In these pandemic times, when neither choir nor congregational singing is advisable we are continuing to find new ways to lift our voices in song and make a joyful noise unto the Lord in worship.  Singers and instrumentalists of all ages and abilities are welcome to offer their musical gifts to support the worship life of St. Mark's during this season. 
Find links to sheet music and audio recordings below, to assist you in learning music for upcoming services.

Singers and instrumentalists of all ages and experience levels are welcome. ​
Get to Know our Sacred Songs!

Whether or not you consider yourself "a singer", music is a central way we all pray together in worship each week.  Join us as we spend some time each week getting better acquainted with the hymns and songs we sing in worship at St. Mark's. 

Each week we'll meet to warm up, explore, learn, and sing together one or two hymns/sacred songs that we will sing in worship at St. Mark's in the coming weeks.  Join us on Sundays at 11AM in Sylvia's Personal "Zoom Room" (Meeting ID is the same # as Sylvia's cell: 510-932-1315).   

After "meeting" the song together on Sunday morning,  if you are willing to help create a recording of the song for worship, you are invited to record yourself singing the song anytime during the following week (using the voice memo app on a tablet or smart phone) and share your voice recording with me via email:   sylvia.miller.mutia@gmail.com or text 510-932-1315.     All ages and experience levels are welcome. ​


Upcoming Songs

Listen to Complete Choral Track
Please make your own recording by singing along with these complete choral tracks.
​Send the final recording of your part to Sylvia (510-932-1315/sylvia.miller.mutia@gmail.com)

"Come Heavenly Comforter" recordings DUE: Monday, 1/18 9AM
"Pour Down you Heavens" recordings DUE: Monday, 1/25 9AM

Listen to Learn Individual Parts

Use the following recordings to help you learn and practice your individual part. 
COME HEAVENLY COMFORTER
Parts on PIANO (to help you hear and practice pitch)
And coming soon...
​ if you prefer to practice your individual part with another human voice, below are recordings of Sylvia+ singing each part.  (Basses should sing an octave down, of course.) 
POUR DOWN YOU HEAVENS
Parts on PIANO (to help you hear and practice pitch)
And coming soon....
​if you prefer to practice your individual part with another human voice, below are recordings of Sylvia+ singing each part.  (Basses should sing an octave down, of course.) ​
Recording Instructions
​
In order to participate in the recording you will need:
  1. Your Music (printed out or otherwise readily available)
  2. A computer (or tablet) for "zooming"
  3. Headphones or earbuds, connected to the device you use for "zooming"
  4. A smartphone or tablet with "voice memo" or "voice recorder" open and ready to record. 
THEN
  1. Listen to the accompaniment track with your headphones from your "zooming" device.
  2. Sing along, and record your own voice singing your own part using the "voice memo" or "voice recorder" function on your smartphone or tablet.  ​
  3. Send me your voice recording via email:   sylvia.miller.mutia@gmail.com or text 510-932-1315.

Other Projects

Nada te turbe (Taize chant in 4 parts)
Ya viene el Alba (Song in Spanish, in 4 parts) 
​Verses 1, 3, 5 in unison; Verses 2, 4, 6 in parts.

Experimenting with Orthodox Chants with Donnel

PARTS: 
Melody: sung by a singer/cantor
Ison: is a drone note, or a slow-moving lower vocal part, used in Byzantine chantand some related musical traditions to accompany the melody. It serves to support the melody, and not to transform it into a harmonized or polyphonic piece.
Historically, it is the oldest genre of extant music that is monophonic and sung acapella. It is a tradition that provided musical treated to all sacred texts. See 2 examples below. 
CHANT 1 (Melody): "God Calls Each Star By Name"
Lyrics Guide
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