​THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC & THE ARTS
At St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, music and the arts are not decoration, they are proclamation. Rooted in the Anglican tradition and shaped by the beauty of the Book of Common Prayer, we believe that beauty is a pathway to God. Through choral music, sacred art, architecture, and liturgy, we engage heart, mind, and spirit in worship that is reverent, expansive, and alive. Because we follow Christ who became flesh, we honor the sacredness of sound, color, word, and silence. The arts help us pray when words fail, rejoice in hope, and find meaning in times of sorrow. They form our faith, deepen our community, and open our doors to the wider world. At St. Margaret’s, creativity is not an accessory to faith, it is one of the ways we encounter the living God.

THE ST. MARGARET'S CHOIR 
The St. Margaret's Choir is the principal choral ensemble of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and plays a central role in the worship life of the parish. Composed of volunteer choristers, Staff Singers, and Choral Scholars, the choir leads congregational song and offers choral music that enriches worship throughout the church year. The choir sings weekly for Sunday services, major feast days, concerts, Choral Evensong, and other special liturgies.

Rooted in the Anglican choral tradition, the choir's repertoire embraces a broad range of sacred music from many eras and cultures. Music sung by the choir includes Gregorian and Anglican chant, Renaissance polyphony, traditional and contemporary anthem literature, spirituals, world music, and hymnody. The choir seeks to offer music of beauty, depth, and variety in service to worship and the liturgical life of the Church. 

The choir welcomes singers from both the parish and the wider community who share a love of choral singing and a commitment to musical excellence. Through rehearsal, worship, and fellowship, choir members participate in a supportive and rewarding musical community dedicated to offering their gifts in service to God and the congregation. Interested volunteer singers are encouraged to contact the Director of Music at [email protected] for more information.
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STAFF SINGERS 
The St. Margaret's Choir is supported by a select group of Staff Singers who serve as musical leaders within the ensemble. These experienced professional singers provide artistic leadership within their sections. They participate fully in the life of the choir, working alongside volunteer choristers and Choral Scholars to foster a culture of musical excellence, preparation, and collaboration.  Staff Singer appointments are compensated and awarded by audition. (See link below.)

CHORAL SCHOLARS 
The Choral Scholars Program provides advanced high school and college music students with opportunities for musical growth, leadership, and service through participation in the music ministry of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church. Choral Scholars sing as members of the St. Margaret's Choir while gaining valuable experience in ensemble singing, sight-reading, vocal technique, and liturgical leadership. They receive mentorship in a supportive environment that encourages musical excellence, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of sacred music and worship. Choral Scholar appointments are compensated and awarded by audition.
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St. Margaret’s is currently auditioning Staff Singers and Choral Scholars for the 2026-2027 season.  CLICK HERE for more details.

For a PDF of the 2026-2027 season schedule for the St. Margaret's Choir, CLICK HERE

THE ST. MARGARET'S HANDBELL CHOIR 
The St. Margaret's Handbell Choir enriches the worship life of the parish through the unique beauty and artistry of handbell ringing. Ringers participate in regular rehearsals and offer music for worship services throughout the year, as well as special liturgies and seasonal celebrations. The ensemble performs a varied repertoire ranging from hymn-based settings and sacred arrangements to original compositions for handbells. 

The Handbell Choir welcomes both experienced ringers and those interested in learning the art of handbell ringing. Membership is open to parishioners and members of the wider community who are interested in participating in this unique and rewarding musical ensemble. Through rehearsal, teamwork, and shared musical expression, members contribute to a vibrant music ministry that enhances worship, fosters musical growth, and builds community.
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OUR QUIMBY ORGAN
Dedicated on St. Margaret’s Day in 1998, the St. Margaret’s organ is Opus 50 of the Quimby Pipe Organ Company of Warrensburg, Missouri. This company has built organs in several prominent venues in the nation, and in recent years was responsible for the total restoration of the great organ in the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. 
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St. Margaret’s organ is a 4 manual and pedal instrument comprised of 58 Stops, 71 Ranks, and 4,291 Pipes.  In addition to a majority of new pipe work, a number of beautiful color stops built by the famous early 20th Century American builder Ernest M. Skinner have been incorporated.  Additionally, 20 digital stops (18 ranks plus Harp and Chimes) were added to provide more support for congregational singing in the rear of the Nave and the balcony, and to provide accompaniment for occasional soloist and choir singing from the balcony. The organ was designed to accompany the Anglican service and to successfully and authentically play centuries of organ literature, all of which has been explored through a yearly series of recitals since the installation.
​Organ Specs

David Christopher, MM, CAGO | Director of Music & Organist
For more information about our music program or joining the choir at St. Margaret's, contact David at [email protected]

Choir Resources

John Wright, Director of Music & Organist Emeritus