Music at St. Peter’s

St. Peter’s loves to make music. Over 60 volunteer musicians enhance our worship through several choral groups. We also offer concerts throughout the year featuring local artists and our own choir. Our annual Messiah sing-along will celebrate its 31st anniversary this December.

Mr. James Selway, the Director of Music, playing the piano on Sunday morning for worship at 10:15 a.m.

–– Leadership

Director of Music

Organist and Choir Master James Selway leads the music program at St. Peter’s as organist and director of the St. Cecelia’s Choir and St. Peter’s Singers. He brings musical expertise, creativity, flexibility, and a sense of joy to the entire music program.

Four women singing together in a musical performance at Saint Peter's.

–– Worship

St. Peter’s Choir

The St. Peter’s Choir embraces a wide range of choral music, including anthems by contemporary American composers like Daniel Gawthrop, and Rene Clausen; 20th-century masters including Copland and Vaughan Williams; baroque/Renaissance composers Bach, Handel, and Gibbons; 19th-century masters including Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Fauré; and St. Peter's resident composer James Jillson Selway.

The St. Peter’s Choir enjoys the musicianship of professional section leaders. You can read about these musicians here.

  • The Saint Peter's choir dressed in blue robes with white sashes singing in a church, accompanied by Jim Selway, Music Director at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA.

    St. Peter's Singers

    A regular presence at Sunday services, the Choir rehearses twice a month on Wednesday nights. Its 20-25 members offer a wide range of anthems – including contemporary choral works, Renaissance motets, Mozart and more.

  • Children singing in the Saint Cecilia Choir for Sunday morning worship at 10:15 AM.

    St. Cecilia Choir

    The St. Cecelia’s choir is our youth choir which sings several Sunday mornings a month and rehearses on Wednesday evenings. They are sometimes joined by adults in St. Peter’s Singers (SPS) to form a vibrant intergenerational choir!

  • A group of men and boys singing in a choir in a room with a grand piano, bookshelves, and windows, led by a conductor.

    Men's Choir

    This terrific group of gentlemen sings and rehearses once a month. The Men’s Choir embraces a wide variety of traditional and classical music.

Woman singing at one of Saint Peter's concerts.

–– Community Events

St. Peter’s Is a Place with Music for All

The music program at St. Peter’s includes seasonal community concerts and sing-alongs, that feature the talent of local musicians. The “Circle of Friends” concert series offers several concerts each year. Every December St. Peter’s hosts the Messiah sing-along.

Join us!

Music is a universal language

Try one of our ensembles. It’s a wonderful way to praise God and make friends. Jim will help you find the song that dwells within you.

Featured Music

The Saint Peter's Choir singing hymns during Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m.

Jesus Shall Reign

Mr. James Selway, the Director of Music, playing the piano on Sunday morning for worship at 10:15 a.m.

And Catch the Heart Offguard

Members of the Saint Peter's choir singing an anthem on Sunday morning for worship at 10:15 a.m.

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Close-up of Mr. James Selway, the Director of Music, playing the piano on Sunday morning for worship at 10:15 a.m.

Be Thou My Vision