Service Times & Information

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

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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

While we navigate this pandemic together, the Parish Choir meets online to check in and prepare for special virtual choir offerings. Under normal circumstances, 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]).

In case you missed the Christmas Lessons and Carols and the Concert by Eric Choate, here are the links to view them.
Lessons and Carols Christmas Day Concert

Children's Music

Children’s and Youth Choirs have resumed rehearsals (on Zoom) beginning Thursday, September 10th. We will be preparing special virtual musical offerings for several special feasts this fall, including St. Francis, All Saints, and Christmas. The Children’s and Youth Choir are open to all boys and girls from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Please be in touch with Marla Perkins ([email protected]) to register for the upcoming year.

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Summer Choir
During the summer schedule, the ad-hoc, non-auditioned choir sings for the 10:00 a.m. service. We sing favorite chestnuts from our choral tradition. If you would like to sing, please join us on summer Sundays for a 9:00 a.m. rehearsal.

Music Leadership

Director of Music: Eric Choate ([email protected])
Music Associate: Marla Perkins ([email protected])
Music Librarians and Assistants: Susan Barber
Section Leaders: Ellen Leslie, soprano; Todd Bradley, tenor; Jess Perry, bass
Conducting Scholar: Julia Morris

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 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 Virtual Worship In-Person Worship Opportunities Music Children's Music Liturgical Ministries Baptism Weddings Columbarium

Music Notes - Enjoy viewing our Music Notes Series


Upcoming Music events

During COVID-19 we have suspended our usual Candlelight Concerts and other musical events. We look forward to returning to those events in the future.






© 2021 St. Mary the Virgin
2325 Union St. · San Francisco, CA 94123
415.921.3665
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Service Times

VIRTUAL WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Interactive Family Worship Service
  • Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer - Sunday Bulletin, April 18, 2021
  • Wednesday, 12:10 pm, Noon Day Prayer

IN-PERSON WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Sunday, 10:15 a.m. - In-person Worship - REGISTER



Location

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

Contact Us
415.921.3665

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