Music Programs
Don Kerr, music director, rehearsing the choir
Music is Worship
Music at St. Mark’s is an integral part of our 10:15 AM liturgy. The people in the pews are the principal musicians. There is an especial emphasis on those parts of the service that require congregational singing of hymns, psalms, canticles, and songs of praise such as the Gloria or Sanctus. While the Hymnal 1982 is the principal source of music at St. Mark’s, we use a wide variety of the very best in music of many styles and periods, ranging from Gregorian chant to pieces composed as recently as 2016. Each Sunday, the congregation is provided with a user friendly Order of Service designed to make participation in words and music easy for everyone, including visitors and newcomers.
Sing Joyfully
The Choir’s first responsibility is to help all worshippers achieve full engagement in what is sung and in what is said in the service and to set the tone suitable to the occasion. They also enrich the service and the worship experience of the whole community by singing appropriate anthems and motets at various points in the Liturgy. Although they have a specialized ministry in the church as do readers, acolytes, and greeters they also are part of the worshipping community.
The Choir always welcomes new singers, offering a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment for friendships new and old, promoting a broadening of musical horizons, and enriching lives with the joy of making music. All that is required of singers is the ability to carry a tune, the willingness to participate as a team member, and the determination to commit a reasonable amount of regular time to the group, regardless of previous experience or church affiliation. Many of our singers choose to sing for an entire year, some for one or two seasons such as Advent and Christmas or Lent and Easter, while others choose to sing with us as their personal schedules and obligations permit from week to week. Whatever the case, the choir is always open to anyone who is interested in participating. The choir rehearses every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30 PM and sings at the 10:15 service each Sunday from September to early June. They also occasionally sing Evensong and special services or concerts throughout the year, as well as on Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week.
Share the Joy!
Musical outreach opportunities have included singing at the Washington National Cathedral, The Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland, and Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. More recently, the St. Mark’s choir invited members of other area church choirs to sing with them in an ecumenical Service of Lenten Music and Readings.
To learn more or to express interest in singing at St. Mark’s, contact the Music Director, Don Kerr.
