’s presence in ways that mere words cannot. The Bruton Parish music program is blessed with a strong musical tradition, excellent resident musicians, and a wonderful pipe organ and harpsichord. We celebrate the centuries-old tradition of Anglican music, providing support to our liturgy and celebrating the gifts of the spirit.

Our music ranges from Renaissance masterpieces to 21st-century works. Our musical ensembles include the Chancel Choir, the Pelham Choir, the Joyful Noise Choir and Choristers, and the Bruton Handbell Choir. We also host more than 120 concerts throughout the year in our Candlelight Concert series.

The music program is under the direction of Dr. JanEl Will, director of music and organist, and Rebecca Davy, associate organist and choir director. We invite you to explore the many opportunities for children, youth, and adults to become involved in the life of our parish through music.

Dr. JanEl B. Will, Director of Music and Organist, has served Bruton Parish Church since 1995. She directs the Chancel Choir and the Bruton Handbell Choir, works with the children’s Chorister program, plays numerous organ and harpsichord concerts throughout the year, and oversees the Candlelight Concert series and the Peter Pelham Concert series of the parish.

She received the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Master of Music degree in both organ and harpsichord performance from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, her home state.

She has performed for conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society as well as at historic Methuen Hall in Boston. She also has played organ recitals in France and England and several states throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

Rebecca E. Davy, Associate Organist and Choir Director, began playing organ at age 10 and was playing for services in her home church in Washington state by age 11. After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Puget Sound, she earned two master’s degrees (in organ performance and music history) from the University of Southern California, where she also completed additional history and theory courses, concentrating on early 20th-century music. She then served several churches and temples before coming to Bruton in 2004.

She plays more than 30 organ and harpsichord recitals each year at Bruton and regularly performs with a variety of music organizations in the Williamsburg area. In her spare time, she and her husband keep busy raising their three children. 

 Also on our staff are:

James S. Darling, Organist-Choirmaster Emeritus

Genrose M. Lashinger, Joyful Noise Choir Director

Ann S. Porter, Chorister Choir Director

For more information about the Bruton Parish music program, including participation in Candlelight Concerts, please contact JanEl Will or Rebecca Davy .