Music plays a vital role in the liturgy and community of Saint Mark’s. We invite you to explore our various musical offerings.

If you are interested in receiving periodic notices about the musical offerings at Saint Mark’s, we invite you to become one of our Friends of Music at Saint Mark’s.

Saint Mark’s Choir

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The Saint Mark’s Choir endeavors to give praise to God by singing the finest liturgical music at the highest possible level. Repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to the present day (sample repertoire list). Composed primarily of volunteers, the choir welcomes adults and high school-age singers who are able to make a regular commitment of time for rehearsals and services.

The choir sings for the principal Holy Eucharist each Sunday morning from September to May. The choir also provides music for numerous special services throughout the year, including services of Choral Evensong; a service of Advent Lessons and Carols in December; Christmas Eve; Ash Wednesday; and the Paschal Triduum during Holy Week (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter).

The group periodically travels, both nationally and internationally. The choir has sung at Washington National Cathedral on several occasions and at St. Thomas Fifth Avenue in New York City. In August 2012 the group served as choir-in-residence at Worcester Cathedral in England, providing music for daily services throughout its residency week. The choir returned to England in summer 2015 to be choir-in-residence for a week at Lincoln Cathedral and again in July 2022 to be choir-in-residence for a week at Wells Cathedral.

Interested singers are invited to contact the Director of Music at directorofmusic@saintmarkscolumbus.org to arrange a meeting.

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:30–9:15 p.m.

Canterbury Choir

The Canterbury Choir is the children’s chorus at Saint Mark’s. Open to boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14, the group aims to instill a lifelong passion for singing and for traditional choral music while inspiring young people to service in the church and in the community. The choir is open to all members of the community, regardless of religious affiliation, and there is no cost to participate. No musical background is required.

The Canterbury Choir season runs from September to May. Throughout the season the group rehearses weekly on Wednesday afternoons and sings monthly for the 10:30 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist on the first Sunday of every month. Choristers are asked to make a commitment of regular attendance at rehearsals and services.

New choristers who have a limited background in music may begin in the Saint Nicholas Choristers, a training program that orients new singers in preparation for the Canterbury Choir. Novice choristers learn about correct breathing and use of the vocal mechanism; how to match pitch and read a musical score; how to process and recess; and how to participate fully in the liturgy.

Contact Dr. Matthew Bester at directorofmusic@saintmarkscolumbus.org for more information.

Music Series 2026-27

 

Saint Mark’s maintains an active series of special services and concerts, including services of Choral Evensong and our annual Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols.

 

Solmen Choral Evensong for the 75th Anniversary of the congregation – Saint Mark’s Choir

Sunday October 4 at 4 p.m.

 

Solemn Choral Evensong for All Saints’ Sunday – Saint Mark’s Choir

Sunday November 1 at 4 p.m.

 

Choral Eucharist for the Feast of Christ the King – Saint Mark’s Choir

Sunday November 22 at 10:30 a.m.

 

A Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols

Sunday December 6 at 4 p.m.

 

Holy Eucharist with Christmas Pageant for the Eve of the Nativity – Canterbury Choir

Thursday December 24 at 5 p.m.

 

Solemn Holy Eucharist for the Eve of the Nativity – Saint Mark’s Choir

Thursday December 24 at 11 p.m.

Preceded by Carols for Choir and Congregation at 10:30 p.m.

 

A Service of Light in the Taize Tradition

Sunday January 10 at 5 p.m.

 

Choral Evensong – Saint Mark’s Choir

Sunday March 7 at 4 p.m.

 

Holy Week at Saint Mark’s

Palm Sunday: March 21, 10:30 a.m. (Saint Mark’s Choir)

Maundy Thursday: March 25, 7:30 p.m. (Saint Mark’s Choir)

Good Friday: March 26, 7:30 p.m. (Saint Mark’s Choir)

Great Vigil of Easter: March 27, 7:30 p.m. (Saint Mark’s Choir)

Easter Sunday: March 28, 9 a.m. (Canterbury Choir)

Easter Sunday: March 28, 11 a.m. (Saint Mark’s Choir)

 Choral Evensong- Canterbury Choir

Sunday May 16 at 4 p.m.

 Choral Matins with Holy Eucharist for Trinity Sunday – Saint Mark’s Choir

Sunday May 23 at 10:30 a.m.

Special Music Fund

The Music Series at Saint Mark’s is supported by the Special Music Fund. Donations may be made at concerts and special events or online HERE.

Learn more about our organ here.