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.

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.