Lent is a time for reflection and prayer, and what better way to center yourself than through music? This is a playlist of introspective pieces for Lent with a variety of genres from Traditional Spirituals to Johann Sebastian Bach. Enjoy!

Listen to all the music HERE,

​or sample each piece in the player below.

Words: Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877)
Music: Traditional Irish Melody;  harm. Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924)

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time of prayer and introspection. Psalm 51 asks "Create in me a clean heart, O God," and it has been set to music in many ways, including these beautiful settings by Allergri and Pergolesi.

Play all the music HERE,

​or sample each piece in the player below.

This is the last week after the Epiphany, and the readings remind us of the Transfiguration. This is the moment when the disciples climb the mountain with Jesus to find the clouds part away and God declares "this is my Son, my beloved."

Play all the music HERE,

​or sample each piece in the player below.

This week's playlist is on the theme of God's love to coincide with St. James' discussion of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's book, The Way of Love. Enjoy these selections of choral music and hymns both familiar and new.

Play all the music HERE,

​or sample parts of the music in the player below.

St. James by-the-Sea is pleased to announce the first of our named gifts, the Elliott Family Antiphonal Organ. It is given to the Glory of God by Dr. Max Elliott, his late wife, Melissa, and their children, Max Jr., Wyndham, John, and Carter. We are grateful to all of them for their generosity and faithfulness. . .

​To read more click HERE

This week we explore three familiar settings of the Holy Eucharist, much loved by our choir and congregation. The texts: Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Benedictus, and Agnus Dei are common to every mass setting, but musical styles through the ages are all different and creative.

Listen to all the music HERE

​or sample parts of it in the player below.

​The Choir of St. James presents a classic English anthem: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” by Edward Elgar. This timeless treasure features the prophetic words of Isaiah set to music in a beautiful symphonic style. With long lines and sweeping melodies, the choir is treated to some of Elgar’s best writing. It is always a treat when this text comes up in the liturgical year so we can sing this anthem again.

We are reminded this week of our lovely California weather and how lucky we are to enjoy the sunshine. This album of cheerful favorites comes from Matthew Owens and the Choir of Wells Cathedral in the UK, where the St. James Choir was due to sing this past summer. We hope to reschedule soon!

Listen to all the music HERE,

or sample each piece in the player below.

​This week we celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. We have celebrated the twelve days of Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany, and now we turn our attention to the early life of Jesus. His encounter with John the Baptist at the river invites us to renew our own baptismal covenant.

Listen to all the music HERE,

or sample each piece in the player below.

Experience the live broadcast of this year's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College, Cambridge. Despite the pandemic, the choir was able to record and broadcast this year's service from the chapel without congregation. You can imagine the ambiance of this annual tradition from home.

Enjoy all the music HERE,

​Or sample parts of it in the browser below.

This holy week of Christmas we celebrate the tradition of Lessons and Carols. A tradition first started at Kings College, Cambridge in the wake of World War I, every year the famous Kings College Choir of Men and Boys presents this famous service. Christmas would not be complete without it!

Play all the music HERE,

or sample each piece in the player below.

This weeks playlist focuses on Mary, mother of Jesus. From Gabriel's message of joy to Mary's loving response, this part of the Christmas story is told beautifully in music of many traditions.

Play all the music HERE,

or sample each piece in the player below.

Advent is a time to pause, listen, and prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. It is also the season for some of the best hymns in our tradition. Enjoy this playlist of hymns and anthems all about the expectation of Jesus' coming in Bethlehem and at the end coming at the end of days in judgement.

Enjoy all the music HERE,

​Or sample each piece in the player below.