Choir Completes Residency in England

Marksmen crossed the Atlantic this summer to share their talents with and explore the history and culture of the United Kingdom. For St. Mark’s 19th Biennial International Choir Tour, 31 choristers and six faculty chaperones spent two weeks traveling across England, performing in some of the country’s most historic cathedrals and churches, including St. Mary’s of Kirtlington in Oxfordshire, the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford, and a week-long residency at the 900-year-old Norwich Cathedral.  

 

The group visited historic landmarks including Warwick Castle, the British Motor Museum, and Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s ancestral home. For their first public performance, the Choir sang at a church benefit for St. Mary the Virgin in Kirtlington. Both churchgoers and employees were thankful for the boys’ participation in the historic church fundraiser. 

 

As the first half of their international tour concluded, the Choir led music for Sunday morning services at University Church. From Oxford, the choir traveled to Norfolk to begin their residency at Norwich Cathedral. While in residency at this magnificent 900-year-old cathedral, the boys sang several Evensong services. Click here to watch the boys perform the anthem "Sing My Soul" during a Sunday morning service at Norwich Cathedral. 

 

“The opportunity to experience life as a cathedral chorister, with a regime of daily rehearsals and sung services, has been eye-opening for many and helped all level up their chorister skill set,” said Stroh. “It was wonderful to see them lifting each other up, giving kudos to the younger boys who have gained valuable experience, and for us all to witness the senior choristers grow into confident leaders. Their contributions throughout this trip helped us all thrive.” 

 

Throughout the trip, the Choir rehearsed with special guest directors including Daniel Tate from the world-renowned Choir of New College, Oxford, and Dr. Barry Rose, OBE, former Choirmaster at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. 

 

The boys were led by St. Mark’s Organist and Choirmaster Glenn Stroh, along with faculty chaperones Greg Crook, Lauren Logan, Ryan Hershner, and Garrett Kheshtinejad, and former staff member Ann Dilday. Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini and his wife Nancy also accompanied the boys for part of their trip.   

 

The Choir of St. Mark's School of Texas, affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music since 1951, is known as one of the pre-eminent boys’ choirs in the U.S. During the academic year, the Choir performs at chapel services, monthly Evensong services, the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, Baccalaureate, and various events in and outside of the St. Mark's community. The Choir is regularly invited to perform at some of the oldest and most famous cathedrals in the world as part of their biennial International Tours. In addition to the United Kingdom, tours have included South Africa, France, Canada, New York, and Washington, D.C.