St. James 2019-2020 Music Season
Choir Tour and Parish Pilgrimage
August 10-17, 2020 | Wells Cathedral | Windsor Castle
August 10-17, 2020 | Wells Cathedral | Windsor Castle
![]() The Choir of St. James by-the-Sea will sing daily services as the choir in residence at Wells Cathedral and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom.
Everyone is invited to come along, experience the beautiful English countryside, and worship together in these incredible settings. Choral Evensong will be offered daily, and the choir will sing a Choral Eucharist in the Nave of the Cathedral on Sunday morning. On Monday, we will all travel to Windsor Castle for a special evensong in St. George’s Chapel. “It is a great honor for our choir to be invited to sing in these historic churches. I hope you will join me in making this pilgrimage as we renew our faith through worship and music.”
- The Rev’d Dr. Mark Hargreaves |
![]() About Wells:
Wells Cathedral is set in the medieval heart of England’s smallest city and is the earliest English cathedral to be built in the Gothic style. The current building was erected between the 12th and 15th centuries and is a significant landmark in Somerset and the South West. Explore the beautiful English countryside, including the Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury Tor, and Bath Abbey. In Wells you can see the Bishop’s Palace, Street Market, and the Cathedral’s Medieval chained-book library. Don’t forget to visit with Pangur, the friendly Wells Cathedral cat. Contact Alex Benestelli, Director of Music, for more information:
alex@sjbts.org, 858-459-3421 x109. |
Choral Evensong

Choral Evensong in an Anglican tradition is a magnificent act of choral worship. Drawn almost entirely from the Bible, its purpose is to proclaim the wonderful works of God and evoke from the worshiper a response of praise, penitence, and prayer. Evensong is offered daily in many churches and cathedrals around the world.
In preparation for the Choir Tour to the United Kingdom, the Choir of St. James will prepare a series of choral evensong services, each one offered in the same way as in England. This musical offering is a celebration of the Anglo-American choral tradition.
All Choral Evensong services will be held in St. James church.
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 5:00 pm The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
In preparation for the Choir Tour to the United Kingdom, the Choir of St. James will prepare a series of choral evensong services, each one offered in the same way as in England. This musical offering is a celebration of the Anglo-American choral tradition.
All Choral Evensong services will be held in St. James church.
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
- William Smith | Preces and Responses
- Charles V. Stanford | Evening Service in G
- Stephen Paulus | Pilgrim's Hymn
Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 5:00 pm The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
- Richard Shephard | Preces and Responses
- Orlando Gibbons | Second Service
- Thomas Tallis | If Ye Love Me
Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 5:00 pm The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord
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Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 5:00 pm The Third Sunday in Lent
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Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 5:00 pm The Day of Pentecost
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Compline-by-Candlelight

Sundays, 7:00 pm
January 12 and June 7 and Holy Saturday, April 11, 7:00 pm
Drawn from the most contemplative of the monastic offices begun in the middle ages, Compline-by-Candlelight offers music from Gregorian Chant and early polyphony to the contemporary music of modern mystics. An offering of thanksgiving and a plea for peace, the voices of the Schola Cantorum of St. James, an all-professional choir of 12 voices, continues this tradition of night-prayer as an offering of tranquility for the whole community. Compline-by-Candlelight is a brief 25 minute service offered in St. James Church.
January 12 and June 7 and Holy Saturday, April 11, 7:00 pm
Drawn from the most contemplative of the monastic offices begun in the middle ages, Compline-by-Candlelight offers music from Gregorian Chant and early polyphony to the contemporary music of modern mystics. An offering of thanksgiving and a plea for peace, the voices of the Schola Cantorum of St. James, an all-professional choir of 12 voices, continues this tradition of night-prayer as an offering of tranquility for the whole community. Compline-by-Candlelight is a brief 25 minute service offered in St. James Church.
Taizé Prayer

Sundays, 5:00 pm
October 20, February 16, May 3, and June 21
Taizé is a service which includes music of participation, often sung in short Latin phrases, so the mind is released from distraction, allowing focus on listening to God. This is a ministry of the Daughters of the King at St. James and held in St. James Church several times a year.
The Music of Taizé is by its nature meditative, accessible and prayerful. It is hoped that all present will take part in the singing. Each musical offering will be sung several times, allowing you to meditate on the words. Instruments may join in and a cantor may sing solo lines to compliment the congregational singing.
October 20, February 16, May 3, and June 21
Taizé is a service which includes music of participation, often sung in short Latin phrases, so the mind is released from distraction, allowing focus on listening to God. This is a ministry of the Daughters of the King at St. James and held in St. James Church several times a year.
The Music of Taizé is by its nature meditative, accessible and prayerful. It is hoped that all present will take part in the singing. Each musical offering will be sung several times, allowing you to meditate on the words. Instruments may join in and a cantor may sing solo lines to compliment the congregational singing.
Advent and Christmas
![]() Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 1, 5:00 pm, St. Mary’s Chapel, The Bishop’s School The Procession from darkness to light marks the beginning of Advent, the season of anticipation and hope. Waiting in joyful expectation for the coming of Jesus, at the Incarnation and at the Day of Judgement, join the St. James Schola in St. Mary's Chapel in an evocative service of Advent carols and hymns. Join us on Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. |
![]() A Festival of Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 15, 5:00 pm, St. James by-the-Sea Our third annual festival of Lessons and Carols tells the Christmas story is told in word and song, featuring the 50-voice St. James Festival Choir, organ, brass and percussion. In the style of Kings College, Cambridge, lessons from Holy Scripture are punctuated by traditional Christmas Carols and sacred anthems. Festival Choir is open to all members of the community who like to sing. Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7:00-7:45 pm in the Parish Hall beginning November 7. Contact Alex Benestelli for more information: alex@sjbts.org. |