The choirs of St. Peter’s offer participation opportunities for every age and degree of musical expertise. Members of our choirs serve a vital role as supporters, leaders, and teachers for the congregation in both spoken and sung portions of the Eucharist and other liturgies.

The Family Choir sings at the Family Eucharist each Sunday of the program year at 9:00 a.m., as well as at a few special services during the year. This choir is especially convenient for very busy people, with rehearsals every other week.

The Family Choir concentrates on hymns and service music, leads psalm singing, and prepares a variety of easy anthems. This choir is open to all singers who can match pitches. Rehearsals are on every other Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Bank Barn Choir Room. On Sundays, there is an 8:30 a.m. warm-up in the Bank Barn Choir Room.

The Gallery Choir sings at the 11:15 a.m. Eucharist each Sunday during the program year, as well as at special seasonal services throughout the year. This ensemble requires a significant time commitment. Singers are expected to attend regularly and prepare music ahead of time. Exploring the rich heritage of the Anglican tradition, this choir works on psalmody, anthems, motets, and service music from a variety of musical periods.

To join, interested singers with good music reading ability should arrange a short opening interview with the Organist and Choirmaster, and an annual “check-up” thereafter. Rehearsals are on alternating Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., or from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. On Sundays, there is a 10:30 a.m. warm-up in the Historic Church Choir Room.

The Chamber Choir of St. Peter’s (formerly Sarum Singers) draws on the whole community and specializes in early and twentieth-century sacred choral works in a liturgical setting. The choir sings for special services during the year and has performed with Piffaro, Philomel, and Calliope.

The Chamber Choir’s CD for the PGM label of sacred Buxtehude cantatas was released to critical acclaim in 1994. In 1997 they sang for the principal Eucharist of the Episcopal General Convention in Philadelphia, and in 2002 for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists.

For more information, an audition information or to receive a schedule for the year, contact the Organist and Choirmaster, Steven Patchel, steven@stpetersgv.org.