CHOIRS

Saint Mark’s Parish has had an active choir since its earliest days—the accompanying photo is from c. 1918, when the parish's church building was located on First Hill, Seattle.. The cathedral music ministry developed into its current form during the forty-year tenure of Canon Precentor Emeritus Peter R. Hallock (1924–2014). He served as organist and choirmaster from 1951 to 1991, and established Saint Mark’s national reputation in music, particularly through the Compline Choir, the installation of the Flentrop organ in 1965, and through Dr. Hallock’s influential musical compositions.

This tradition was carried on by the succeeding Canon Musician, Mel Butler, who served from 1992 until 2015. During his tenure, the scope of the musical offerings was expanded, particularly under the influence of Music Associate Dent Davidson, and the youth music program was developed into what is now the Saint Mark’s Cathedral Chior School under the leadership of Brian Fairbanks.

In 2015, following the retirement of Mel Butler, Michael Kleinschmidt began his tenure as Canon for Cathedral Music and in short order appointed Rebekah Gilmore as Associate Musician and Choir School Director (full-time), and John Stuntebeck as Associate Organist (part-time).

It is a principle dating back to the time of Peter Hallock that the cathedral's choral program, including the Compline Choir, is an all-volunteer ministry.

Several CDs have been produced by the choirs of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, and are available through The Gothic Catalog.