Music at St. Mark's is an integral part of worship, enhancing the second service each Sunday
and on all church holy days except in the summer months. The choirs also sing four special services each year.

Music for worship falls into several categories: preludes, voluntaries, and postludes played by
the organist for inspiration; hymns and service music for the choirs and congregation; Offertory anthems sung by the choir, and occasional communion voluntaries by the choirs to enhance the congregation's worship during the service. Hymns and service music are drawn from the 1982 Hymnal with selections of sung pieces made in connection with scriptural readings appointed for the service. The vocal music program is supported by a Stuart tracker organ and by a piano. During Lent in recent years, junior high and high school aged musicians presented preludes and communion voluntaries on piano as well as stringed and brass instruments.

St. Mark's belongs to the Royal School of Church Music and subscribes to its methods of
chorister training adapted for Americans.

St. Mark's employs two musicians. Mary Rector serves as Music Director and directs the
choirs. Alan Wingard is the organist. The Adult Choir averages sixteen members each week
and sings accompanied and a cappella music in four parts.

The Adult Choir practices weekly and sings every Sunday during the winter schedule of
services. Membership is open to any adult with some ability and interest in being part of the
ensemble. Willingness to listen and to learn music in ensemble are more important than
soloist-quality sound.

The Choir of Young Voices (CYV) is open to boys and girls third grade and older who can read some difficult words, pass a vocal audition, and meet attendance requirements. Attention span is also important. During the winter schedule, CYV practices weekly and sings monthly separately and with the Adult Choir.

In September 2002, members of both choirs and their families traveled to Washington D. C. to sing at the National Cathedral as part of the celebration of State of Maine Day.

The youngest members of our parish also participate in singing songs as part of the Christian Education program, and they share their music with the parish on occasion throughout the school year

Special Events. On September 27, 2003, St. Mark's hosted the Christ Church Cathedral Choir, from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. The visiting choir sang a service of Evensong on Saturday and joined the St. Mark's choirs for a choral Eucharist for the Sunday service. It will be our pleasure to travel from Maine to Fredericton in the fall of 2004, to visit the Cathedral, sing a service of Evensong on September 25, 2004, and join the Cathedral Choirs in the Sunday Service on September 26, 2004.

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