Music Ministry
The St. Mary’s Music Ministry is composed of six choirs and is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music.
If you have an interest in participating in one of our choirs, see the descriptions below and contact Gregory Hooker, Minister of Music.
Music Ministry
2025-2026
Musical Offerings
at St. Mary’s
Choral Evensong
for Saint Francis
October 5, 5:00 pm
An Arts Committee Reception follows the October 5 Choral Evensong featuring the opening of an exhibit in Merrow Fellowship Center of parishioner art works on themes related to St. Francis.
Choral Evensong is an entry into the spiritual realm of prayer through the beauty of music. The service is short, requiring little of the congregation but open ears and open hearts.
At the English Reformation the monastic daily offices of Vespers and Compline were combined into one service called Evening Prayer or Evensong for use in cathedrals and parishes. (The daily offices do not include a sermon or the Eucharist.) At Choral Evensong the choir takes a primary role in offering prayer and praise on behalf of the congregation. Because of the rich and vast corpus of music written for Evensong by composers across the centuries to our present day, Choral Evensong has become one of the glories of our Anglican tradition.
St. Mary’s Choir will lead the congregation in prayers, anthems, hymns, a psalm and canticles. Come support the choir and receive the spiritual blessing of Choral Evensong.
All Saints Choral Requiem
November 2, 5:00 pm
Gabriel Fauré, Requiem
with Choir, Soloists, and Orchestra
Remembering the Faithful Departed
A Reception follows in Paca Parish Hall.
Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 7, 5:00 pm
St. Mary's Choirs herald the season of our Lord's Coming.
A Reception follows in Paca Parish Hall.
An Epiphany Procession
Tuesday, January 6, 7:00 pm
St. Mary’s Choir leads a service celebrating the gifts of incense, water and wine in the ministry of Jesus Christ and includes the Procession of the Three Kings.
Eve of Candlemas
Choral Eucharist
Sunday, February 1, 5:00 pm
St. Mary’s Choir leads this Eucharist commemorating
the light of Christ and honoring our Altar Guild.
Organ Rededication,
Recital, and Demonstration
Sunday, February 22,
following the 10:00 am Service
Dr. Hooker plays a 20-minute recital in celebration of St. Mary’s 100th Anniversary and the completion of the final two sets of pipes in our organ followed by Coffee Hour in Paca Parish Hall.
Choral Evensong
Sunday, March 1, 5:00 pm
Followed by an Art Committee Reception in Paca Parish Hall.
Compline
Sunday, April TBD, 8:00 pm
St. Mary’s Schola sings the short, contemplative service in a beautiful, candlelit nave.
100th Anniversary Hymn Festival
Sunday, May 3, 5:00 pm
St. Mary’s Choirs leads this festive celebration of congregational singing with hymns on the theme of our patroness Mary, including a newly commissioned hymn for the occasion.
A Reception follows in Paca Parish Hall.
Fall 2026
100th Anniversary
Guest Artist Organ Recital
Date TBD
In Celebration of the completion of St. Mary’s Lively-Fulcher Organ and St. Mary’s 100th Anniversary
