Music Ministries at St. James

"Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!" ... Psalm 150

Music is a vibrant part of parish life at St. James by-the-Sea. The rich sounds of the St. James Choir and our 60-rank Austin pipe organ fill the church each Sunday at the 10:00 a.m. worship service. On Easter Sunday and Christmas Eve, we add the beauty of brass and timpani to our services. Evensong with the choir takes place at 5:00 p.m. one Sunday a month from September through May at The Bishop's School, two blocks from our church. The St. James Cherub Choir offers young people a chance to learn, practice and present worship music.

St. James by-the-Sea is known throughout the county for its outstanding music programs under the leadership of the Director of Music, Steven Townsend. The highly-praised St. James Music Series presents concerts throughout the year as an outreach to the San Diego community. We seek extraordinary artists and repertoire, while maintaining reasonable ticket prices (free to students and children). St. James is also home to San Diego Early Music Society concerts and we host The Messiah by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra each December.

We welcome you to listen, participate, reflect and find inspiration in the Music of St. James.

For more information on any of the music ministries at St. James, contact Steven Townsend, Director of Music at the church office by calling (858) 459-3421 ext. 109.

Choir

The St. James Choir graces our Worship services with dignity, warmth, and beauty as they seek to draw this community into a closer relationship with God. Under the direction of Steve Townsend, Music Director, the St. James Choir performs at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday services at St. James as well as Evensong at Bishop's School. If you are interested in auditioning for the choir, please contact Steve.

Evensong

Evensong, a combination of the medieval offices of Vespers and Compline, is a service of reflection, a time to be still and let God speak to us through the singing of psalms, readings and canticles.

Evensong takes place at St. Mary's Chapel on the campus of the Bishop's School, 7606 Prospect St. (walking distance from St. James by-the-Sea Church) on certain Sundays of the academic year.

Music Series

Every year, St. James presents our highly acclaimed Music Series as an outreach to the community. Past performances have included the Vienna Boys Choir, The Hereford Cathedral Choir, Sanctus, and a mainstay of the series, the Grammy award winning Chanticleer. Season Tickets are just $60 for 4 performances or $25 per individual performance. There are special discounts for students and childcare is provided at all performances. Become a Music Series Patron and enjoy additional advantages.

The Organ

The Ralph M. Parsons' memorial pipe organ at St. James was built by the Austin Organ Company in Hartford, Connecticut. It was dedicated on June 13th, 1976 by Larry King, who at the time served as Organist-Choirmaster of Trinity Church, Wall Street, New York, N.Y. The organ consists of four manuals and pedals, six divisions, 46 stops, 60 ranks of pipes totaling 3,481 individual pipes. The main console is located in the chancel with an additional smaller console in the chapel.

Music Events

Check back for information on upcoming music events to be held at St. James.