With the strong encouragement of Father Andrew Cooley and involvement of a dedicated music committee, the Vestry took a bold step in 2004 and created a minister of music position at St. Mark's. On November 1, 2004, C. Scott Hagler began his duties, and on his first Sunday, prepared a men's ensemble to sing for the offertory at the 10:15 service. Within weeks, the newly formed mixed-voice choir had around 25 participants. "It was if lots of people were sitting by their phones just waiting to be asked to come and sing," Scott noted.

Now numbering around 30 voices, St. Mark's Choir has sung a variety of repertoire – from Baroque to Jazz – in Sunday services, led Evensong and Services of Lessons and Carols, and particpated in ecumenical performances involving choirs from Durango-area churches of Vivaldi's "Gloria" and Dale Wood's "Service of Darkness." They have sung with Sababa ("Cool Jewish Music"), performed by invitation at Mesa Verde National Park's centennial celebration, and sung with Cyprian Consiglio on the Animas Music Festival. Instrumentalists, both guests and those who are part of the St. Mark's congregation, have provided additional musical support. "This church is blessed with a lot of amazing talent," he said. "And the ability to draw from the excellent music faculty and students at Fort Lewis has been a huge boon to our program."

Scott grew up in the Four Corners area and was very involved in music and art. He returns to Durango after 15 years in Denver, where he most recently was director of music ministries at Park Hill United Methodist Church, associate music director and principal accompanist for the Arvada Center Chorale, and director of Rocky Mountain Ringers, a semi-professional handbell choir. "It's really good to be back," Scott commented. In addition to his duties at St. Mark's, Scott is also a visiting instructor at Fort Lewis College, where he teaches organ and piano, and conducts for the Durango Choral Society.

The program continues to expand with exciting new events including the Sacred Arts Festival, The Art of Living, and the Durango Bach Festival. Check back often!