Celebrating the Feast of St. Philip with Choral Evensong

The “Sounds at St. Philip’s” music series will premiere two new musical works on Friday, May 2 at 5:00 pm at a service of Choral Evensong at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 256 E. Main St. in Brevard. Admission is free and all are welcome.


This peaceful hour of Evening Prayer will commemorate the feast day of the church’s patron saint, Philip, and will be sung by the church’s Chancel Choir with organist Kate Murray under the direction of Dr. Brittnee Siemon.


Two new works commissioned for St. Philip’s by composer Jesse Kaiser will be offered for the first time: a setting of the Magnificat dedicated to the Reverend Elizabeth Roles, Rector of St. Philip’s, and an anthem called “Great Egret, the Sentinel” dedicated to the Reverend Judith A. Davis, who serves as adjunct clergy at the church and who wrote the poem that serves as the text for the anthem.


The May 2 service is the final Evensong in the “Sounds at St. Philip’s” music series for 2024-2025. These free community events are supported by generous gifts, and offerings received at the service will go to support the music ministry of St. Philip’s.

Jesse Kaiser, a composer and musician from Chapin, South Carolina who will be attending the service, has established and continues to build upon a diverse body of work. In 2022, he founded the Jesse Kaiser Ensemble, collaborating with local musicians to bring eclectic works of music to the concert stage. Jesse studied at the University of South Carolina with John Fitz Rogers, Fang Man, David Kirkland Garner (music composition), and Ari Streisfeld (violin). 


While at USC, he premiered several new works by fellow student composers and, in 2020, was awarded the John Lawrence McElyea Scholarship for his musical contributions to the school. Jesse is currently a cantor and choral scholar at the Basilica of Saint Peter in Columbia, South Carolina, and regularly performs with ensembles such as the South Carolina Philharmonic in Columbia, Vocal Affinity in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Sonus Chamber Choir in Topeka, Kansas. Outside of music, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, going out for Asian food, and watching his favorite YouTube channels.