Saint Mark's Cathedral Choir School 2025/26
Inviting young people to life-long growth as musicians, as liturgical leaders, and as beloved children of God.
How does my child join?
- Enrollment: Enroll your child using the online Choir School Registration Form. Enrollment is welcomed in September and January -- occasionally mid-year start dates will be determined by the Choir School staff. Please email us with questions: choirschool@saintmarks.org.
- Rehearsal: Almost all the choirs of the Choir School now rehearse on Wednesdays. Choir School families are encouraged to attend the Wednesday evening community dinner at 6 p.m. in Bloedel hall ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family). Adult family members may wish to attend the educational forum which follows dinner, 6:45–8:15 p.m.
- Calendars: View the Google Calendar here. View and download pdfs of the schedules here:
- Tuition: Tuition will be $200/semester for each chorister and can be paid through the cathedral website here. Scroll down to "Choir School Tuition" line. If tuition is a hardship for your family at this time, we can offer partial or full scholarships due to the generosity of some of our other families. Don't hesitate to ask. We want your children to sing!
- Class Piano: The Choir School also offers introductory Class Piano to children ages 5–8 on Wednesday afternoons, 4:30–5:30 p.m., September 17–December 10, 2025 (except Nov. 26). Tuition is $300 for the 12 classes. Junior Choristers can go from rehearsal directly to Piano Class and are given a snack. Register here.
"A cathedral chorister learns to sing, yes, but they also learn to pray with their whole bodies while seeds of our faith are planted deeply in their hearts. In our cathedral liturgies, choristers lead the people of the assembly with their voices, their demeanor, and their bodies. It is a rare thing in our world, that children serve in such a role of leadership while learning, growing, and laughing with one another.”
—Rebekah Gilmore, Choir School Director
JOYFUL NOISE
Registration for the next season—September 10 – December 10, 2025—is open.
JOYFUL NOISE is a new, play-based musical offering at Saint Mark’s Cathedral for BABIES, TODDLERS, and PRESCHOOLERS (and their chosen adults!) to explore sound, become rooted in the foundations of music theory, and develop key physical and social-emotional skills while in beloved community.
Classes are led by seasoned early childhood music educator, Elizabeth Antley who spent almost ten years developing a program called "School of Rock-a-bye Babies" in London.
Choirs of the Choir School
Junior Choristers
Children, 5 years and older, beginner level
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 3:30–4:15 p.m.
Senior Choristers
Children, intermediate level, determined by director
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 4:30–6 p.m.
Cathedral Schola
High school aged youth and changed-voice boys
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7:30–8:45 p.m.
Evensong Choristers
Selected Senior Choristers and Schola members, by invitation
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Junior Choristers
Children, 5 years and older, beginner level
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 3:30–4:15 p.m. (begins September 11, 2024)
Our youngest choir, where singers learn basic musicianship skills in a fun and engaging atmosphere. Their music is drawn from a variety of cultures and sung in a variety of languages. They sing primarily at the 9 a.m. Sunday morning service, usually on the first Sunday of the month.
Senior Choristers
Children, intermediate level, determined by director
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 4:30–6 p.m. (begins September 11, 2024)
Members receive small group instruction in musicianship, vocal technique, and liturgical ministry. This choir sings at the 9 a.m. Sunday morning services about twice a month, usually the first and third Sunday of the month.
Cathedral Schola
High school aged youth and changed-voice boys
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7:30–8:45 p.m. (begins September 11, 2024)
Members are expected to lead the Choir School in behavior and bearing, and receive advanced small group instruction in musicianship, vocal technique and liturgical ministry. This choir sings at the 9 a.m. Sunday Eucharist twice each month, usually the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Special events include: tours to local Parishes, Pentecost Run/Ride/Roll, coaching from regional and international choral ensembles, and more.
Evensong Choristers
Selected Senior Choristers and Schola members, by invitation
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Our most advanced Senior Choristers and Schola members sing monthly Evensong services along with auditioned adult choir members. Membership in the Evensong choir is by invitation only, and participation in the Senior Chorister choir or the Schola is required to be considered for the Evensong Choir. Learn more about the Evensong Choir here.
Why do we sing?
We make known the love of God and the beauty of God’s creation through song, learned from many cultures and many faith traditions.
Saint Mark’s Choir School singers are ministers of music. We aspire to teach, to learn, to inspire and to lead the varied communities of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, the Diocese of Olympia, and the city of Seattle through our work as liturgical ministers. All children are welcome in Saint Mark's Choir School.
What curriculum do we use?
Saint Mark’s is a member of the Royal School of Church Music in America (RSCM). The curriculum, based on RSCM’s Voice for Life, emphasizes well-rounded musicianship as well as life long growth in music and faith; vocal and ear training as well as theoretical knowledge; and ministry through liturgical leadership and community service.
Links:
- The Pageant of the Nativity
- Choir School Summer Camp
- Saint Mark's Cathedral Adult Choirs
- The Evensong Choir — an intergenerational choir including advanced Senior Choristers and Schola members (by invitation) along with auditioned adult singers.
- Compline + Choristers — a special service with The Compline Choir joined by Senior Choristers and Schola trebles, offered approx. every two years.