Choral Evensong

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, OCTOBER–JUNE, 4:30 P.M., in person in the cathedral nave, and livestreamed

The ancient practice of singing evening prayers is a longstanding practice in many Christian traditions. In English cathedrals, this practice developed, through the centuries, into a special sung service, and today Choral Evensong is a treasure among Christian liturgies and a jewel of the Anglican choral tradition.

The Saint Mark’s Evensong Choir, an intergenerational choir of children, teenagers, and adults, offers this beautiful service once a month. All are welcome.

PSALMATHON—UK Pilgrimage Fundraiser, May 14

Do you have a beloved psalm? Join with the Evensong Choir for PSALMATHON 2022, a fundraiser for the choir’s 2022 UK Pilgrimage. Over 3 hours, we will sing 50 of our most beloved psalms, proclaiming them in a variety of musical forms. Parishioners are encouraged to sponsor one of our singers for a dollar amount per psalm or join in the singing with a sponsor of your own! Mark your calendars now; more info is to come on how the cathedral community can support the Psalmathon and the Evensong Choir’s residencies in Bristol and Chichester Cathedrals in August.

About the Evensong Choir

This intergenerational ensemble consists of the most advanced Senior Choristers and members of the Schola of the Choir School, select auditioned adult singers. (The adult singers of the Evensong Choir are required to be members of Saint Mark’s Cathedral Choir or Compline Choir, unless they are professionally engaged as singers or directors in other churches on Sunday mornings.)

In addition to their monthly offering of Choral Evensong in the English Cathedral tradition, they also sing occasional special liturgies, including The Pageant of the Nativity, the 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service, and Tenebrae on Wednesday in Holy Week.

2021–22 Evensong Schedule

October 3, 2021 - In Celebration of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi

November 7, 2021 - Observing the Festival of All Saints

December 5, 2021 - NO EVENSONG
(The Music Series concert Starry Night, presented by the vocal ensemble Tapestry, replaces Evensong this Sunday)

January 2, 2022 - The Ninth Evening of Christmas

February 6, 2022 - The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (transferred)

March 6, 2022 - The First Sunday in Lent

April 3, 2022 - The Fifth Sunday in Lent

May 1, 2022 - The Third Sunday of Easter

June 5, 2022 - The Day of Pentecost

Evensong Choir Pilgrimage

In the summer of 2018, The Evensong Choir served as Choir-in-Residence at Ely Cathedral, and at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London. During these residencies, the choir sang the daily evensong service, in addition to the Sunday service of Holy Communion.

During a free day during this pilgrimage they also sang one service at Canterbury Cathedral in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (click to enlarge photo).

It is intended that The Evensong Choir will travel to the U.K. for similar residencies approximately every three years, although plans were disrupted by the pandemic. A return to England is currently scheduled for July 31–August 14, 2022, serving residencies in the cathedrals of Bristol and Chichester.