My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
Psalm 57:7

Music at St. Paul's

The music program and ministry at St. Paul's Church is highly regarded not only by its parishioners, but by the larger bay area community. Our music program, mirrors the diversity of our parish, of our community, and celebrates the rich and variegated history of sacred Christian music. During a typical service at St. Paul’s, the congregation may sing Gregorian Chant, Lutheran Chorales, Victorian Hymns, Negro Spirituals and Gospel music. St. Paul’s Church has truly magnificent acoustics and the congregation makes full use of those acoustics in their hymn-singing and chanting, most beautifully elevated in the contemplative monthly services of Compline and Evensong.

We invite you to walk through our doors on any Sunday, and join us in praising God through song, with gratitude in our hearts; and to experience the beauty and power of sacred music in this sacred space.

Compline: Gregorian chant and polyphony in candlelight. Fourth Sundays, 8:00pm.

Evensong: Psalms, canticles, hymns, and anthems, sung by the Chapel College Men and Boys Ensemble, directed by Christopher Kula. First Sundays Oct-June, 4:00pm.

History and description of the Allen Memorial Organ, designed by Austin Organs, 1934, here. 
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St. Paul's Choir sings every every Sunday morning at 10am.
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Commemorating 9/11, with the choir from Caius College, Cambridge.

Concerts

St. Paul's is regarded as one of the best concert venues in the East Bay.  In recent years, the Church has held and hosted concerts by renown groups such as Grammy award-winning Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble, San Francisco Choral Artists, Prometheus Symphony Orchestra, Piedmont East Bay Children's Choirs, Pacific Collegium, Trinity College, Cambridge, among many others.

See our full Concert schedule here.
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Concerts are all year long

Support St. Paul's Music Program

Friends of Music (FOM) is a group of individuals who support the music ministry of St. Paul’s through their time, talent and treasure. Friends of Music seek to further the mission of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, by enhancing music for worship, and by inspiring St. Paul’s congregation and larger community.

Efforts by St. Paul’s Friends of Music during 2017 supported creation of the beautiful music we enjoy every week and on special days, provided much-needed funds for the parish budget, donations to cover the extra costs for music at special services, and brought thousands of people though our doors for services and concerts.

- 65 services, including Choral Eucharist, Compline, First Sunday Evensong, and special services for Holy Week, Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, and Memorial services.
- 16 Concerts, by 13 Groups.

To get involved, email music@stpaulsoakland.org.

Gifts of Music to the David Farr Memorial Fund

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We hope that you will consider a generous gift to the David Farr Memorial Fund, to support the music programs of the parish, and to honor David, who brought his considerable knowledge and talent to advance the ministry of sacred music here at St. Paul’s. You can drop your check in the plate at service, mail it to the church office, or pay by credit card (see  Donate  button below).

Please annotate your gift to the "David Farr Memorial Fund."