Choral Services at the Cathedral of St. Philip

Listen to choral services, recorded live at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, each Sunday at 4 p.m., September–May. Most services are Choral Evensong (sung Evening Prayer), which dates from the sixteenth century, yet has its roots in the far more ancient Daily Offices of Vespers and Compline. One of the jewels of our Anglican/Episcopal worship tradition, Evensong has given birth to one of the largest and richest bodies of sacred music outside of the Mass itself. It is, at its heart, a contemplative worship service, and much of the service is sung by the choir alone, employing sounds that span the known history of Christian music. At the formal close of Evensong, an intimate “liturgy of the table” is celebrated for those who wish to receive Communion. Occasionally a classically sung Choral Eucharist, or a diocesan confirmation, or a service of Lessons and Carols takes the place of Evensong.

Choral Evensong (December 14, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Third Sunday of Advent. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. Choral repertoire includes: Richard Shephard (1949-2021), Preces & ResponsesRichard Ayleward (1626-1669), Short Servicearr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), The great forerunner of the mornAnna Lapwood ((b. 1995), Drop down ye heavens from above

12-15
56:03

Advent Procession with Lessons & Carols (November 30, 2025)

This Advent Procession with Lessons & Carols, sung by the Cathedral Choir, observes the beginning of the season of Advent. The officiant is the Very Rev. Sam Candler. Choral repertoire includes: The Great O AntiphonsThe Advent ProseJudith Weir (b. 1954), Drop down, ye heavens, from above“Lo, he comes with clouds descending” HelmsleyBen Parry (b. 1965), Adam lay ybounden“Savior of the nations, come!” Nun komm, der Heiden HeilandCristóbal de Morales (1500-1553), Veni Domine“Come, thou Redee...

12-01
02:00:37

Choral Evensong for the Reign of Christ (November 23, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Reign of Christ. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. Choral repertoire includes: Charles Beaudrot (b. 1951), Preces & ResponsesHerbert Howells (1892-1983), Collegium RegaleCarson Cooman (b. 1982), King of glory, King of peaceGabriel Jackson (b. 1962), A Prayer of King Henry VI

11-24
01:07:46

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Margaret of Scotland (November 16, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Margaret of Scotland. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Ashley Carr. Choral repertoire includes: Charles Beaudrot (b. 1951), Preces & ResponsesGabriel Jackson (b. 1962), Truro ServiceOwain Park (b. 1993), Beati quorum viaAnnabel Rooney (b. 1973), Round me falls the night

11-17
58:42

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Leo of Rome (November 9, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola and Cathedral Choristers, observes the Feast of Leo of Rome. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon David Boyd. Choral repertoire includes: Craig Phillips (b. 1961), Preces & Responses, St. David’s, RoswellCharles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) in CGerre Hancock (1934-2012), Kindle the gift of GodDavid Briggs (b. 1962), Ubi caritas

11-10
01:01:54

Choral Evensong for the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem (October 26, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. Choral repertoire includes: Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Preces & ResponsesRoland Martin (b. 1955), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo, in DHerbert Howells (1892-1983), O pray for the peace of JerusalemStephanie Martin (b. 1962), Let all mortal flesh keep silence

10-27
01:09:44

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Ignatius of Antioch (October 19, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Ignatius of Antioch. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon David Boyd. Choral repertoire includes: William Smith (c. 1603-1645), Preces & ResponsesWilliam Byrd (1539/40-1623), Third ServiceWilliam Byrd (1539/40-1623), O quam gloriosumCharles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924), Justorum animae

10-20
01:03:17

Choral Eucharist for the Feast of St. Philip (October 12, 2025)

This service of Choral Eucharist, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of St. Philip, Deacon and Evangelist. The celebrant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Ashley Carr. Choral repertoire includes: Jean Langlais (1907-1991), Messe SolennelleRichard Webster (b. 1946), The Invitation

10-13
01:22:24

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Birgitta of Sweden (October 5, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Birgitta of Sweden, Mystic. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener. Choral repertoire includes: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b. 1963), Preces & Responses (Trinity Service)Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b. 1963), Trinity ServiceSarah MacDonald (b. 1968), Sing, my soul, his wondrous loveErnest Bullock (1890-1979), Give us the wings of faith

10-06
01:03:00

Choral Evensong for the Feast of St. Michael & All Angels (September 28, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of St. Michael & All Angels. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Ashley Carr. Choral repertoire includes: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b. 1963), Preces & Responses (Trinity Service)Edward Bairstow (1874-1946) in DWilliam Harris (1883-1973), Faire is the heavenRichard Dering (c. 1580-1630), Factum est silentium

09-29
01:04:05

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Thecla of Iconium (September 21, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Choir, observes the Feast of Thecla of Iconium. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Salmoon Bashir. Choral repertoire includes: Bernard Rose (1916-1996), Preces & ResponsesJessica French in G minorHerbert Howells (1892-1983), Te Deum (Collegium Regale)Elizabeth & Thomas Coxhead, My eyes for beauty pine

09-22
01:03:26

Choral Evensong for the Feast of the Holy Cross (September 14, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of the Holy Cross. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon David Boyd. Choral repertoire includes: Thomas Morley (1557/58-1602), Preces & ResponsesThomas Tomkins (1572-1656), Fifth ServiceClaudia Francesca Rusca (1593-1676), Adoramus te, ChristeJacobus Clemens non Papa (1510-1556), Crux fidelis

09-15
01:00:20

Choral Evensong for the Eve of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 7, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. Choral repertoire includes: Stephen Caracciolo (b. 1962), Preces & ResponsesHoward Helvey (b. 1968) in B flatJohn Tavener (1944-2013), A Hymn to the Mother of GodJohn Joubert (1927-2019), There is no rose of such virtue

09-08
01:04:00

Choral Eucharist on the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 18, 2025)

This service of Choral Eucharist, sung by the Cathedral Choir, observes the Fifth Sunday of Easter and the final 4:00 Sunday service of the season. The celebrant and preacher is the Very Rev. Sam Candler. The Cathedral Choir premieres a new choral Eucharist setting by rising British composer, Kerensa Briggs. This Messe Solennelle was commissioned for our Cathedral Choir in memory of the Reverend Kirk Lee (organist emeritus David Fishburn’s late partner). Further choral repertoire includ...

05-19
01:35:13

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Julian of Norwich (May 11, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Julian of Norwich. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener. Choral repertoire includes: Stephen Caracciolo (b. 1962), Preces & ResponsesHerbert Howells (1892-1983), Sarum ServiceWilliam Mathias (1934-1992), As truly as God is our FatherStephen Paulus (1949-2014), Every soul who has willingly served

05-12
01:12:48

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Athanasius of Alexandria (May 4, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Athanasius of Alexandria. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon Ashley Carr. Choral repertoire includes: Philip Radcliffe (1905-1986), Preces & ResponsesWilliam Walton (1902-1983), Chichester ServiceĒriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977), O salutaris hostiaDavid Briggs (b. 1962), O Lord, support us

05-05
01:00:20

Choral Evensong on the Second Sunday of Easter (April 27, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Second Sunday of Easter. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. Choral repertoire includes: Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Preces & ResponsesGeorge Dyson (b. 1953) in DCraig Phillips (b. 1961), We walk by faith and not by sightHoward Helvey (b. 1968), Awake, arise!

04-28
01:04:26

A Meditation on the Passion of Christ, with Carols (April 13, 2025)

Prelude at 0:00; service begins at 21:08 One of the most moving choral services of the year, this meditation employs lessons & carols, spirituals, anthems, motets, and congregational hymns to illuminate the Passion of Christ, which is retold using biblical narratives from Mark, Matthew, and John, sung to some of the most ancient plainchant known to the Church. The officiant is the Rev. Salmoon Bashir. Choral repertoire includes: “Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended” Herzliebster JesuJo...

04-14
01:43:19

Choral Evensong for the Feast of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (April 6, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon David Boyd. Choral repertoire includes: Joel Martinson (b. 1960), Preces & ResponsesGerald Near (b. 1942), On Plainsong ThemesThomas Tallis (1505-1585), Lamentations of Jeremiah, Part 1William Byrd (1539/40-1623), Civitas sancti tui

04-07
01:09:42

Choral Evensong for the Feast of John Donne (March 30, 2025)

This service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola, observes the Feast of John Donne. The officiant and preacher is the Rev. Canon George Maxwell. Choral repertoire includes: Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Preces & ResponsesOrlando Gibbons (1583-1625), Short ServiceEleanor Daley (b. 1955), Hymn to GodWilliam Byrd (1539/40-1623), Look down, O Lord

03-31
01:04:22

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