The St. Paul’s Choir School, founded in September 2007, offers first-rate vocal training for youth in grades K - 12 in a nurturing Christian environment. Rooted in the excellence of the Anglican musical tradition, the St. Paul’s Choir School develops each student's musicianship to the fullest, and also nurtures invaluable life skills of team work, leadership, discipline, and self-confidence. Based in the rigorous and acclaimed Royal School of Church Music training program, the Choir School has served more than 130 San Francisco Bay Area youth, many on scholarship, and grown to an annual roster of nearly 30 students.

Investing in the future of church music today, St. Paul’s Choir School is dedicated to giving youth the training and opportunities that allow them to participate fully as leaders in the ministry of music at St. Paul's. The rehearsal schedule features small group instruction that is at once challenging and fun. For Choristers and Teens, this also includes weekly rehearsal time with the St. Paul’s Chancel Choir, an intergenerational experience that allows children, teens and adults to join in offering music of timeless beauty to the peninsula community. 

Read about the choirs of the Choir School and the schedule of rehearsals on the Choirs page. 
Membership at St. Paul’s is not required to sing in the choirs at St. Paul’s.

For further information about joining the choirs of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, contact our Director of Music, Dr. Susan Jane Matthews, at smatthews@stpaulsburlingame.org, or at
650.348.4811.  She’ll be glad to arrange a time for a voice introduction for you and/or your child.

 

 

 

The Royal School of Church Music  (RSCM)

Since November 2005, the St. Paul’s Chorister program has been affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music RSCM; (www.rscmamerica.org).

Founded in England in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson, the RSCM remains dedicated to the highest standards of music in the church.  It has grown to become an international and ecumenical organization with more than 11,000 affiliates in North America, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and throughout Europe.  

Two of the main offerings of the RSCM are: 
1.  VOICE for LIFE, an acclaimed structured choral training guide 
2.  Annual week-long summer courses for choristers in various regional locations

The RSCM VOICE for LIFE Chorister Training Program is structured in four levels:  light blue, dark blue, red, and yellow. Each level represents successive, individual achievements in vocal skills, musical understanding (theory and sight-singing), knowledge of repertoire, liturgy, and special projects that help place the ministry of the choir in the broader context of worship life. Workbooks and cards with specific targets allow choristers to work through the four levels at an individual pace at St.Paul's, and to prepare for the RSCM bronze, silver, and gold award exams.