Choral Services at the Cathedral of St. Philip

This Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols is sung by the Cathedral Choir. The officiant is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. 

Organized around the O Antiphons – beautiful plainchant texts which invoke the Messiah to return, sung since the 8th century at Vespers on the seven evenings leading up to Christmas – the choir gradually moves into the chancel, stopping at various stations around the Cathedral nave. Each of the biblical prophecies is expanded upon by the singing of carols, anthems, and hymns which anticipate the coming of Christ, culminating in a glorious setting of the Magnificat (The Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55) and the singing of “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” the text of which is an English translation of the very O Antiphons that the choir has sung throughout the service. 

Choral repertoire includes:

• Great O Antiphons
• Richard Marlow (1939-2013), Advent Responsory
• “Lo! he comes with clouds descending” Helmsley
• Ben Parry (b.1965), Adam lay ybounden
• “Creator of the stars of night” Conditor alme siderum
• Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599), Rorate caeli
• “Come, thou Redeemer of the earth” Puer nobis nascitur
• Kerensa Briggs (b.1991), A tender shoot
• “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming” Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
• Charles Beaudrot, Jr. (b. 1951), Comfort, comfort ye my people
• Howard Helvey (b. 1968), There is no Rose of such virtue
• arr. David Schelat (b.1955), The Angel Gabriel
• Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Magnificat (Gloucester Cathedral)
• Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987), Jesus Christ the apple tree
• “O come, O come, Emmanuel” Veni, veni Emmanuel

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Choir of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee, observes the Reign of Christ. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener. Choral repertoire includes:

• William Smith (c. 1603-1645), Preces & Responses
• Herbert Murrill (1909-1952) in E
• C. Armstrong Gibbs (1889-1960), arr. Richard Lloyd (1953-2021), Thee will I love, my God and King
• William Walton (1902-1983), Jubilate Deo

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Charles Simeon. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Lauren Holder. Choral repertoire includes:

• Thomas Morley (1557-1602), Preces & Responses
• John Hilton the Younger (1599-1657) in Gamut
• John Hilton, Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes
• William Byrd (1543-1623), Justorum animae

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola ATB and Teen Boys, observes the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa. Choral repertoire includes:

• Michael Leighton Jones (b. 1947), Preces & Responses
• Herbert Sumsion (1899-1995) in G (ATB)
• William Mundy (c. 1529-1591), Now let us laud and magnify with music of concord
• Thomas Tallis (1505-1585), Hear the voice and prayer of thy servants

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. Choral repertoire includes:

• Richard Ayleward (c. 1625-1669), Preces & Responses
• Richard Ayleward (c. 1625-1669), Short Service
• Stephanie Martin (b. 1962), Let all mortal flesh keep silence
• Herbert Howells (1892-1983), O pray for the peace of Jerusalem

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola Sopranos & Altos, and Cathedral Choristers, observes the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Lauren Holder. Choral repertoire includes:

• Christopher Jennings (b. 1980), Preces & Responses
• David Hogan (1946-1996), Washington Service
• David Willcocks (1919-2015), Psalm 150
• Roxanna Panufnik (b. 1968), Ubi caritas

This service of Choral Eucharist, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of St. Philip. The officiant and preacher is the Very Rev. Sam Candler. Choral repertoire includes:

• Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Collegium Regale Communion Service
• Edward Elgar (1857-1934), Give unto the Lord
• David Hurd (b. 1950), Love bade me welcome

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Choir, observes the Feast of St. Francis. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener. Choral repertoire includes:

• Stephen Caracciolo (b. 1962), Preces & Responses
• Francis Jackson (1917-2022) in G
• Herbert Sumsion (1899-1995), Festival Benedicite
• Charles Wood (1866-1926), Hail, gladdening Light

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa. Choral repertoire includes:

• Bernard Rose (1916-1996), Preces & Responses
• Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Collegium Sancti Johannis Cantabrigiense
• Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924), Justorum animae
• David Briggs (b. 1962), O Lord, support us all the day long

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Hildegard of Bingen, and commemorates and gives thanks also for the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell, Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Choral repertoire includes:

• Joanna Forbes L’Estrange (b. 1971), Preces & Responses
• Joanna Forbes L’Estrange (b. 1971), King’s College Service
• Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), O pastor animarum
• William Harris (1883-1973), Bring us, O Lord God
• Henry Balfour Gardiner (1877-1950), Evening Hymn