Compline by Candlelight — Advent
Candlelight, silence, scripture, and unaccompanied sacred music
Wednesdays during Advent at 8:00 pm
Candlelight, silence, scripture, and unaccompanied sacred music offer a quiet space to rest, reflect, and prepare for the coming of Christ. Compline is the ancient office that closes the Christian day. Brief, direct, and contemplative, it gathers psalms, scripture, responses, prayer, and song into a final act of trust before night. During Advent, its quiet character provides a counterweight to the increasing pace of December. The season's themes of watchfulness, longing, and hope emerge without the brightness of Christmas arriving too soon. The church is illuminated by candlelight, changing the familiar sanctuary into a space where architecture recedes and listening becomes more attentive. Those who come may participate quietly or simply sit within the words, music, and silence. Each Wednesday service is complete in itself, so visitors may attend a single evening or return throughout Advent as the approach to Christmas draws nearer. No previous knowledge of Compline or Episcopal worship is expected. The series is free and open to the public, offering worshippers, musicians, neighbors, and anyone seeking respite from the week a beautiful way to end the day and prepare for the coming of Christ. Individual lines remain clear even as they combine into richer harmony, and the resonant acoustic of St. James allows the sound to surround the listener without losing intimacy. Periods of silence are an essential part of the service, giving the words and music time to settle rather than pressing immediately onward. Advent is often overtaken by the celebrations of Christmas before the season has had a chance to speak in its own voice. Compline by Candlelight preserves that distinction. Its atmosphere is expectant rather than festive, attentive to the mystery of waiting and to the possibility that quiet itself can be spiritually fruitful. The service lasts approximately an hour or less and requires no ticket or reservation.
About the Artist
The Schola Cantorum of St. James by-the-Sea is a small professional vocal ensemble dedicated to the performance of sacred choral music within its liturgical setting. Drawing upon the breadth of the Western choral tradition, the Schola’s repertoire includes Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, Anglican music, and works by contemporary composers.
The ensemble’s chamber scale allows for exceptional clarity, flexibility, and intimacy, qualities particularly suited to unaccompanied repertoire and the resonant acoustic of St. James by-the-Sea. The Schola sings for Choral Evensong, Compline by Candlelight, and other services requiring the precision and expressive range of a professional chamber choir. It also leads an annual Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols in St. Mary’s Chapel at The Bishop’s School.
Directed by Alex Benestelli, the Schola approaches sacred music not simply as concert repertoire, but as a living part of worship. Through attentive ensemble singing, clear communication of text, and thoughtful programming, it creates space for reflection, prayer, and renewed encounters with centuries of choral tradition.