Choirs & Ensembles
At Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA, music is woven into the fabric of our worship life. From ancient hymns to new compositions, our choirs, ensembles, and congregation lift their voices together each week. Whether you're searching for a choir to join, a community concert to attend, or a music program for your child, there is a place for you here.
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Adult Choir
Our adult choir sings music rooted in the breadth of the choral tradition—ancient and modern, familiar and new, simple and soaring.
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Youth Choir
The Saint Cecilia choir sings throughout the year and often joins with adult singers, forming a vibrant, intergenerational community of music.
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Bell Choir
Our bell choir gathers seasonally to prepare offerings for worship and special occasions. Each person holds just a few notes, and together a whole song emerges.
Adult Choir
Our adult choir sings music rooted in the breadth of the choral tradition—ancient and modern, familiar and new, simple and soaring. Volunteer singers and professional section leaders sing side by side, offering beauty and depth to the worshiping life of Saint Peter's.
The choir sings at the 10:15 a.m. service each Sunday from September through May, offering an offertory anthem and a communion motet—music chosen to reflect the season and deepen prayer. The repertoire ranges from Celtic folk tunes and French carols arranged for choir, to newly composed anthems by living composers, to classic motets in the English choral tradition and sacred works in Latin.
Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at 4250 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA September through May.
MUSIC EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE
Saint Cecilia Choir
The Saint Cecilia Choir is St. Peter's music education program for children, welcoming young singers ages 4 and up. Every Sunday morning from 9:00–9:15 a.m., children gather to sing and grow as musicians and as members of a worshipping community.
Students in grades 2 and up are invited to join Wednesday evening rehearsals September through May from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., where they develop music literacy, vocal technique, and a deeper repertoire. Wednesday singers have the opportunity to serve as soloists on Sunday mornings, and may join the adult choir for special occasions — building an intergenerational community of music across all ages at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. To accommodate busy family life, a light is served meal starting at 6:15 p.m.
Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., led by Jim Selway, a Juilliard-trained musician with decades of experience working with singers of all levels. A number of our youth also seek Jim out as a vocal coach as they prepare for school and community musical auditions.
No prior experience is required. Whether your child is just learning to find their voice or has been singing for years, they are welcome here.
Interested in joining? Reach out to our Director of Music.
Saint Peter’s Handbell Choir
Our handbell ensemble gathers seasonally to prepare offerings for worship and special occasions. Each person holds just a few notes — a chord, a melody fragment, a single chime — and together a whole song emerges. There is something quietly wonderful about that: music that belongs to no one voice alone.
The bell choir plays throughout the church year, offering occasional music at the 10:15 a.m. service. Recent offerings have included arrangements of beloved hymns and seasonal pieces, from "All Things Bright and Beautiful" at Easter to original works composed for handbells.
The bell choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings, 7:30–9:00 p.m. at Saint Peter's in Arlington, VA in advance of their performances. Rehearsals are led by Matteo Mangialetti, Saint Peter's Assistant Director of Music.
No prior experience is necessary — just an ear for music and a willingness to listen closely to the people on either side of you.
Occasional Ensembles
Smaller ensembles are also drawn from our choir community.
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St. Peter's Singers
The Saint Peter's Singers is an intergenerational chamber ensemble that brings together voices from the adult choir and the Saint Cecilia youth choir. The ensemble performs on select Sundays and at special services throughout the year, offering close-knit choral music that spans generations.
Members are drawn from the existing choir community — no separate audition required. Contact Jim Selway at jselway@saint-peters.org to learn more.
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Men's Choir
The Men's Choir is a smaller ensemble drawn from the men of the adult choir, singing periodically throughout the year at Saint Peter's in Arlington, VA. The group typically gathers for a single Saturday rehearsal each month, then leads worship at the following Sunday morning service — a low-commitment way to make music and build community.
Men with any level of singing experience are welcome. Reach out to Director of Music Jim Selway at jselway@saint-peters.org to find out when the next rehearsal is.
Seasonal Concerts & Community Music
Beyond worship, music at Saint Peter’s continues throughout the year in concerts and gatherings for the whole community.
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Annual Messiah Sing-along
Our most beloved community tradition, the Messiah Sing-Along welcomes singers and listeners from across the Arlington and Northern Virginia area. Typically held on the second Sunday of December at 4250 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, this free event celebrates Handel's oratorio in the joyful spirit of open community music-making. Scores are provided. No ticket required — all are welcome, whether you plan to sing every note or simply sit and listen.
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Seasonal Concerts
The Saint Peter's adult choir and ensembles offer spring and fall choral concerts in our sanctuary at 4250 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA. These free performances are open to the whole community — a chance to hear live choral music in a warm, intimate setting among the woods of our five-acre campus.
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Circle of Friends Concerts
Several times each year, Saint Peter's welcomes guest musicians to perform for the wider Arlington community. These free public concerts span a range of styles and offer an evening of live music, neighborly connection, and the beauty of our sanctuary space. No ticket required.
Questions? New singers are always welcome!
You do not need to read music or have formal training—just a willingness to show up and sing.
