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Parish Music
 Mindful of our Anglo-Catholic heritage, the music (anthems, hymns, and
organ music) is carefully selected according to the liturgical year and lectionary. Our goal is that the Music Program provide a strong base for worshipping “in the beauty of holiness.”
The Parish Choir provides musical support throughout the year at each Sunday's 10:30 am Holy Eucharist, as well as other special liturgies during the year. The choir is a mixed voice group of 16-24 adult choristers who rehearse together on a weekly basis. From time to time, special instruction is offered at additional times on such topics as chanting the psalms, basic music reading, and vocal production. Although the Parish Choir sings at the principal service year-round, the rehearsal schedule is typically modified in the summer to provide much-needed rest opportunities for the choristers and leaders.
The Parish Choir has made four tours to Spain (1998,
2001, 2004, and 2007), singing in major cathedrals and
basilicas throughout Spain and, on a more limited scale,
in Portugal.
The Choir of Holy Innocents (4 yrs to 1st grade) and the
St. Cecilia's Choir (children 1st - 6th grades)
are formed periodically as staffing permits for specific
liturgies.
The St. Ambrose Singers is a small ensemble,
originally formed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in
Arlington as the St. Ambrose Chorale in 1981 and
reconstituted at St. Mark's in 1998, is made up of
singers selected both from the St. Mark's Parish Choir
and from outside the parish, including singers from the
Cathedral Choir of St. Vincent's-Bedford. The primary
function of the St. Ambrose Singers is to provide
especially challenging, high quality musical offerings
in programs and special liturgies throughout the Church
year. The composition of the group varies in size and
voice types, depending upon the music being prepared.
The ensemble's namesake, St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397),
became bishop of Milan in 374, much to his initial
dismay and reluctance. Ambrose's creativity found form
in music and poetry, having composed many original hymns
for the Church. His most significant contribution,
however, was the origination of the practice of
antiphonal congregational singing (i.e., alternating
from side to side or front to back). He used this
technique to calm his congregation while they occupied
the Basilica for a week against the Arian solders under
orders to take the Basilica.
Kathy Fox Powell is the Choirmaster. Ms. Powell
founded and directed for 10 years the Renaissance
Consort of Fort Worth, is a regular singer with Dallas Bach Society, Orchestra of New Spain, and the
Orpheus Chamber Singers. She is also an active
participant and leader in planning and preparing the
music for Diocesan liturgies. Ms. Powell is also a practicing real estate lawyer.
In 2005, both Ms. Powell and Dr. Powell were awarded an
honorary Doctor of Music degree by Nashotah House
Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin.
Dr. Linton Powell is the Organist and is Professor of Organ and Musicology at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Powell has given numerous concerts in Europe and the USA and has been the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is noted for his research on Spanish music and was a Fulbright Scholar to Argentina.
Any person who believes they might have some musical ability and an interest in joining the Parish Choir is encouraged to discuss it with the Choirmaster via the Parish Office.
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