Experience an exceptional array of contemporary and traditional choral music, organ, piano, Native American flute, instrumentalists, and inspiring worship every Sunday in Newport Beach.
There are moments in worship when music does more than fill a space—it transports the way we experience it.
A soaring choral anthem. The powerful sound of the organ. The warmth of a guitar. The distinctive voice of a Native American flute. A congregation joins together in a song.
At St. James the Great, music is an essential part of the worship experience. Our Music Ministry brings together accomplished singers, talented musicians, and dedicated musical leadership to create a worship experience that is both beautiful and inspiring.
Located in Newport Beach, St. James the Great is proud to offer a rich musical tradition that reflects the diversity, creativity, and spiritual depth of our community.
A Music Ministry of Exceptional Talent
The Music Ministry at St. James the Great brings together a remarkable group of singers and instrumentalists under experienced musical leadership.
At the heart of the ministry is Mark T. Purcell, Director of Music and Parish Organist, whose leadership brings together the many musical elements of worship. Kibsaim Escárcega serves as Conductor, helping guide the parish choir in its preparation and performance.
The St. James Parish Choir includes soprano, alto, tenor, and bass/baritone section leaders, creating the rich vocal foundation necessary for a full choral sound.
Together, these musicians create a musical experience that honors the beauty of sacred music while embracing a wide range of musical expressions.
From the Organ to the Native American Flute
One of the distinctive qualities of the St. James the Great Music Ministry is its musical diversity.
The organ remains a powerful presence in worship, providing the grandeur and tradition associated with Episcopal worship. But the musical experience at St. James the Great extends beyond the organ and choir.
Our worship music can also include guitar, flute, saxophone, drums, Native American flute, and other instrumental expressions, creating a rich and dynamic soundscape. A recent worship service, for example, featured organ, flute, saxophone, choir, and soloists as part of the musical offering.
This variety allows the Music Ministry to honor sacred musical traditions while also creating space for contemporary and culturally diverse expressions of faith.
A Choir That Brings Voices Together
The St. James Parish Choir is more than a group of people who sing together. It is a community of musicians who rehearse, prepare, listen, and work together to create something greater than any individual voice.
Throughout the year, the choir performs a wide range of sacred repertoire, from traditional hymns and classical choral works to contemporary compositions and arrangements.
The upcoming musical repertoire includes works by composers and arrangers such as Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Handel, Tallis, Duruflé, Young, Pote, and others.
Each Sunday offers an opportunity to experience a different musical expression while remaining connected to the heart of worship.
Music as a Ministry
At St. James the Great, music is not simply performance.
It is ministry.
Every anthem, hymn, instrumental piece, solo, and musical response has the opportunity to help people pause, reflect, pray, celebrate, and connect more deeply with their faith.
It can bring comfort in difficult moments, joy in celebration, and a sense of connection when an entire congregation raises its voice together.
That is why the musicians of St. James the Great are not simply performers. They are ministers who use their gifts to help create an environment where people can encounter the sacred.
Do You Have a Gift for Music?
The St. James the Great Music Ministry welcomes musicians who want to share their gifts in service to the church.
If you are an experienced singer and would like to explore joining the choir, you can schedule an audition with the St. James the Great Music Director.
Whether your musical gift is your voice, an instrument, or another form of musical expression, there may be a place for you within this vibrant community.
Learn More About Our Music Ministry
For more information about the St. James the Great Music Ministry, please contact the music director, Mark T. Purcell, at mark@stjamesnewport.org.
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Because at St. James the Great, music isn’t simply something we hear.
It is something we experience.
It is something we share.
And it is one of the ways we encounter the presence of God.
