Music

For more information about any of the music ministries at St. Paul’s, please contact Douglas A. Beck, AOJN, Organist-Choirmaster, at 703-549-3312 x17 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Music Ministries at St. Paul’s engage the church and community.
St. Paul’s music ministries encourage participation from the pews to the musician’s gallery, offering opportunities for all ages and abilities to make music to the glory of God. We recognize the dynamic, affirming and worshipful act of music making as a gift from God that unifies, inspires, delights, expresses, comforts and challenges us. Music, along with all of our liturgical actions, shapes God’s people to live lives worthy of our calling through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through musical excellence, we proclaim the story of God’s mighty acts in all of creation, we affirm the word and sacraments of the church, we nurture relationships with God and one another and we open our doors to the world through our liturgies and concerts. Everyone at St. Paul’s actively participates in music making, from the pews to the music gallery, in the celebratory act of praising and thanking God.

Voice for Life is the Royal School of Church Music Program training singers of every level, age and ability. At St. Paul's, this method of choir training is available to choirs within the context of the weekly rehearsal. In order to foster a singing congregation, is is also available in a concentrated format to any interested parishioner regardless of previous singing experience. The Voice for Life session takes place from 6:45-7:20 PM each Thursday evening that the St. Paul's Choir rehearses. All are encouraged to participate, learning how to use the gift of each God-given voice to further God's kingdom through music.

Choral Evensong is a sung service by clergy and the choir with a tradition steeped in the history of the monastic and collegiate traditions of the Anglican Church. Following the form for Evening from the Book of Common Prayer, the service embodies the corporate prayers of those assembled on behalf of God’s universe. Choral Evensong takes place on four Sundays each season at 5:00 PM.

We make music to praise and thank God.
Angel Chorus (pre-K through grade 2) meets weekly on Wednesdays during the choir year from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. Spiritual formation, learning to belong, and musical fun are all included. The Angel Chorus participates in occasional 9:00 a.m. services.

St. Cecilia Choir (Grade 3 through changed voices) is an affiliate-graded choir program of the Royal School of Church Music training scheme, "Voice for Life." The St. Cecilia Choir leads worship at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service from September through May. Choristers meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. The choir gathers at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning to prepare to lead the 9:00 a.m. service.

St. Paul's Choir (changed voices through adult) meets weekly on Thursdays during the choir year from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. St. Paul's Choir leads the 11:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy from September through mid-June in addition to Thanksgiving Eve, Advent Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and Choral Evensong services. Service preparation begins at 10:15 a.m. each Sunday for the 11:00 a.m. liturgy; 6:30 p.m. for weeknight services (9:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve) and 3:15 p.m. for Choral Evensong.

Gospel Choir (intergenerational) is St. Paul's summer choir. With the more relaxed pace of summer, comes the more relaxed summer choir at St. Paul's. Music is hymn-based and selected from the Episcopal Church Hymnal Lift Every Voice and Sing II. Singers gather around the organ console at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday in advance of the 10:00 a.m. summer service. This is a perfect opportunity for both eager and reluctant singers of all ages to join together and lead the church in song. Gospel summer choir is a great activity, not only for our regular choir members, but also for those who want to know more about music at St. Paul's and those who do not have the time to make a full choir commitment. All are welcome to sing on one or all Sundays in the summer.

Ars Choralis (adults) is St. Paul's resident community choir of up to 44 voices. The choir's repertoire spans the timeless choral music of sacred traditions. There are an average of ten Tuesday rehearsals from 7:45 p.m. until 9:45 p.m., one sectional rehearsal, and a dress rehearsal preceding two annual concerts at St. Paul's. Voices audition from St. Paul's Choir and the greater Washington, DC region.

Good Shepherd Ringers (Grade 9 through adult) participate in Sunday liturgies twice monthly, Advent Lessons and Carols, and the Christmas Eve service at the 6:00 p.m. Each spring, the Good Shepherd Ringers travel to Ocean City, Maryland where they participate in the two-day American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Region III Festival. Rehearsals take place Wednesdays at 7:45 until 9:00 p.m.

Keyboard Scholars are dedicated members of a St. Paul's Choir who apply for organ or piano study each choir year. In addition to regular participation in a musical ensemble, scholars agree to participate in one weekly lesson to advance their music skills. A limited number of scholarships are available each season.
Musical instrumentalists from the congregation often make melody to the Lord in liturgies with their musical instruments as soloists, in ensembles, and with congregational singing. To offer your instrumental musical talent, please express your interest to the Organist-Choirmaster