Parishioner's gift keeps Church of the Redeemer's music program going

A half-million dollar gift from a parishioner will support Sarasota’s Church of the Redeemer’s renowned music program.

The Elizabeth Girvin Lindsay Music Endowment Fund was announced this week.

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“This incredibly generous gift will ensure that the music program at Redeemer flourishes well into the future,” said organist and choirmaster Sam Nelson, a prize-winning performer, conductor and arranger who held his first organist position at age 12. “It will also allow us to dream bigger than ever before, expanding our ability to offer powerful musical experiences to both our parishioners and the community, all to the glory of God.”

Lindsay, a longtime Redeemer parishioner, died in 2022. For decades, she served on the boards of several local nonprofits. She was also dedicated to her church, and she especially appreciated Redeemer’s focus on using the power of music. Two of her sons are active members of the Redeemer choir.

Redeemer’s music program offers training for school-age children through the Redeemer Choir School; two sung masses at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays with a full choir; and special services throughout the year for Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, ordinations and more.

“It’s abundantly clear that Liz loved her Lord and His Church, and she clearly wanted us to be a people always singing God’s praises,” said Fr. Charleston Wilson, rector of Church of the Redeemer. “The creation of the Elizabeth Girvin Lindsay Music Endowment is about more than enhancing our music — it’s about the transformative power of prayer and praise as we lift our hearts and voices in song.”