Choirs of St. Mark's

Adult Choirs

The St. Mark’s Parish Choir is an ensemble of 35 - 40 dedicated enthusiastic volunteer singers who, along with a few staff singers provide music for the majority of the liturgies weekly and for special services in Advent, Holy Week and Choral Evensong. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. or 4:00 -5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Regular attendance at one of these two rehearsals is mandatory for participation in the choir.

Our Schola Sacra provides singers the opportunity to participate in small ensemble singing of more complex accapella anthems and as cantors for psalmody and special liturgical needs.

Made up of members of the choirs and other friends and parishioners, the St. Mark’s Chorale gives those who are unable to sing for the entire year a chance to participate in several special projects in the season. These events include music for a Sunday morning liturgy in the fall, a Christmas concert, and a choral concert in the spring. Rehearsal six to seven weeks before an event is required.

Choirs for Children and Youth

Registration Form

The Youth Choir meets on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and explores a wide range of musical styles including Taizé, New Age, and Gospel. This ensemble is for young adults13 years and older. The Chapel Choir sings monthly during the 10:00 a.m. service and helps lead our 6 p.m. Eucharist with music of Taizé.

Boy & Girl Choristers who number 15-25, are singers in grades three through six or seven who rehearse on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. This choir sings once or twice a month at the 10:00 a.m. liturgy, and in every major celebration of the Church. These young people are given the opportunity to strengthen their treble (unchanged) voices. Using a course developed by the Royal School of Church Music these young singers learn basic music reading skills, beginning music history and theory and are provided a more extensive general knowledge of our church and its liturgies. In addition to traditional music for one and two-part treble choir, the Choristers team up with the Parish Choir and Youth Choir for special anthems.

Joyful Noyze accommodates children in Kindergarten through Second Grade. They are guided in the discovery of their individual voices through speech, rhythm, singing games and regular participation in the worship life of the Parish. This energetic group meets on Tuesday from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m., and sings once a month at the 10:00 a.m. service, frequently teaming with the Cherub Choir.

Please fill out a choir registration form for each singer. For photos of the children's choirs, please click here.

St. Mark’s Handbell Choir

St. Mark’s is blessed to possess five octaves of Handbells cast at the White Chapel Bell Foundry in England. We utilize the bells in liturgies for Psalms and Fanfare. In addition, hand bell groups have come together to practice for a limited number of rehearsals before major feasts including Christmas and Easter. This fall we will offer a Handbell Choir for all ages, which will rehearse on Thursdays from 6:15-7:00pm. Previous musical experience is not necessary and “hesitant ringers” are more than welcome.

Choir Schedules

The current choir schedules are as follows:

Parish Choir: Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. or Saturdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Schola Sacra: Scheduled as needed.
St. Mark’s Chorale: Scheduled as needed.
Youth Choir: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Boy & Girl Choristers: Wednesdays, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Joyful Noyze: Tuesdays, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Handbell Choir: Thursdays, 6:15 – 7:00 p.m.

Please email B-P Thomas if you would like more information about the music programs offered at St. Mark's.

2008 Annual Father's Day Chorus

Brian-Paul Thomas invites all the men of the parish - boys, dads, grandpas, uncles - to be a part of this wonderful annual tradition on Father's Day. You don't have to read music or even be able to sing to partake; a one hour rehearsal at 9:00, will get you singing robust hymns and anthems at 10:00, to the delight of the parish.