Adult Choirs
The Choir of Saint Philip’s
Our main adult choir averages about 45 people and is open to all adults with basic choral and vocal skills who have a strong commitment to regular attendance and a willingness to practice outside regular rehearsal times.
Weekly rehearsals for the 2025-2026 program year are at 7:00pm on Thursday evenings. The occasional Saturday dress rehearsal prior to First Sundays runs from 9:30am-12:00pm.
Schola Cantorum
This choir is made up of members from the adult choirs who participate in Choral Evensong.
Saint Morwenna Voices
This choir is made up of senior youth choristers and alumna who sing at Choral Evensong. Morwenna was a Welsh saint who lived in Cornwall in the 6th century, and who is remembered for her humble, sometimes unnoticed, faithful services on behalf of others.
Lay Clerks
The professional singers who perform the core of adult ensembles, Schola Cantorum, and the Choir of Saint Philip’s. They also sing services by themselves occasionally.
Canterbury Apprentices
These are senior youth who sing in as many services as lay clerks but in a training capacity.
Finzi Singers
This project choir performs occasional services during the year, and is composed of Saint Philip’s lay clerks (professional singers) and approximately 16-24 additional experienced choristers.
Children and Youth Choirs
Saint Philip’s works to cultivate young musicians in a warm and supportive environment. Staff members work closely with Royal School of Church Music America, an organization that endorses high-quality choral music in a sacred context.
The training is multi-faceted. It teaches children and youth how to sing, but it also provides opportunities to learn leadership skills, discipline, music theory, and liturgical understanding. The experience creates long-lasting friendships and community.
Saint Nicholas Choir-Ages 8-High School
This choir is normally comprised of boys and girls age 8 through high school or until voice change. They practice weekly and sing at Sunday morning worship services and at Choral Evensong.
The children study from the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Voice for Life curriculum. Certain outstanding members are sponsored to attend the annual summer RSCM courses. There are also opportunities to study with a view to earning Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, examinations which are normally held at these summer courses. Additional study and preparation is needed for these awards.
Youth ages 6-8
At present, the music program does not have a dedicated choir for youth younger than age 8. However, Saint Philip’s is committed to helping younger students segue into full chorister responsibilities. On approval of the Music Director, youth in the 6-8 age range may join the Saint Nicholas Choir on a limited basis, taking into account the child’s maturity and parental commitment.
If you have a younger child and are interested in him or her beginning choral education, Dr Justin Appel would be pleased to speak with you about this opportunity. Please email him at Justin.Appel@stphilipstucson.org.
Summer Choir
Saint Philip’s tradition during the summer months is to have a summer choir. Anyone who would like to sing should meet at 9:30am in the Music Center to rehearse for 30 minutes before the 10:00am worship service.
If you have ever considered singing with the choir but not tried it, then this is a wonderful opportunity to explore your interest. There is no need to RSVP or to wear choir robes. Just drop in and join the rehearsal on any given Sunday during the summer.
The summer choir sings on Sundays from the end of May through Labor Day weekend.