Music
St. Mark's has an active music ministry, led by Peter Pyles Sr., the Director of Music. Pyles directs the Senior Choir, Senior Bell Choir and HIM singers. James Biever is the Church Organist and also accompanies the Choirs.
Senior Choir
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St. Mark's Choir begins its year in September and sings until the end of June. Rehearsals are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and typically last an hour, unless extra preparation is needed for a special program like the annual Christmas cantata. The choir's repertoire ranges form Bach classics to modern contemporary gospel. The choir performs regular two, three, and four-part anthems, as well as two and three-part canons. Most music is accompanied by piano, or done a cappella, although organ, cassette, CD and individual instrumentalists are also used. The Senior Choir sings at all regular Sunday services except the last Sunday of the month, from September through June. The choir also sings for Ash Wednesday and Holy Week services. Membership is open to anyone who likes to sing, has a pleasant voice and can learn to sing parts. Age range is generally from ninth grade to adult.
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Senior Bell Choir
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St. Mark's Senior Bell choir begins its rehearsals in September and generally finishes in May. Rehearsals are the first three Wednesdays of each month for 45 minutes. Extra rehearsals are scheduled as needed. The church has a four-octave set of English hand bells, as well as a three-octave set of hand chimes. The group performs four times during the year, usually in October, for Christmas Eve, during Lent, and once in May. Although the group presents a variety of music, most of the selections are familiar hymns, both regular and gospel. Up to 13 ringers perform, with membership open to anyone in eighth grade or older. No special musical talent is required, just the ability to count and maintain a tempo.
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Him Singers
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St. Mark's HIM Singers is a group of men who sing old and contemporary gospel songs. The group usually performs the last Sunday of the month, beginning in September and finishing on Memorial Day weekend. Rehearsals are the Tuesday before the last Sunday of each month for 45 minutes. Much of the music performed by the group is in unison or two parts. The group sometimes presents special programs for retirement communities. Membership is open to any male, high school and above.
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Praise Team
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St. Mark's Praise Team is a mixed choir of various ages who love to raise their voices in praise to God. This vocal group brings its unique talents together in the parlor for rehearsals on the first and last Sundays of each month at 10 a.m. The Praise Team seeks to make its joy contagious to the congregation as it remembers that praising God is not only fun but also a celebration of the congregation's spirit. The Praise Team desires to bring its best to God, approaching ministry with humble and sincere hearts.
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Angel/Youth and Chime Choirs
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It has been said that the gospel of Jesus Christ stays the same, but the methods used to convey that gospel must change with new generations and different cultures. It is with great joy and happiness that the Angel, Youth and Chime Choirs sing and ring their praises as they learn of our Lord through the blessing of music. The children rehearse the first and third Sundays of each month during Children's Church as they raise an abundance of joyful song.
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