Saint Mark's Cathedral Choir School 2024/25

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, 4:30–5:15 p.m., September 18–November 20, 2024. Tuition is $250 for the 10 classes. Junior Choristers can go from rehearsal directly to Piano Class and are given a snack.

Exciting things in the 2024/25 program year! 

Bishop's Installation & Seating: Our diocese welcomed our new bishop in the fall of 2024, and Rev. Phil LaBelle's Consecration and Installation service on September 14, 2024, included a thousand Episcopalians from around the diocese as well as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. The Sr. Choristers and Schola were invited to sing for this fantastic liturgy at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue—see the service here. The Evensong Choir participated in the liturgy of the Welcoming and Seating of the new Bishop in the cathedral the next day, September 15—see that service here.

Sr. Chorister & Schola Pilgrimage to Trinity Cathedral, Portland: The Sr. Choristers and Schola joined with the choristers of Trinity Cathedral, Portland and St. Paul's Episcopal in Burlingame, CA for a weekend of singing and fun January 31–February 2, 2025. a the second annual Youth Chorister Chorister Festival West. Participants and parent chaperones departed in the late afternoon on Friday, January 31 so kids didn't need to miss much or any school.

"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

Inaugural Season: WEDENSDAY, MAY 7 to JUNE 4, 2025. Registration is now 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 will be led by seasoned early childhood music educator, Elizabeth Antley (who we know as Saint Mark's Climate Justice Coordinator & Cathedral Grant Writer!), who spent almost ten years developing a program called "School of Rock-a-bye Babies" in London.

WHAT: JOYFUL NOISE music classes for babies, toddlers, & preschoolers

  • $100 for 5 weeks. Join any time!*
  • Bring a Friend and both pay $90/5 weeks*
  • partial scholarships available**

WHO: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers (birth-5yo) and their chosen adult accompaniment

WHERE: Room 102, Saint Nicholas Building, Saint Mark’s Cathedral Campus

WHEN: Wednesdays***—inaugural season May 7 to June 4, 2025

  • The Tiny Tones (birth–3 years) @ 4–4:45 p.m.
  • The Happy Harmonizers (3–5 years) @ 5–5:45 p.m.

WHY: The name says it all! Together, let’s bring the noise.

HOW: Register to participate here.

* Pro-rated session fees for late joiners.
** We want your child to join Joyful Noise irrespective of your ability to pay! Email confidentially to discuss partial scholarships.
*** Join Choir School choristers and Saint Mark’s community members of all ages at the beloved 6 p.m. Community Dinner following class.

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: