Music Ministry

The music ministry at St. Mary’s aims to provide spiritual nourishment through the God-given gift of music. Throughout our heritage as Christian people, music has played a fundamental role in worship and in being part of our outreach to others. While grounded in the wealth of great choral and organ compositions of the past, the music we offer also embraces works by living composers and of other Christian traditions.

Parish Choir

Our Choir provides music for the 10am service and special Holy days. We offer congregational leadership using the traditional Anglican repertoire of Eucharist settings, anthems, and motets from the plainchant of the Middle Ages to contemporary works, as well as the music of Taize, Iona, and other communities. The choir is led by a core quartet of experienced paid singers.

The Parish Choir at St. Mary's is a welcoming and inclusive space. While experiencing singing is an asset, all are welcome to join as we raise our voices together to the glory of God.

The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm and on Sunday mornings at 9am. If you can’t make a permanent commitment, you may sing for special Christmas and Easter choirs.If you are interested in joining our choir, please contact our Director of Music, Michael, at music@stmaryskerrisdale.ca

Choral Music for Feasts and Festivals

The 25-voice choir provides leadership in music-making, offering choral music for all our major festivals and special liturgical events. These include:

• Advent Lessons & Carols

• Christmas Eve Services

• Ash Wednesday

• Palm/Passion Sunday – our tradition is to focus on the Palm liturgy at the 10am service, and on the Passion readings at a special 4pm service.

• Maundy Thursday

• Good Friday

• Great Vigil

• Diocesan and Archdeaconry events

Our Organ

The organ is a 3-manual 1964 Casavant with an older console, 1955. It was modernized in 2010. It is used for the 10am Sunday morning services as well as special services and occasional recitals.