Evensong for Everyone
Evensong for All Saints Sunday featured Psalms, readings, hymns, and music celebrating saints in every age. The choir sang the Magnificat & Nunc dimittis in A of William Denis Browne, a Cambridge-educated composer whose life was tragically cut short during World War I. The anthem is a setting of 8th-century poetry by the Venerable Bede with music by contemporary British composer Cecilia McDowall. The glittering music and ethereal harmonies elicit the splendor of eternity and the endless day where the saints reside with Christ.
Join us in-person at the Cathedral or on YouTube streamed live for our monthly Choral Evensong presented by members of the St. John's Cathedral Choir. Our last evensong service was on Sunday, November 1st at 5:00 PM, All Saints Sunday.
Past Services (Click image for video)
2020
2019
2018
What is Evensong?
(Click image for video)
Choral Evensong grew out of the monastic tradition of chanting psalms and praying as a community several times each day. At the time of the creation of the first Anglican Book of Common Prayer, the monastic offices of Vespers and Compline were combined to form Evening Prayer. The convention of singing the service led to the name Evensong (as in Evening Prayer Sung). The service is unique to English cathedrals and collegiate choirs, a tradition that continues to thrive and develop. This contemplative service opens a window into the eternal through the lens of music. A mystical encounter with the sacred finds its voice in the English choral tradition.