"Those who sing pray twice." Music is and always has been an integral part of the worship and spiritual life of Saint Mark's. In addition to the choirs, instrumentalists and soloists are invited to perform throughout the year. New participants in any of the music ministries are welcome at any time and should contact George Anton Emblom, the Director of Music, at (510) 845-0888, or e-mail at music@stmarksberkely.org.

St. Mark's Choir Association

Saint Mark's Choir Association is open to teens and adults. The parish choir's primary responsibility is to sing at the 10:00 AM Sunday service, and at other occasional liturgies throughout the year. Rehearsals take place Wednesday evenings from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM and on Sunday mornings at 9 AM. The choir also has a fall retreat at the Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg.

The choir traditionally offers a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in Advent (see additional information about this event below*), a choral setting of the Eucharist or a major choral work with orchestra on two "Music Memorial Sundays" (generally in May and November), and a Requiem Mass setting for All Souls' Day, November 2.

The choir took a two week pilgrimage to England in 2003 and sang at St. George's, Windsor; Chichester Cathedral; Clare College, Cambridge; St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury-St-Edmunds; and Gloucester Cathedral. In 2007, the choir took their second tour to England, singing in Durham Cathedral as well as a week's residency in Lincoln Cathedral. 

Schola Cantorum

The Schola Cantorum is a traditional chant choir open to men which meets for rehearsals on the Second Sunday of each month, from September through June. The choir sings at the 5:30 P.M. Second Sunday Evensong, and at other occasional liturgies throughout the year.