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  2325 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94123  ·   415.921.3665  ·     DONATE

St. Mary the Virgin
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Music

Mission Statement

To glorify God through music; to work to develop the musical talents God gave us to the best of our abilities; to build community as we rehearse together; and to nurture the congregation by providing support in the singing of hymns and musical offerings.

Parish Choir

Our Parish Choir sings for the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist from September to June. They occasionally collaborate with the Children’s and Youth Choirs at 9:00 a.m. Repertoire for each week involves an anthem and motet, and approximately once a month, a choral Mass setting. They lead us in Choral Evensong six times a year, and perform a Choral Requiem on the Feast of All Souls’ (recently Howells’ Requiem and Durufle’s Requiem). To schedule an audition for the Parish Choir, or to inquire about our Choral Scholarships, please contact Director of Music Eric Choate ( [email protected]).

Liturgical Music List Through Trinity Sunday

Candlelight Concerts

We have an exciting season this year featuring vocal recitals from Brian Thorsett, Jon Morrell, Michele Kennedy, and Jennifer Paulino, and for the second year in a row, a performance from St. Mary's Chamber Orchestra. As always, our concerts are free and open to the public. 2022-23 Candlelight Concert2022/2023 Candlelight Concerts Brochure


Music Leadership

  • Director of Music: Eric Choate ([email protected])
  • Music Associate: Marla Perkins ([email protected])
  • Music Librarians and Assistants: Susan Barber; Polly Sanford
  • Section Leaders: Ellen Leslie, soprano; Tara Scown, alto; Todd Bradley, tenor; Jess Perry, bass

Listen to St. Mary's Choir Sing "God So Loved the World"

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Eric Choate
Director of Music
415.921.3665 x363 
Marla Perkins
Music Associate

Eric Choate

Director of Music
415.921.3665 x363 |

Eric Choate is in demand as a choral and orchestral conductor, composer, and organist. In addition to his service at St. Mary the Virgin, he is the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus, Professor of Choral and Organ music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and often prepares choruses for the San Francisco Symphony and Berkeley Symphony. As an award-winning composer, his music has been performed by renowned artists including VOCES8, Vancouver Chamber Choir, The Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Brian Thorsett, Emil Miland, John Churchwell, Friction Quartet, Areon Flutes, One Found Sound, and others. His music is published by E.C. Schirmer and Augsburg Fortress. Eric is an active organ recitalist and has been a visiting artist at major universities, including a recent residency at Virginia Tech University.

Graduating with Departmental Distinction, Eric earned his Bachelor of Arts in Composition from St. Olaf College, where he studied with Timothy Mahr and Justin Merritt. He was awarded a fellowship to study harmony and counterpoint at the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France. He then went on to earn a Master of Music with David Conte at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Having served as an officer of the San Francisco American Guild of Organists Chapter, he remains an active member of both the AGO and the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM).

Marla Perkins

Music Associate

Marla is a pianist who brings to St. Mary’s an extensive background in piano performance and music teaching. She fell in love with music as a preschooler singing with her mother at the piano. Piano studies began at age 5 leading to an Assoc. with The Western Board and B. Mus. from Brandon University, Canada. She received her M.M. from Hartt School of Music, Univ. of Hartford, studying under Anne Koscielny and Raymond Hanson, and Prof. Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Paul Hersh. Additional training was at the Guildhall School, Internationale Sommer Akademie Mozarteum, Johannesen Int’l Summer School, The Banff Center, and private study with Diana Lawton and Sir Kendall Taylor.

Marla has performed as soloist, piano duo partner, chamber musician, and accompanist for professional instrumentalists and singers, choirs, and ballet classes. She has also enjoyed work in musical theater. Marla has taught piano and music since age 17 to students of all ages in private lessons, theory classes, ensemble coaching, a vibrant nursery school program, and for those with learning differences. While raising her family in San Francisco she worked with young musicians through Villa Sinfonia, ACT, SFCM’s Summer Music West, several private schools, and her own studio.

Her music has been influenced by years of figure skating, love of nature, a keen interest in mind-body-spiritual connection and healing, and Eastern practices. Marla and Barry are grateful to have had the nurturing community of St. Mary’s in raising their two children to adulthood.

Worship & Music Holy Week Schedule Virtual Worship Live Service Choral Compline: St. Mary's Service Music Children's Music Liturgical Ministries Baptism Weddings Columbarium

Upcoming Music events


Check out the Candlelight Concert page









© 2023 St. Mary the Virgin
2325 Union St. · San Francisco, CA 94123
415.921.3665
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Service Times

Sunday Services

  • 8:00 a.m. Spoken Eucharist
  • 9:00 a.m. Eucharist with Children’s Homily and Children and Youth Choirs
  • 11:00 a.m. Parish Choir and Eucharist
  • Bulletin for March 26, 2023 - All services

Holy Week Schedule

Location

St. Mary the Virgin
2325 Union St.
San Francisco, CA 94123

Contact Us
415.921.3665

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Our parish offers a welcoming and warm community of faithful people who pursue a life of common prayer and faith-centered action. Whether you join us online or in-person, you are part of our family. We praise God for the gifts you bring that enrich our lives and help to bless the world. Please feel encouraged to participate in any of our worship services or parish programs that draw you closer to the heart of God and your neighbor.

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