MUSIC FOR EVERYONE

Beautiful. Inspiring. Moving. That’s how people describe the Spirit-filled music at St. Mark’s. Musicians of all ages sing, play instruments, and ring bells so people experience a deeper connection with God. Many different kinds of ensembles and soloists enhance our worship, including vocal choirs, handbell choirs, and instrumentalists—even a Dixieland Band for our annual Mardi Gras service.  


We also have a strong commitment to music education. Music training is a part of all our children’s programs and at St. Mark’s Child Development Center. In addition, we offer private music lessons through our St. Mark’s Music Academy.


Take a look at the many music opportunities available to you and your loved ones.

  • THE lion's voice choir

    ADULT CHOIR

    SUNDAY, 9:00 A.M. SERVICE (DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR)

    THURSDAY, 7:00-8:30 P.M. REHEARSAL (DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR)


    The tradition of sacred choral music is alive and well at St. Mark’s. Our adult choir is an important part of our Sunday traditional worship service at 9:00 a.m., as well as all Festival Sundays, Holy Week, and Christmas Eve, plus an annual Christmas Cantata. Our choir provides musical leadership for services and enhances our spiritual life in songs that express our faith. In addition, an expanded Festival Choir makes a biennial European tour. (See “Musical Tour Opportunities” below).


    CONTACT: Kristin Young, Director of Worship & the Arts


  • HIGH SCHOOL PRAISE TEAM

    HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL GROUP

    SUNDAY, 10:30 A.M. CONTEMPORARY SERVICE

    SUNDAY, 11:30 A.M. REHEARSAL


    Our Praise Team, with vocals, drum, guitar, and keyboard, brings a blend of popular Christian music to our 10:30 contemporary worship service on Sunday mornings. The group is open to all high school students who love to sing and play instruments.


    CONTACT: Kristin Young, Director of Worship & the Arts

  • glory ringers

    HANDBELL CHOIR FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & ADULTS (DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR)

    TUESDAY, 7:00-8:30 P.M. REHEARSAL (DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR)


    St. Mark’s has a long tradition of handbell choirs and is privileged to own 65 bells (covering 5 octaves) plus 93 choir chimes. Glory Ringers play twice a month during Sunday services, plus Festival Sundays, Holy Week, and Christmas Eve. Their music covers a wide variety of styles, from gospel to contemporary to classical, and the group is open to any enthusiastic music lover.


    CONTACT: Sue Hilderbrand, Director of Handbell Choirs


  • joyous praise bells

    HANDBELL CHOIR FOR GRADES 6-8

    WEDNESDAY, 5:30-6:00 P.M. (DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR)


    The Joyous Praise handbell choir gives junior high students an opportunity to engage with musical instruments, learn enhanced music skills, and have fun doing it. They ring at least six times a year during Sunday worship services (and some occasional Saturdays). They rehearse on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., prior to the start of Confirmation Classes.


    CONTACT: Sue Hilderbrand, Director of Handbell Choirs


  • roaring ringers

    HANDBELL CHOIR FOR GRADES 3-5

    WEDNESDAY, 5:00-5:30 P.M. (DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR)


    For young children, ringing the bells is not only a lot of fun but it also teaches them rhythm, coordination, cooperation, and the joy of making music. Our youngest handbell choir rings at least six times a year during Sunday worship services (and some occasional Saturdays). They rehearse on Wednesday nights at 5:00 p.m., prior to the start of Faith in Daily Life (FDL) program.


    CONTACT: Sue Hilderbrand, Director of Handbell Choirs


  • FDL MUSIC

    GENERAL MUSIC EDUCATION, GRADES 1 THROUGH 5

    WEDNESDAYS, AS A PART OF FDL (DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR)


    Our music ministry goes beyond worship and extends to our children and youth. As a part of our Wednesday night Faith in Daily Life (FDL) program, we provide general music training. Using Orff instruments, resonator bells, percussion instruments, and singing, we teach rhythm, note reading, music symbols, terminology, and aural skills. The program is built on music that enriches children’s faith. It all comes together so that at the end of the school year, we put on a fun, faith-based musical production performed by all our FDL kids.


  • st. mark's music academy

    MUSIC LESSONS FOR ALL AGES


    Our Music Academy offers private music lessons in a welcoming, nurturing environment. The program runs year-round and is currently offering piano, voice, guitar, clarinet, and beginning band instrument lessons. There is a $35 registration fee, and lesson costs are determined between student and teacher. There are two recitals each year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring.


    CONTACT: Kristin Young, Director of Worship & the Arts


  • child development center music

    PRE-K MUSIC CLASSES

    Every Tuesday, three classes of children from the Child Development Center (St. Mark’s campus) head to the sanctuary for a 20-minute music lesson with Kristin Young, our Director of Worship & the Arts. Using Orff instruments, resonator bells, rhythm sticks, jingle bells, and percussion instruments, Kristin leads the children in song.


    AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC

    As a part of CDC’s School-aged After Care (SACC) program for children ages 6-12, Kristin Young, St. Mark’s Director of Worship & the Arts, leads two half-hour music training classes using Orff instruments, resonator bells., rhythm sticks, jingle bells, and percussion instruments. In addition to vocal training, the children rehearse and produce a faith-based musical each summer.


  • musical tour opportunities

    In July 2019, St. Mark’s Festival Choir will be participating in the Paris Chorus Festival commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. You are invited to join the tour either as a singer or a traveler. The choir will be performing on Monday, July 8th at the beautiful Cathedral of La Madeleine in the heart of Paris, where Gabriel Faure served as music director. The tour includes all the sights of Paris plus a memorable visit to the beaches of Normandy, where the choir will be singing at the American Cemetery.


    Click for more information on the Paris Chorus Festival tour.