evensong | the choir | the music | the organ

Evensong at St. Francis

Acolyte lighting candles for Evensong
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Instrumentalists
Evensong procession
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Choir singers

The final Evensong of the 2007-2008 season took place on June 8, and featured music for strings, woodwinds, and harpsichord, including selections from Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock and the Evening Canticles in F by George Dyson. The major works sung were the cantata Now let all loudly sing praise to God by Jan Bender, written in 1937 as a thank-offering for the composer's release from a German concentration camp, and the premiere of Now rest beneath night's shadow by Chicago composer Paul Bouman, music especially commissioned for the occasion.

September 2008 will mark our tenth season, and there will be five Choral Evensong services throughout the year: September 28 (Eve of St. Michael), November 26 (our parish Thanksgiving service), February 8 (Evensong for the Epiphany season), March 29 (Evensong for the Lenten season), and May 31 (Day of Pentecost). Our 2008-2009 Evensong brochures, with the music list for these services, will be published in August. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive a brochure, send us your postal mailing address. In the meantime, please reserve these dates and plan to join us for our 2008-2009 Choral Evensong season.

These hour-long services, each followed by a reception in the Guild Hall, are offered free to the public (a free-will offering is collected at each Evensong to benefit a designated charity or project). There is ample street parking at the church, and the buildings are wheelchair accessible.

Evensong photos by Michael Devitt. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

evensong | the choir | the music | the organ

St. Francis' Parish Choir

Image of SFE Choir - Christmas 2001

The St. Francis' Parish choir sings the 10:00 a.m. service most Sundays from mid-September through mid-June. Weekly rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings, with additional rehearsals before Christmas and Easter. The choir sings three or four Choral Evensongs during the year on Sunday evenings, accompanied by professional instrumentalists.

Choir membership is open to those with a pleasant voice who can read music or learn it quickly. The ability to match pitch and blend vocally with others and the willingness to take direction and modify one's singing for the success of the group is required, as is a commitment of time and effort to faithfully attend rehearsals and sung services. To arrange an audition, contact Robert Kerman, Organist & Choirmaster.

evensong | the choir | the music | the organ

10:00 a.m. Sung Eucharist Music, Summer 2008

The St. Francis Choir is on holiday until mid-September. During the summer months, music for the 10:00 a.m. sung Eucharist is provided by ad hoc vocal ensembles. The 8:00 a.m. Eucharist continues as a spoken liturgy throughout the year.

evensong | the choir | the music | the organ

About the Pipe Organ at St. Francis’ Episcopal Church, San Francisco

Built by Werner Bosch Orgelbau, Kassel, Germany, this instrument was installed and voiced by Mr. John West of San Francisco.

Werner Bosch Orgelbau Opus 604, 1971

Pedal (AGO standard)

  1. Pommer 16’
  2. Principal 8’
  3. Choralbass 4 + 1 1/3’
  4. Fagott 16’
  5. Koppel I/Ped
  6. Koppel II/Ped

Schwellwerk (61 notes)

  1. Gemshorn 8’
  2. Spitzflöte 4’
  3. Nazat 2 2/3’
  4. Principal 2’
  5. Terz 1 3/5’
  6. Kleinnasat 1 1/3’
  7. Scharf III
  8. Tremolo

Hauptwerk (61 notes)

  1. Gedackt 8’
  2. Principal 4’
  3. Rohrflöte 4’
  4. Flachflöte 2’
  5. Mixtur III-IV
  6. Schalmei 8’
  7. Man-Koppel I/II

4 general pistons

4 general piston toe studs

I/Ped Reversable toe stud

Slider windchests

Electric stop and key action

Facade pipes of St. Francis' Episcopal Church organ

The organ at St. Francis' Episcopal Church, San Francisco

The console of the St. Francis' Episcopal Church organ

The two keyboards

Stop tabs

evensong | the choir | the music | the organ


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This web site is maintained by Mark Wade Lieu Updated June 16, 2008