Traditional Anglican Evensong (sung Evening Prayer) is a beautiful, and in this age, relatively unusual act of worship. Based on the services held daily in the medieval Church, Choral Evensong as arranged in the Book of Common Prayer has been sung regularly since the sixteenth century. It consists of the distinctive parts of the ancient services of Vespers and Compline - including the “Magnificat,” the canticle appointed for Vespers, and the “Nunc dimittis” appointed for Compline. Many people who are new to worship at Christ Church enjoy the contemplative feel of Evensong.
Choral Evensong typically occurs once per month - from September through May - at 5:00PM, sung by the Christ Church Choir and often followed by a reception.
Choral Evensong & Special Services during the 2025-2026 Season
September 28: Choral Evensong featuring music by Richard Ayleward, Henry Ley, Charles Villiers Stanford, and Lucija Garuta.
October 19: Sarum Choral Vespers celebrating the 500th anniversary of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina featuring his Magnificat Octavi Toni and the motet Exsultate Deo.
November 9: Solemn Choral Evensong with The Commemoration of the Departed - guest director Vince Edwards leads the CCB Choir in music of Bairstow, Sumsion, Parry, and Webb.
November 30: Choral Compline for Advent - A meditative evening office featuring The Great ‘O’ Antiphons of Advent chanted to Sarum Rite Gregorian chant amongst hundreds of candles.
December 7: An Advent Procession of Lessons & Carols - The Christ Church Choir sings carols for Advent from various points throughout the candlelit church.
February 1: Choral Evensong featuring music by Black & African-American composers, including works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Andre Thomas, David Hurd, Carl MaultsBy, and Lena McLin.
April 26: Choral Evensong during Eastertide, featuring music by Philip Radcliffe, Ernest Bloch, Sarah MacDonald, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, and John Ireland.
May 17: Choral Evensong for Ascension featuring music by Everett Titcomb, William Smith, Henry Smart, A. Herbert Brewer, and William Byrd.
