n case you are planning to write us to ask a question or two, please read through the following questions and answers to see if what you are interested to know has already been explained. If we have not done so, please write to us with your questions.
What is Compline?
The Compline service comes from the last of the seven Roman Catholic monastic hours of the day (Lauds, Matins, Terce, Sext, Nones, Vespers, and Compline), and one of the eight Orthodox Hours. Typically, the service is done just before one goes to bed. The term ‘Compline’ (pronounced “Comp’ - lin”) comes from the Latin word completorium meaning ‘completion’, since the service completes the liturgy for the day. Please see the entry in Wikipedia for more information.
When and where does the Compline Choir sing?
The choir sings the Compline service almost every Sunday evening at 9:30 p.m. Pacific time, at St. Mark’s Cathedral on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. The exceptions to this schedule include the day Christmas Eve is on a Sunday (as it was in 2006) when the cathedral has a special Christmas Eve service, and when the weather is so snowy that travel is dangerous in Seattle. These exceptions are quite rare. The choir also sings in the Advent Procession, held on the evening of the first Sunday in Advent, which ushers in the new church year.
What version of the Compline service does the Choir sing?
The choir sings a version published by The Plainsong and Medieval Music Society in 1949. Its source is from the Proposed Book of Common Prayer (1928) for the Church of England. Please see the Other Links page for references to this and other versions of the Compline liturgy. Also, you can view the liturgy as sung by the choir.
Where does the music sung in the Compline service come from?
The Compline Choir makes use of several sources. The Compline liturgy of plainsong chants dates back to the medieval period of European history. Several of the ‘Nunc dimittis’ settings are from the time of the European Renaissance. Most of the psalm settings are the work of the choir’s founder, Peter Hallock, while the rest are mostly medieval chants. The Hymnal 1982, used in Episcopal churches in the U.S.A., is a source for many of the hymns and orisons sung in the service, which range in date from the medieval period to modern times. Likewise, the anthems sung each Sunday have a similar breadth of origin.
While the Compline Choir repertoire includes works from various historical periods up to the present time, it is limited in what it can do. The voicing of the choir — alto, tenor, and bass — places a constraint that can become a challenge when searching for additional repertoire. For example, it is rare to find an arrangement of exquisite works like "Beati quorum via" by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, as arranged for men’s voices by Richard Barnes. It is also a challenge for composers who write new works. Peter has written several anthems, hymn arrangements, and ‘Nunc’ settings for the choir over the years. Other composers have stepped up to the challenge: Richard Proulx, Roupen Shakarian, Jeff Junkinsmith, Kevin Siegfried, Brian Fairbanks, Doug Fullington, Nathan Jensen, Frank Ferko, Dana Marsh, Iain Quinn, Sean Glenn, and Jason Anderson.
To be sure, the choir has amassed a significant music library over the years. Yet it continues to search for more historical works to present in the service, and encourages today’s composers to write new music.
Are the people who sing the service monks?
No. Currently, no one in the choir is a member of the clergy. A former member of the choir, Father Ralph Carskadden, occasionally comes and reads the service as an officiant. Members of the choir have jobs of their own, are going to school, or are retired. Several have degrees in music, some are attorneys-at-law, some work for major corporations, some teach, and some are looking for work. Some are members of St. Mark’s Cathedral, though that is not a requirement. Some are Episcopalian, Roman Catholic, Lutheran or another denomination; some are not believers. All members volunteer their time and talents to sing the office of Compline.
How old is the Compline Choir?
How long has the choir been singing the office of Compline?
Please refer to a special page that answers these questions.
How long has the office of Compline been on the air?
It has been broadcast on Classic KING FM 98.1 since 1962. Other than the few years when it was on a one week tape delay, or the occasional evening when contact with the radio station is impaired, the office of Compline is broadcast live. Because Classic KING FM 98.1 streams its broadcast on the Internet, it can be heard around the world.
Are podcasts available of the Compline service?
Yes. The choir has come to terms with the issues and concerns it had regarding the whole process. Select services are available in .mp3 format for download. Because this new feature will incur expenses the choir has never had to bear previously, the choir needs financial assistance to cover these costs. (See the question below regarding donations to the Compline Choir.) The choir hopes this new feature will benefit the wider listening audience of the service. Let us know if these podcasts meet your needs.
Is Peter still conducting the choir?
Not any more on a regular basis. Peter Hallock, who founded the Compline Choir, has retired from being its director. He makes “special appearances” with the choir from time to time, as he did on Dec. 13, 2009. He has some unfinished projects to complete, and will make himself available to the choir for consultation.
Who is now conducting the choir?
Jason Anderson was named director of the Compline Choir on July 2009. He brings a wealth of experience in choral and church singing to the choir. He will continue the tradition begun by Peter Hallock, having been a member of the choir since 2004 and made an academic study of the life and musical works of Peter Hallock (D.M.A. Dissertation, University of Washington, 2007).
Is the choir available for hire?
No. While the recognition is appreciated, the mission of the choir is to sing the office of Compline. The choir has been involved with special projects and concerts, but these have been in support of singing the service. There is no truth to the rampant rumor that the choir does weddings and bar mitsvahs. The choir has sung at the funerals of members of the choir. It has also sung at special services and conferences at the request of the Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.
Is the composition of the choir strictly all male?
Yes. On rare occasions the choir has been supplemented by female singers and instrumentalists.
How does one become a member of the Compline Choir?
Membership is exclusive, and new members are brought in only when there are openings for Alto (countertenor), Tenor, or Bass vocal parts. There is a process a candidate undergoes before he is able to join. A candidate must have experience as a classical musician prior to joining. The candidate has to demonstrate his ability to sing: he must sing with the choir at several rehearsals, where members evaluate his abilities to read music (square note and modern notation), to blend with the choir, vocal quality and musical discipline. The candidate must be willing to devote Sunday evenings to singing the service and make it a high priority.
Why is there a need for giving monetary donations to the choir? Doesn’t the money I give each Sunday in the offering basket at St. Mark’s go to the choir?
It is important that people who come to the Compline service give an offering. The moneys collected each Sunday evening go to St. Mark’s Cathedral. The cathedral uses these funds to pay for the light bill, the utilities bill, the heating bill, and the staff that help maintain the building. For the past several years, contributions have been steadily decreasing. It is hoped that this trend can be reversed.
The Compline Choir does not receive any portion of the moneys that are collected on Sunday evenings. The choir is solely dependent on contributions that are made directly to it. The choir continues to accept checks (made out to The Compline Choir) via snail mail:
The Compline Choir
C/O St. Mark's Cathedral
1245 10th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98102
Thank you for your contributions and offerings. They are greatly appreciated.