Choirs

The St. Mark's Chancel Choir

Under the direction of Director of Music, Keith Read, the Chancel Choir is composed of adults (older teens also are welcome) who sing September through June, at their choice of the 9:00 AM. or 11:15 AM. services. The choir usually presents two anthems and leads the congregation in service music and hymns. In addition, the full choir - usually 40 voices strong – typically offers three choral evensong services annually, and special choral offerings for feast day and Lenten services. In recent years they have participated at the annual Diocesan Convention, 100th anniversary of the Cathedral cornerstone event, a Verdi concert connected with Washington’s Early Music Festival and an ecumenical gathering of religious institutions on Capital Hill.

Choir membership is open to all who like to sing; an ability to read music and some experience in choral singing is helpful. New members are welcome. While the general commitment is for a "semester," i.e., September - December or January - June, many choir members have been active for a decade or more! Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:30 PM. If you would like to join the choir, contact Keith Reas, our Director of Music, or, for more information, contact choir President Vicki Street.

The Children's Choir and the Boys' and Girls' Choir

The children's choirs will continue in the fall of 2008 as follows:

• Children's Choirs (Grades 1-3)
  Thursday, 6:15 - 7:00, Room 1
  Ben Hansen, director
  
  
• Boys and Girls Choir (Grades 4-8)
  Thursday, 6:15 - 7:15, Nave
  Keith Reas, Director of Music
  
  

Director of Music

St. Mark's is honored to have Dr. Keith S. Reas as its Director of Music and Organist. Dr. Reas received his bachelor's degree at Oberlin Conservatory, Reas earned his master's degree at the University of Oregon in Eugene, and his DMA in Organ Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

Prior to beginning his ministry at St. Mark's in 1991, Dr. Reas served as director of music and organist for churches ranging from small to very large, in New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Arizona. While living in the latter state, he became the first organist accepted into the Artist Roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. In 1995, he received First Prize at the International Organ Competition held at Ann Arbor, Michigan.