Choir Tours North America

In June 2015, the St. Mark’s Choir embarked upon a nine-day tour of North America, making stops in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Montréal. Choirmaster Tinsley Silcox, Organist and Assistant Choirmaster Glenn Stroh, and three faculty chaperones led 28 choristers. The biennial trip gave the boys a chance to share their incredible talents with the nation and experience the history and culture of three of the continent’s major cities.

 

The first stop on the tour was Washington, D.C., and it didn’t take long for the boys to engage the nation’s capitol. On the very first evening, the boys put on an impromptu performance inside the Lincoln Memorial. At the feet of the 16th president, the choristers performed a rendition of the “Song for Unsung Heroes.”

 

The next morning, the group met up with Ike Crews ’08, a member of Dallas Congressman Pete Sessions’ staff, who guided the Marksmen through the U.S. Capitol. He provided an in-depth look at the inner workings of the legislative branch, and he even secured a visit to the House of Representatives’ Chamber, where congressmen were debating bills in an open session. The choir then visited the Library of Congress, where they received a special tour organized by Nick Anderson ’61 and Ford Peatross, Founding Director for the Library’s Center for Architecture, Design and Engineering. The boys saw the first map of America, a Gutenberg Bible, and a special presentation of rare items from the Library’s music division, including Renaissance partbooks and original manuscripts signed by Bach. 

 

The third day began at Arlington National Cemetery, where the Choir laid a wreath and paid their respects at the tomb of John F. Kennedy. The connection between their hometown of Dallas and the 35th president was not lost on the boys. They then proceeded to the Tanner Amphitheater to perform an a cappella concert in honor of America’s fallen heroes. Arlington Cemetery posted video and photos of the performance to their own social media sites, where they were seen and “liked” by hundreds.

 

That same evening, the boys sang a Choral Evensong service at Washington National Cathedral. Among those listening in the audience was St. Mark’s newly appointed Chaplain, Rev. Stephen Arbogast.

 

From Washington, the boys traveled to New York City, where they performed at the United Nation Headquarters. Throngs of international visitors stopped to revel in the harmonic sounds that filled the atrium. The boys sang a variety of songs, including pieces like "Famine Song," which seemed to take on added significance and emotion at the UN.

 

The Choir then headed north to Canada and the French-Canadian city of Montréal. After a bit of sightseeing, the boys performed a service at Christ Church Cathedral. Their voices easily filled one of Canada's greatest houses of worship, and were heard across the country on Canadian National Radio, which broadcast the event.

 

The choristers concluded their tour the next day at the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal, where they performed in front of their largest crowd. Hundreds of parishioners, tourists, and guests sat mesmerized while the boys sang on the altar.

 

“I’m so proud of our Choir and its rich history,” said Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini. “Having traveled abroad with our Choir before, I know how hard the boys work in preparation for the tours and how much they give to and take away from the cultures and people they meet. They serve as incredible ambassadors of our School and the greater Dallas community.”

 

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 United States. During the academic year, the Choir performs at daily 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 in residence at some of the oldest and most famous Cathedrals around the world as part of their biennial international tours.  Most recently, the Choir toured England and South Africa. This was the Choir's 15th Tour.