Welcome to Music at St. David’s! Praised by The Baltimore Sun as “remarkable…offering admirable variety and depth of repertoire,” our series includes concert, recitals and evensongs, and special festival services, as well as our Ensemble-in-Residence and Composer-in-Residence programs. This year we are please to welcome The Handel Choir of Baltimore Chandos Singers as Ensemble-in-Residence and Charles Shadle as Composer-in-Residence. We hope that you’ll sign up for the music series’ e-newsletter to learn more.
As music is a central aspect of worship, faith, and life at St. David’s, all our musical events are free so that all may participate in beautiful offerings that bring us closer to the divine and to each other. (The only exception are two ticketed partner events with the Lorelei Ensemble and Bach in Baltimore.) Because free-will donations cover only part of the cost of a music series of this scope, the primary financial support comes from the Friends of St. David’s Music; in other words, you! If music is a meaningful part of your life, we ask you to consider making a donation to help us continue to provide the community with exciting, engaging, and enlivening music.
A tax-deductible donation may be made securely through PayPal or Realm or by mailing a check payable to St. David’s Church with “music” in the memo to 4700 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, 21210. As a Friend of St. David’s Music, your name will be included in the list of supporters in each concert program, you will be invited to special events, and your donation will help ensure that the music offered by the musicians of St. David’s continues to bring joy and fulfillment to all.
Download our 25-26 season brochure here.
Unless otherwise noted, all programs will be streamed via our YouTube and Facebook pages.
Hildegard Recital & Evensong
Sunday, September 14 | 4:30 pm
This year’s Recital & Evensong for the Feast of Hildegard von Bingen features soprano Sarah Berger performing music of local composer Hilary Kruh.
Residency Concert: Handel Choir of Baltimore Chandos Singers
Friday, October 3 | 7:30 pm
This year’s Ensemble-in-Residence performs music of Handel for chamber choir and chamber orchestra.
Indigenous Peoples Recital & Evensong
Sunday, October 12 | 4:30 pm
Featuring a pre-service recital by the New York-base mezzo-sropano Kate Morton (Cherokee), followed by the World Premiere of a new set of Evening Canticles by Composer-in-Residence Charles Shadle (Choctaw).
Friends of Early Music: Relic
Sunday, October 26 | 4:00 pm
Period orchestra Relic performs The Spheres, a program exploring the cosmos as represented in the music of Lully, Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel.
Changeling Variations
Friday, November 7 | 7:30 pm
Director of Music Douglas Buchanan performs his new work for piano solo, Changeling Variations, alongside Beethoven’s Piano Sonata no. 30 in E major, Op. 109.
St. Andrew’s Recital & Evensong
Sunday, November 16 | 4:30 pm
St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated early with Celtic music featuring Kevin Elam (vocals, guitar) and Jesse Ofgang (bagpipes).
The Canticle Singers of Baltimore
Friday, December 5 | 7:30 pm
The Canticle Singers return for a festive holiday concert, filled with new music and old favorites.
Lorelei Ensemble: Frost and Fire
Saturday, December 13 | 7:30 pm
The GRAMMY-nominated ensemble of women’s and treble voices offers their winter tour program Frost and Fire. Please note this is a ticketed event and will not be livestreamed. Tickets available here.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 21 | 10 am
A service of carols and hymns drawing from the tradition popularized by King’s College, Cambridge.
Bach in Baltimore
Thursday, January 1 | 4 pm
We welcome partner organization Bach in Baltimore performing a concert of chamber music to celebrate the new year. Please note this is a ticketed even and will not be livestreamed. Tickets are available here.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recital & Evensong
Sunday, January 18 | 4:30 pm
Featuring mezzo-soprano Taylor Hillary Boykins performing works of Margaret Bonds, Xavier Montsalvatge, and Kathryn Bostic.
Frederick Douglass Recital & Evensong
Sunday, February 15 | 4:30 pm
We are joined by mezzo-soprano Gayssie Lugo in our annual celebration of Frederick Douglass, Orator of Truth and Justice.
The Baltimore Consort: In Angel’s Wede
Friday, February 20 | 7:30 pm
The internationally acclaimed early music ensemble performs music inspired by Mary, Queen of Scots.
The 50th Annual Baltimore Bach Marathon
Sunday, March 15 | 1:00-6:00 pm
This milestone concert includes music for organ and features the Mass in B minor, one of Bach’s masterworks for chorus and orchestra.
Music for Good Friday
Friday, April 3 | 7:30 pm
The life, love, and loss at the center of Holy Week is commemorated in a concert of sacred music.
Residency Concert: Handel Choir of Baltimore Chandos Singers
Friday, April 17 | 7:30 pm
Our Ensemble-in-Residence returns with a concert of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, featuring baritone soloist Ross Tamaccio.
Festival Recital & Evensong
Sunday, May 3 | 4:30 pm
Featuring a pre-service recital performed by Elisheva Pront and Jake Elfner.
Mozart Mass in D major
Sunday, May 24 | 10:00 am
W.A. Mozart’s mass in D major, K. 194, replete with string quartet, commemorates Memorial Day.
Friends of Early Music
Friday, May 29 | 7:30 pm
A program exploring the music and politics of 17th-century England and France, as well as improvisations from Italy and Spain.
Content warning: the music explored references substance abuse in Baroque Europe.
Pride Month Recital & Evensong
Sunday, June 7 | 4:30 pm
Baritone Rahzé Sinclair and Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia are featured in this year’s celebration.