He who sings prays twice - Saint Augustine
Music in worship at St. Mark's is drawn from the richness of the Christian religious tradition. As the Holy Spirit inspires the Church in every age, so the treasures of its music reflect that glorious diversity. Music is incorporated into every aspect of some of our services of worship. The music at St. Mark's is designed to draw every participant into the infinite mystery of God’s love, and to give voice to our praise and gratitude.
St. Mark's Choir with Choristers
The choir at the principal worship service is regularly comprised of 10 or so adult voices and occasionally treble voices. Some choristers are volunteers and others are compensated section leaders that we call Choral Scholars. The treble voices are participants in the Royal School of Church Music program at St. Mark's. For generation after generation St. Mark's has had outstanding music as part of its worship services. The strong choir is frequently supplemented with hand bells, trumpets, violins, harps, soloists, and other guest musicians. Adult Parish Choir - Rehearsals Sunday Mornings 8:30 - 9:45 RSCM Choristers - Rehearsals Sundays 12:00 - 1:00 (RSCM Choristers sing every 5-6 weeks) |
Choirmaster & OrganistJosh Duncan is our Choirmaster & Organist. He is responsible for planning all aspects of the music program at St. Mark’s. Originally from Georgia, he is a graduate of Andrew College & Georgia Southwestern State University and has served churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia as well as the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. He is also an active member of the American Guild of Organists--Louisville Chapter, Sewanee Church Music Conference and several other professional organizations. Josh is also a graduate from the Leadership Program for Musicians. Anyone interested in further information about music or participating in the music program at St. Mark’s is welcome to contact him in the church office or email him at music.stmarkslville@gmail.com. |
OUr OrganThe current organ that serves St. Mark's was built in the early 1980s by the Louisville-based Steiner-Reck Organ Company. Some of the pipework from the previous Moller Pipe Organ from 1948 was revoiced and used in the new organ. The first pipe organ ever used in worship at St. Mark's was built by the famous Pilcher Organ Company in the early 1900s, another Louisville-based company. William Pilcher was also organist & choirmaster during this time at St. Mark's until he sold the organ company during the Second World War. |
Organ renovation
In the Spring of 2017, the console of the organ underwent a major renovation converting it from the failing push-button, light-up stop configuration to an historically inspired terraced console with oblique drawknobs. In addition to this physical renovation, most of the organ was rewired and fitted with a new combination system built by Syndyne. The new combination system replaces the older combination system that reached its demise in the Summer of 2016. The Syndyne System allows us to use an almost unlimited combination of sounds and available stops. The work was carried out meticulously by David Schroth of D.C. Schroth Organ Builders of Louisville.
You can read more about the project by clicking on this link. Future work will include cleaning and regulation of pipework, and updating the relays once funds are raised.
You can read more about the project by clicking on this link. Future work will include cleaning and regulation of pipework, and updating the relays once funds are raised.
