Music at Bethesda
2024-2025 Season
Under the expert direction of Choirmaster Dr. Stuart Forster, our 2025 musical season promises an exceptional lineup of performances.
Highlights include the beloved Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, held on the weekend closest to The Epiphany, along with a rich array of concerts, Evensongs, and choral services throughout the year.
Click here to download and print our 2024-2025 music list with the Concerts and Choral Services for the season.
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Bethesda Choir
The Bethesda Choir is an auditioned ensemble, under the leadership of Dr. Stuart Forster, Associate for Music and Liturgy. Our choir is well known and respected in the community for its fine singing and musicianship and is responsible for leading the congregation and music in all of our major services. The choir’s repertoire draws on the vast legacy of the Anglican/Episcopal cathedral tradition, spanning six centuries and styles from Renaissance polyphony to living composers.
Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from September through May. The choir sings on Sunday mornings at the 11:00 a.m. service, as well as at services on many Feast Days and Holy Days. From October through May, the choir provides leadership in a special choral service, such as Evensong, the All Souls’ Requiem, or a Festival of Lessons & Carols. There are several services during the year at which the choir sings music of a larger scale—sometimes with orchestral accompaniment. The Bethesda Choir is the centerpiece of our annual Christmas Concert and also plays a major role in our Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival.
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Our Magnificent Organ!
MORE THAN 6,000 PIPES!
The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea houses a magnificent organ comprising more than 6000 pipes. As one of the largest and finest instruments in the south, the organ contains 115 ranks of pipes, distributed over nine divisions, allowing the organist to blend multiple choruses from around the building. Click here to Learn more about the Bethesda Organ.
Upcoming Concerts & Choral Services
September 1: tickets go on sale to the general public for the October 28 Polyphony concert
October 1: those who purchase season passes may choose seats for December 17 Christmas Concert and January 3–4 Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival
October 5: the full Bethesda Choir returns to the 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
October 28: concert by Polyphony at 7:00 p.m.
November 1: tickets go on sale to the general public for December 17 Christmas Concert and January 3–4 Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival
November 2: the Bethesda Choir sings at the 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist through the end of April
November 2: All Souls’ Requiem at 4:00 p.m., with orchestra and the Bethesda Choir. This year’s service will include Fauré’s exquisite setting of the Requiem
December 7: Advent Lessons & Carols at 4:00 p.m., with the Bethesda Choir [preludes at 3:40 p.m.]
December 17: Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m., followed by Tree Lighting reception
December 24: Christmas Eve at Bethesda. Pageant & Eucharist at 4:00 p.m.; Festal Eucharist with brass, percussion, and full Bethesda Choir at 7:00 & 10:00 p.m. [choral preludes at 6:40 & 9:40 p.m.]
December 25: Christmas morning at Bethesda. Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m. with the Bethesda Choir
December 28: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols at 11:00 a.m.
January 3 at 3:30 p.m. and January 4 at 2:00 & 4:30 p.m. Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival
February 1: those who purchase season passes may choose seats for April 21–22 concerts by the choir of Westminster Abbey
Also on February 1: Begin Spring Evensong Series. Nicole Marane will play an organ recital at 3:30 p.m., then the Bethesda Choir will lead Evensong at 4:00 p.m.
March 1: tickets go on sale to the general public for April 21–22 concerts by the choir of Westminster Abbey
Also on March 1: the Concert Choir from Palm Beach Atlantic University will perform a recital at 3:30 p.m., conducted by Sonia Santiago. Then the Bethesda Choir will lead Evensong at 4:00 p.m.
March 29: Palm Sunday at Bethesda. The Bethesda Choir will sing at the 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharists to begin Holy Week.
April 2: Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m., with the Bethesda Choir
April 3: Good Friday service at 12:00 noon, with the Bethesda Choir. This service will include Victoria’s setting of the St. John Passion and Sanders’ setting of the Reproaches
April 4: the Great Vigil of Easter at 7:00 p.m., with the Bethesda Choir
April 5: the Bethesda Choir will be joined by brass and percussion at the 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Festal Eucharists for Easter Day
April 21–22: the choir of Westminster Abbey will sing concerts at 7:00 p.m.
May 3: James David Christie and John Finney will play a 4-handed recital of music by Mozart at 3:30 p.m. Then the Bethesda Choir will lead Evensong at 4:00 p.m.
Contribute to our Music Ministry
We welcome your tax-deductible contribution toward
the expenses of our series.
As a contributor, your name will be listed in all printed programs
for our concerts (not, of course, for the services). We look forward
to greeting you at many of our future events!
Mail your donations to:
Music at Bethesda
141 South County Road
Palm Beach, FL 33480