The Chorister Academy at St. John's Parish

New Chorister Academy Director Arianne Abela Reflects on the Importance of Choral Singing

2010-10-11T05:56:00.000-04:00

New Chorister Academy director Arianne Abela radiates both joy and enthusiasm when she talks about choral singing.

"Everyone is on the same beam, listening to each other, supporting each other as each human voice contributes to the song," Arianne says. "When you sing, your body is the instrument."

A life-long singer and a recent graduate of the Yale University School of Music/Institute of Sacred Music with a Master of Music degree in conducting, Arianne has been singing since she was six years old, when she became a part of the San Francisco Girls Chorus. So intense is the choral singing experience that the friends she made in that chorus in her early childhood remain her best friends today.

Arianne is excited about her new position as Chorister Academy Director at St. John's Parish-on-the-Green because she looks forward to helping young people from the Brass City make "deep and meaningful connections" in the same way she has as a singer, a student of music, and a leader of various choral groups in the Elm City.

"My experience growing up is that belonging to a choir can help you build confidence, independence, a value for hard work, and a sense of commitment. Belonging to a choir can enhance how you feel about yourself," she says. "It can help young people come out of their shell."

The Chorister Academy is open to boys and girls in grades 3 through 12. For more information, please contact the church office at 203-754-3116.

St. John's Announces Arianne Abela as New Director of Choristers

2010-09-04T21:15:00.006-04:00

Arianne Abela, an award-winning Yale University-trained conductor, has been named director of the Chorister Academy at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Waterbury. She succeeds Maria Coffin, founder of the six-year-old youth music program, based at the church, located at 16 Church St.

Ms. Abela graduated in May from the Yale University School of Music/Institute of Sacred Music with a Master of Music degree in conducting.

“We at St. John’s are thrilled to have a young conductor who brings such a depth of experience,” said the Rev. Norman M. MacLeod, Interim Rector of the parish, located at 16 Church Street.

The Rev. MacLeod is serving the parish as it searches for a successor to the Rev. James Bradley, who retired in April after a 20-year ministry in Waterbury.

The Chorister Academy at St. John’s is associated with the parish but is open to youth from third grade through high school, regardless of religious background. It employs the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music, designed both to teach music fundamentals and encourage excellence in performance.

The first rehearsal and auditions led by Ms. Abela will take place at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9 at St. John’s.

In addition to her skills as a conductor, Ms. Abela is an accomplished singer and soloist, having spent years performing with the San Francisco Girls Chorus, which awarded her for her leadership, commitment and excellence. As an undergraduate at Smith College, she performed with the Chamber Singers, College Chorus and Glee Club. While attending the Northampton, Massachusetts college, she began her conducting career. Before graduating in 2008, she received the Susan Rose Award, granting her full funding to travel to Bulgaria to conduct the Verdi Requiem with the Vidlin State Philharmonica Orchestra.

While at Yale, she conducted or assisted with the Yale Glee Club, the Yale Camerata, the Saybrook College Orchestra, the Yale Chapel Choir and the Yale Repertory Chorus. She also conducted professional choirs at Christ Episcopal Church, New Haven.

The Chorister program is open to new members. For more information, please call the church at 203-754-3116 or visit the parish Web site.

'We Learned How to Sing the Meaning of Music'

2010-06-06T18:07:00.006-04:00

In this day and time it seems very hard to keep friends close forever. Just like Jim Bradley: he will be missed, but we have to move on with our lives knowing that things will get better here. As you can see today is Mrs. Coffin's lsat day of being our choir teacher.

As the head chorister, I want to say that you will be missed. We appreciate all those six years that we got to enjoy with you.

I can just remember my first time coming into choir. I wasn't really interested, but something about it made me come back for more. I really didn't know how to sing. To be honest, I didn't even k now how to hold a piece of music paper. But look at us now. Our voices changed, and we learned how to sing the meaning of music.

Music is my passion, and it always will be.

Mrs. Coffin, you will not be forgotten. Your love and support have been appreciated. Please know that you will always be in our hearts and in our prayers. We want to wish you the best in life.

I wish you could stay with us but it was your decision to move on with life, and we all accept it. The choristers will miss you a lot. You are one of a kind.

We love you, Mrs. Coffin, and we wish you the best.

-Diana Hernandez, Head Chorister

Evensong for Easter, April 23, 6:45 P.M.

2010-04-04T19:44:00.003-04:00

The Evensong service for this season will be on Thursday, April 8, at 6:45 p.m. in the church. Please join the choristers in this ancient and beautiful service of sung evening prayers.

Evensong at Trinity Church, Hartford

2010-03-13T12:12:00.001-05:00

Choristers Arrive at Trinity Church, Hartford, for Festival

2010-03-06T22:14:00.001-05:00

Choristers to Participate in Hartford Choir Festival

2010-02-17T20:33:00.002-05:00

The Chorister Academy will participate in a choir festival at Trinity Church, Hartford, on March 6 and 7. All are invited to the Festival Choral Evensong at Trinity Church, Hartford on Sunday, March 7, at 5 p.m. The director will be Vince Edwards of St. Paul's, Norwalk. Several choirs from the Hartford area will participate, among them St. James, West Hartford; and Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford. It will be a wonderful event.

Choristers to Sell Fascia's Chocolates for Easter Starting Feb. 21

2010-02-17T04:38:00.003-05:00

Starting February 28, the Choristers will be selling Fascia's chocolates for Easter to raise funds to send choristers to summer choir courses. Please see Chorister Academy director Maria Coffin or one of the choristers to purchase chocolates. Prices range from $2.95 to $10.95 for chocolate bunnies, crosses, and assorted chocolates. Sunday, March 21, will be the last day for orders. Pick-up will be March 28.

Evensong for Epiphany

2010-01-15T21:45:00.001-05:00

Two Friends Concert to Support Chorister Academy

2010-01-12T19:37:00.002-05:00

Friends Jenni Li and Coffin will present a concert of music for flute, organ, and piano on Sunday, February 14, at 4 p.m. The concert will take place in the church, where we will be able to use the wonderful McManis organ, and in the library, where we will be able to use the Yamaha piano. The concert will feature music by Rutter, Faure, Lachner, Alain, Chopin, and Rimsky-Korsakov.

The event will benefit the Chorister Academy and its programs. Admission is free, but anyone who donates any amount to the event will be given a ticket entitling the holder to a 10 percent discount on any meal at Signatures restaurant on Leavenworth Street in Waterbury during the entire month of February. Donations will be accepted at any time, so you can redeem your ticket before February 14 if you wish.

Choristers Join the Adult Choir

2010-01-09T19:12:00.001-05:00

Evensong for Epiphany

2009-12-26T19:23:00.000-05:00

The Chorister Academy will sing Evensong for Epiphany on Thursday, January 14, at 6:45 p.m. All are welcome.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T18:40:00.003-05:00

Christmas Eve

2009-12-22T20:50:00.003-05:00

We will be singing at the 4 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, so that means we have to warm up before the service. If you were at the rehearsal today, December 22, you should come at 3.15 p.m. If you weren't with us today, you should come at 3 p.m. just to make sure you have everything in place, as we will be a very important part of the 4p.m. service.

On Christmas Eve morning I urge you to listen at 10a.m. to the service of Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge, England on the radio at 90.5FM on your radio dial. Earn a point by telling me something about the service later that day. You will recognize some of what you hear.

Our first rehearsal after Christmas will be on Tuesday, January 5 at the usual time, 4p.m. On Thursday the 5th we will have our post-Christmas party with games and Secret Santa. Diana will hand out the names for Secret Santa on Thursday after the service. Please do not spend more than $5.00 on your present.

The Intrepid Choir

2009-12-21T08:17:00.004-05:00

Chorister Academy Director Maria Coffin and lone chorister Adella Carlson sang with the adult choir on Sunday, December 20, when snow kept the others home.

Welcome, New Choristers

2009-12-17T20:32:00.002-05:00

Middle school students Aviel and Michelle are our newest choristers. Welcome!

Choristers Sing on Christmas Eve

2009-12-11T19:06:00.000-05:00

The Chorister Academy will sing at the 4 p.m. Family Christmas Service with Holy Eucharist.

***

The Vispera de Navidad: Santa Eucaristia will take place at 7:30 that evening. At 10 p.m. will be the Festive Eucharist with Choir and Instruments.

On Christmas Day will be a Holy Eucharist and Carols at 10 a.m.

Evensong for Advent, December 10

2009-12-06T19:00:00.002-05:00

The first service of Evensong for this season will be held on Thursday, December 10, at 6:45 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Chorister Academy will sing Evensong for Advent. Join the choristers i this ancient and beautiful service of sung evening prayers.

"Here will we sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears:

Soft stillness and the night become the touches of sweet harmony."

(Shakespeare)

St. John's Holiday Festival, 2009

2009-11-15T17:31:00.001-05:00

Voice Coach Marissa Famiglietti Works with Choristers

2009-11-07T10:19:00.003-05:00

Voice coach Marissa Famiglietti works with the Chorister Academy on Thursday evenings. A soprano, Marissa is a graduate of the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Classical Vocal Performance program at the Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Famiglietti studies voice with Metropolitan Opera baritone Mark Oswald. Click here for Marissa's bio.

Images from Rehearsal and Worship

2009-10-11T19:26:00.001-04:00

Choristers to Sponsor an All Hallows Eve Square Dance

2009-10-01T21:21:00.002-04:00

Join us for an "All Hallows Eve" square dance harvest festival and costume party! This fun evening will be sponsored by The Chorister Academy, the Church School, and the Festival of Learning.

St. John's Church

Saturday, October 31

Starting at 6 p.m.

This will be a pot-luck supper, so bring a dish to share.

St. John's Summer Camp, August, 2009

2009-08-18T07:31:00.000-04:00

The Choristers' Pool Party, Thanks to Alice

2009-06-24T19:35:00.001-04:00

June 21: "My Heart Ever Faithful" (J.S. Bach)

2009-06-22T05:44:00.003-04:00

Singing at the Church of the Transfiguration

2009-04-21T04:12:00.001-04:00

The Choristers at The Church of the Transfiguration, New York City, April 19

2009-04-20T20:55:00.002-04:00

Easter Morning

2009-04-14T21:22:00.000-04:00

Bishop Laura Visits with the Kids at St. John's

2009-03-29T16:16:00.003-04:00

Bishop Laura spent some time at the end of worship on Sunday, March 29, talking with the kids at St. John's about her hat, which she said reminded her of the Holy Spirit, and her staff, which reminded her that the Good Shepherd wants her to be a shepherd and take care of everyone.

Choristers Receive Awards on March 8

2009-03-08T20:00:00.003-04:00

On Sunday, March 8, the choristers sang an announcement about our next Evensong on Thursday, March 12, at 6:45 p.m. Also on Sunday, the following award were made:

Probationers to full choristers: Sarah Martello and Brandon White; and
Dark Blue ribbons to twelfth-grader Susy Cromwell (left) and fifth-grader Adella Carlson (right).

'What's to Love About the Choristers?' Part II

2009-03-06T16:25:00.004-05:00

Paula says she likes singing the best

and Pamela she likes seeing her friends and singing.

Compiled and photographed by Adella Carlson.

What's to Love about Being a Chorister?

2009-03-02T16:48:00.019-05:00

Brandon likes "new songs and music."

Zani says she lies "learning new music."

Sarah says she likes "learning new songs," too.

Cherry on the other hand, likes "the New York trips" the best.

Lindsey agrees the trips are her favorite part of being a Chorister.

Raven says singing is her favorite activity as a Chorister.

Krystal says she most likes "helping new kids."

Shaina likes when "we sing."

Adella says she loves "making new friends and learning new songs."

Compiled and photographed by Adella Carlson

Chocolate Sale to Benefit Choristers' Bus Trip to Sing in NYC

2009-02-17T09:23:00.004-05:00

The choristers are planning a trip to New York City on Sunday, April 19, the Sunday after Easter. We have been invited to sing with the choir of the Church of the Transfiguration (the Little Church Around the Corner) one block from Fifth Avenue.

The Choristers are selling Fascia's chocolates for Easter to raise funds to cover the $1100.00 cost of the bus. Please see Chorister Academy director Maria Coffin or one of the choristers to purchase chocolates. Prices range from $2.95 to $10.95 for chocolate bunnies, crosses, and assorted chocolates. The last day to place an order will be March 22.

Choristers' Plant Sale Will Benefit Members Attending Girls' Course at St. Thomas

2009-02-16T08:57:00.003-05:00

The Chorister Academy hopes to send three of its members to the Girls' Course at St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue in New York City from July 26 to August 2. We have sent girls tot his course for the past two summers, and it has been a wonderful event for the choristers and the Chorister Academy when they return with their new knowledge and skills. The cost for each girl is $720. The choristers will be selling plants for Mother's Day to defray this cost. Please support us!

Click here to view previous posts about our choristers at St. Thomas Church.

Choristers Attend Diocesan Choirmasters Conference

2009-02-14T07:07:00.004-05:00

With our academy director Maria Coffin, some of our choristers attended the diocesan choirmasters' conference at St. Paul's in Fairfield on Saturday, January 3.

Choristers' Fellowship

2009-02-12T22:21:00.002-05:00

'
The choristers enjoy a hot meal and fellowship during rehearsal. Every Thursday, parent volunteers heat and serve the food prepared by Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries' Soup Kitchen for the kids.

Choristers Sing at Gathering of Episcopal Clergy

2009-02-04T20:59:00.003-05:00

Choristers from Trinity Church, Newtown, and St. Peter's, Cheshire, joined the choristers of St. John's for a Compline service at the Crown Pointe Hotel in Southbury, where the Conference of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut was meeting.

Holiday Celebration

2009-01-05T09:15:00.001-05:00

Family Christmas Eve Service

2008-12-24T21:52:00.001-05:00

Choristers Sing at Christmas

2008-12-07T16:36:00.003-05:00

The Chorister Academy at St. John's will sing at the 4 p.m. Family Christmas Eve worship service. (There will be a 7:30 p.m. Vispera de Navidad service in Spanish and a 10 p.m. Festive Eucharist with Choir and Instruments, as well. On Christmas Day, there will be a 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Carols service. The Chorister Academy will not be singing as a group at these services.)

The Four Choirs Festival

2008-10-26T11:03:00.001-04:00

Click here to sample some of the music from Evensong.

Please Save These Dates

2008-09-14T20:30:00.004-04:00

Saturday, September 27: Potluck square dance from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Bring food for the food bank as well as food to share with the group.
Friday through Saturday, October 24-25: Four Choirs Festival ending with Evensong at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Tuesday, November 4: Choir Day from 9:30 to 2:30 p.m. Bring your lunch for a day of fun with all of the choristers.
Thursday, December 4: Advent Evensong at 6:45 p.m. after the regular rehearsal. Parents and friends are welcome.
Sunday, December 7: Lessons and Carols for Advent

Choristers to Meet September 4 at 5 pm

2008-09-01T09:05:00.000-04:00

The Chorister Academy at St. John's Church, on the Green in Waterbury, begins its fifth year on Thursday, September 4, at 5 pm. There is a limited number of openings for young people who would like to learn to sing the great music of the church and who would like to receive a basic music education.

Membership in the choir is for young people in grades 3 through 12.

A Training Choir for children in grades K-2 will begin rehearsals on Thursday, September 11, at 4 pm. Children who participate in this choir will receive musical training through participation in musical games, singing, and other musical activities.

The director of both choirs is Mrs. Maria Coffin, and she will be happy to talk to interested families about their children's membership in either choir. Please call her at 203-754-3116 for more information.

Chorister News from Maria Coffin, Director

2008-08-10T18:25:00.003-04:00

The Chorister Academy begins its fifth year with a new and expanded program. Our new development is the Training Choir for children in grades K through 2 and older children who wish to join the Chorister Academy but have no musical experience. The Training Choir will meet on Thursday afternoons from 4 to 4.45 p.m. and will include singing, learning to read music, musical games, and anything that will make young children comfortable and excited about the wonderful experience of singing choral music. It is hoped that the Training Choir will be ready to sing in church by Christmas.

The Chorister Academy will continue to meet on Tuesdays from 4 to 5.30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 5 to 7.15 p.m. and will now be able to concentrate on learning more difficult music. The members will also be working on earning their various color ribbons. We have young people working on the first ribbon (light blue), the second ribbon (dark blue) and the third (red). We hope to have reached some of our goals by Advent.

New members of either choir are eagerly sought and will be welcomed. They will be asked to meet with the director to determine their placement. Please call the church office at 754-3116 to arrange to talk with the director.

Be sure to mark on your calendar the Festival Evensong to be sung by the Chorister Academy and visiting choirs on Saturday, October 25 at 4 p.m.

Chorister Awards, June 8, 2008

2008-06-08T19:46:00.008-04:00

Chorister Academy Director Maria Coffin awarded cottas to the Academy's newer members and recognized others for their special achievements this year. Here are pictures of the choristers who received cottas and of Diana Hernandez, whom Ms. Coffin appointed as head chorister. Ms. Coffin praised Diana, who has been a chorister for four years, for her regular attendance and active participation during this time.

Mrs. Coffin also recognized Krystal Dover, Susy Cromwell, and Mitchelle Torres, who will attend chorister camp at St. Thomas Church in New York City this summer.

For their noteworthy involvement in the Chorister Academy, Mrs. Coffin also noted the following:

Adella Carlson's regular attendance, Cherry Terrero-Ortiz's improvement, Susy Cromwell's helpfulness, Jonathan Singleton's carrying her very heavy tote bag, Raven's perfect attendance and being the librarian, and Susana and Mitchelle Torres for consistent participation over four years.

Choristers' Talent Show

2008-06-06T13:15:00.004-04:00

The Chorister Academy ended the school year with a talent show at St. John's. Choristers' families brought plenty of food for a pot-luck supper before entertainment in the sanctuary. Parents were treated to poetry readings; a cappella singing; guitar, piano, and clarinet recitals; dancing; and a finale from the choristers themselves. They sang, "There's a Place for all God's Children in the choir. " It was a beautiful, blessed evening.

Four Choristers to Attend Choir Camp at St. Thomas

2008-05-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

Mitchelle Torres, Raven Walker, Krystal Dover, and Susy Cromwell will be attending choir camp at St. Thomas Church in New York City this year.

Choristers Sing at GWIM Fund-raiser

2008-05-21T11:31:00.001-04:00

Choristers Visit with Mrs. Connecticut after GWIM Concert

2008-05-21T08:49:00.003-04:00

After the Chorister Academy sang 10 interfaith songs at the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries May 20 pasta supper fund-raiser, it spent some time with Mrs. Connecticut, Lynnette Letsky Piombo, who was at St. John's to support the GWIM event. She helped each chorister try on her beautiful tiara. Ever the good sports, the boys joined in the fun, too!

The Choristers sang the Israeli folk hymn "Hashivenu," "O Gracious Light," "Festival Alleluia," "Al Shlosha D'Varim," "Jubilate!," "Christ Has no Body but Yours," the Sufi Islamic chant "Alla Hoo," "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," and "An Irish Blessing."

RSCM America Publishes 'Five Choirs' Story

2008-05-21T06:42:00.004-04:00

The Spring 2008 issue of the Royal School of Church Music America newsletter includes a story about the Five Choirs Festival at St. John's last October. Please click here to read it! (You'll need to scroll down to page 6.)

Click here to read other posts about the Five Choirs Festival.

Bach's Bible

2008-05-03T22:50:00.001-04:00

Click here to watch a brief video about Bach's Bible.

Poem: 'Choristers' by Joshua Singleton

2008-04-27T17:33:00.002-04:00

Sing unto God with songs of praise.
We are the Choristers,
The rooftops of churches we raise!

Beautiful high notes that flutter around,
Sometimes some notes that haven't even been found.
Songs in Spanish, Hebrew, French
For the tunes and notes that we must clench
To impress the audience
That have come to admire
The wondrous sounds of this lovely choir.

Sung unto God with songs of praise.
We are the Choristers,
The rooftops of churches we raise!

(Joshua Singleton)

Helping out with the Sharon Garden Project

2008-04-21T14:51:00.007-04:00

Chorister Adella May Carlson spent last weekend helping out at the Sharon Garden Project in Sharon, Connecticut. For the past nine years, Dan and Mary Gates have welcomed St. John's Parish and Waterbury Baptist Ministries onto their land to grow fresh vegetables for the patrons of the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries (GWIM) and the Jubilee Harvest run by the Baptist church. (Read more about this endeavor here.) Adella spent much of her time rolling out sheets of black plastic that keep weeds from taking over the garden. She also took pictures and wrote about the Project here.

The GWIM soup kitchen provides dinner for the Chorister Academy every Thursday evening during rehearsal, so Adella was glad to give back to the people who have given her so much.

Diana Hernandez, Head Chorister

2008-04-13T12:52:00.004-04:00

Diana Hernandez, who is in Grade 9 at Wilby High School in Waterbury, is our new head chorister. She is also a charter member of the Chorister Academy. She has developed a beautiful singing voice as a result of her commitment and genuine interest. Congratulations, Diana!

Inspiring Worship: Confirmands, Choristers, and MLK, Jr.

2008-04-08T06:17:00.003-04:00

The confirmation class planned and led worship on April 6, 2008, which focused on faith in action and was inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. Honoring the 40th anniversary of King's death, confirmation class wrote a Psalm that called for peace and justice in our time. Chorister Academy director Maria Coffin set the Psalm to music, and the Chorister Academy sang it. You can hear the two spirituals that the Academy sang in the podcast in the sidebar of this blog.

Easter Music at St. John's

2008-03-23T21:08:00.004-04:00

Our podcast in the sidebar on the right contains audio recordings of our musical offerings on Easter Sunday, 2008. Please listen and be with us in Spirit.

Lenten Love Song

2008-03-21T09:48:00.001-04:00

The Chorister Academy sang "A Lenten Love Song" at the Maundy Thursday service on March 20. You can hear this song if you press the arrow on the podcast in the sidebar on the right. God bless.

Upcoming Chorister Events

2008-03-20T11:03:00.003-04:00

Thursday, March 20: Singing during the Maundy Thursday Service at 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, March 23: Singing during the 10:15 a.m. Worship Service
Sunday, April 6: Singing during the 10:15 a.m. Worship Service, which will be designed by the confirmands, including choristers Krystal Dover and Raven Walker
Thursday, June 5: Final chorister dinner followed by a talent show. We are asking parents to cook for this meal and would like a volunteer to coordinate this.

Beautiful new Faces!

2008-03-18T17:33:00.001-04:00

Choir Festival Slated for October 24-25

2008-03-11T17:56:00.003-04:00

Plans for our 2008 choir festival are underway. The dates are Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25. Richard Webster will return as director, and Matthew Brown will return as organist. Click here to read about last year's festival. Check out our podcast in the sidebar on the right to sample some of last year's music.

Choristers Sell Valentine's Day Roses

2008-02-10T17:41:00.000-05:00

The Chorister Academy sold roses and teddy bears with chocolate between worship services on February 10 to raise money to send some of its singers to choir camp at St. Thomas Church in New York City this year.

Rosebud Sale and Other Chorister Events

2008-01-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

Rosebud Sale: The Choristers will sell Valentine's rosebuds between the first and second and second and third worship services on Sunday, February 10.
Evensong for Lent: February 28 at the end of rehearsal. Friends and family are welcome.
Maundy Thursday: March 20, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Pick-up time will be 8:45 p.m.
Evensong for Easter: April 10 at the end of rehearsal. Friends and family are welcome.
No Rehearsal: April 15 and 17.
RSCM 80th Anniversary at St. Thomas Church, New York City: Details to follow.
Last Choir Sunday: June 8. Awarding of cottas and ribbons.
Choir Pool Party: to be announced.

Christmas Eve: "Silent Night"

2007-12-25T12:16:00.000-05:00

Choristers Sing at the GWIM Christmas Party for Homeless Children

2007-12-20T21:22:00.001-05:00

Choristers Offer Advent, Christmas Eve, Songs

2007-11-28T12:24:00.000-05:00

The Chorister Academy will sing during the 10:15 a.m. worship service of Lessons and Carols on December 2. The group will also sing Evensong at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 6. The public is welcome to attend.

P.S. It's time for the Choristers to start practicing the signed version of "Silent Night." Click here for the practice video.

The choristers will sing at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service, as well.

Choristers Participate in St. John's Christmas Bazaar November 17

2007-11-17T15:20:00.001-05:00

Five Choirs Festival at St. John's Parish, October 19 and 20

2007-10-20T21:04:00.001-04:00

Here are images of the choristers of St. John's, Waterbury; St. Peter's, Cheshire; Trinity, Hartford; Trinity, Newtown; and St. Luke's, East Greenwich, Rhode Island. These young people participated in the Festival of Choirs at St. John's Church under the direction of the acclaimed Richard Webster. Matthew Brown was organist. Scroll down to "Listen" to hear the Evensong service of October 20. (Click on "Posts" to select the song you would like to hear.)

Choristers Participate in St. John's 275th Anniversary Celebration

2007-10-14T21:08:00.000-04:00

Choral Conductor Richard Webster Looks Forward to the Festival

2007-10-09T12:31:00.001-04:00

Composer and choral conductor Richard Webster, who will direct the Five Choirs Festival at St. John's next weekend, offers his thoughts on the value of teaching the choral art to young people:

Children's minds are like sponges. They soak up anything and everything offered them, and quickly. That's why they learn a foreign language much faster than adults. So rather than fill their minds with drivel, why not offer then only the finest in music, art or literature. Given the proper tools, skills and encouragement, children can learn to sing Bach, Byrd, Howells and Mozart, and LOVE it. In doing so, we are not looking to create young snobs. By simply exposing them to beauty at a level appropriate to their development, we allow the hearts and souls to be moved by this beauty. One need only visit a rehearsal room when the director says, "Now let's take out the Bach and work on all those sixteenth notes and German words," and the resounding unison response from the kids is "Yesssss!"

Please Join us for the Five Choirs Festival

2007-09-22T18:55:00.001-04:00

Read all about it here.

Singers Develop Their Voices and Their Confidence at Chorister Camp

2007-09-08T09:43:00.000-04:00

The three of the choristers from St. John's who attended a week-long program of music and fellowship during a choristers camp at St. Thomas Church in New York City in July say the program helped them to strengthen and develop their singing voices while making new friends and enjoying the company of old ones. The girls returned with greater confidence in their abilities and enthusiasm for the chorister program.

Ofelia, the lead chorister at St. John's, says the program taught her to hit the High B as well as other previously out-of-reach notes. She and Diana said the exercises for "jiggling your muscles" to strengthen them helped them develop their voices.

Susy says that through the course she learned how to support her voice: "I learned how to hold it longer so my throat doesn't give out before I'm done."

The 44 girls from around the country who attended practiced singing for 1 1/2 hours three times a day.

All three girls enjoyed seeing New York City, including a performance of Mama Mia and walks in Central Park. The girls said that back in their dorms they found themselves singing as a group for the fun of it as well as just plain having fun with their peers.

You're Invited to the Five Choirs Festival at St. John's

2007-08-19T12:46:00.000-04:00

The Five Choirs Festival at St. John's Parish on the Green in Waterbury, Connecticut, on October 19 and 20 will bring together 80 choristers from five Episcopal churches in Connecticut and Rhode Island to sing under the direction of the acclaimed Richard Webster.

"St. John's initiated this project because we want our choristers to sing these services," says Maria Coffin, who established and directs the Chorister Academy at St. John's.

"The most beautiful thing in the world is the sound of young voices singing this music," Ms. Coffin adds. "What better place than this beautiful church?"

Choristers from St. Luke's, East Greenwich, Rhode Island; St. Peter's, Cheshire; Trinity, Hartford; and Trinity, Newtown, will join the St. John's group.

Mr. Webster, Associate Director of Music at Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston, is a choral director, organist, arranger and composer.

Matthew Brown, formerly an intern in church music at Grace Church in New York City, will be the organist during this festival.

All the choristers will sing Evensong at St. John's at 4 p.m. on October 20. The public is invited to attend this service.

Ms. Coffin hopes people in the community--parents, neighbors, music teachers--will attend this event and enjoy the talents of these children. "This will be a great opportunity for people in Waterbury to hear children sing beautiful music, and these children can do some very difficult things."

For more information, contact St. John's Church at 203-754-3116. Click here for an event flyer.

Chorister Calendar is Up-to-Date

2007-08-16T22:45:00.000-04:00

Please click on the calendar in the navigation toolbar on the right to open up the Chorister Academy's fall calendar. The rehearsal, singing, and event calendar are current as of August 16.

Choristers Need Your Help for the Festival of Choirs

2007-06-29T15:45:00.000-04:00

The Festival of Choirs at St. John's Church October 19 and 20 will present 80 choristers from Connecticut and Rhode Island to meet and mingle with peers from other churches and to sing under the direction of the acclaimed Richard Webster before they sing Evensong at St. John's at 4 p.m. on October 20. Matthew Brown, formerly an intern in church music at Grace Church in New York City, will be the organist during this festival.

This event will need church wide support. Chorister Academy director Maria Coffin needs your help in the following ways: *food for Saturday snack break,
*food for Saturday lunch,
*home stays for about 25 children, and
*help coordinating rooms for our visitors to St. John's.

Please contact Maria at St. John's 203-754-3116 if you can help. Click here to download a flyer to print and display.

Choristers' Pool Party--Thank You, Alice!

2007-06-21T16:16:00.000-04:00

Practice and Performance at Grace Church, New York, City, June 17, 2007

2007-06-18T16:00:00.000-04:00

Choristers at Grace Church, New York City, June 17

2007-06-18T15:36:00.000-04:00

Three Choristers will Participate in the Saint Thomas Girl Chorister Course in New York City This Summer

2007-06-07T09:32:00.000-04:00

Three members of the Chorister Academy of St. John's Episcopal Church in Waterbury, Connecticut, will participate in the third annual Saint Thomas Girl Chorister Course in New York City from July 29 to August 5. This year’s Director of Music is Sarah MacDonald, Director of Music in Chapel, Selwyn College, Cambridge. She will conduct all rehearsals working toward a Treble-only Evensong on Thursday and the Sunday morning Eucharist which is sung with the gentlemen of the Choir of Men and Boys of Saint Thomas Church. Left to right: Diana Hernandez of Waterbury, Ofelia Torres of Waterbury, and Susy Cromwell of Southbury.

Choristers Sell Roses

2007-05-13T18:47:00.000-04:00

Festival of Choirs

2007-05-10T21:41:00.001-04:00

FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS

October 19 and 20, 2007
St. John's Church, Waterbury, Connecticut

St. John's, Waterbury, Connecticut
St. Luke's, East Greenwich, Rhode Island
St. Peter's, Cheshire, Connecticut
Trinity, Hartford, Connecticut
Trinity, Newtown, Connecticut

a two-day festival for 80 young singers
from five churches and towns

Richard Webster, Director
Matthew Brown, Organist

Maria Coffin, Coordinator

concluding with a service of
EVENSONG
the ancient Anglican service of sung evening prayers
Saturday, October 20, 4 p.m.
All are welcome.

Click here to print a flyer.

203-754-3116

Evensong at St. Mark's, Bridgewater, Connecticut, on May 6, 2007

2007-05-06T22:55:00.000-04:00

The Chorister Academy of St. John's Episcopal Church, Waterbury Connecticut, sang during the Evensong service at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Bridgewater, Connecticut, on Sunday, May 6, 2007, at 4 p.m.

St. Mark's will donate the offering from that service to The Dominican Literacy Project, which was established to help Haitian children living in the Dominican Republic to help pay expenses such as building maintenance and midday meals for 120 children trying to receive an education. Haitian children in the Dominican Republic are denied status, birth certificates, and public education, according to St. Mark's.

Evensong, one of the oldest services in the Anglican tradition, dates back to the original Book of Common Prayer of 1549, and combines the monastic offices of Vespers and Compline. It is drawn almost entirely from the Bible and includes Psalms, Hymns, Anthems, and the Magnificat and Nuc dimittis. The service is a sacred method of singing praise to God, according to St. Mark's.

"O Domine, Jesu Christe"

2007-04-02T18:31:00.000-04:00

Choristers Look Forward to a Busy Spring

2007-04-02T18:20:00.000-04:00

Chorister Academy Director Maria Coffin has many plans in the works for the spring. The choristers will be conducting fundraisers, preparing for concerts at St. John's and elsewhere, and rehearsing every week until the end of the school year. Chorister parents, keep an eye out for the details here and in Maria's newsletter.

(Here are the Choristers on Palm Sunday, 2007.)

Dorothy Ferguson Helps the New Kids Learn to Read Music

2007-03-08T16:10:00.000-05:00

Choristers Valentine's Day Party

2007-02-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

Working Hard

2007-02-03T11:56:00.000-05:00

February 1 Rehearsal

2007-02-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

Evensong with Trinity Church, Newtown, Sunday, March 18

2007-01-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

The Choristers will participate in the Evensong service with Trinity Church, Newtown, on Sunday, March 18, at 4 p.m. Rehearsal will be on Saturday, March 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will be a reception after the service, and help will be needed with food and drink donations, set up, serving, and clean up.

Valentine's Day Bake Sale

2007-01-26T21:01:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, February 11, between the 10:15 a.m. and noon services, the Choristers will hold a bake sale to raise money to send three choristers to the St. thomas Girls' Course in New York next summer. Start baking!

We'll need parents to help set up, sell, and keep track of the money. Please speak to Mrs. Coffin.

Sing unto God

2007-01-26T07:04:00.000-05:00

Sing unto God with songs of praise.
We are the Choristers,
The rooftops of churches we raise.

Beautiful high notes that flutter around,
sometimes notes that haven't even been found,
Songs in Spanish, Hebrew, French
For the tunes and notes that we mush clench
To impress the audience
That we've come to admire
For the wondrous sounds of this lovely choir.
a
Sing unto God with songs of praise
We are the Choristers,
The rooftops of churches we raise.

(By Joshua Singleton, Age 10)

Handiwork of In the Making Graces the Children of St. John's Chorister Academy

2007-01-25T07:08:00.001-05:00

(WATERBURY, CONN. - January 25, 2006) - In the Making employee Antonia Cotto of Waterbury created the red stoles worn by Krystal Dover (left) and Ofelia Torres (right) and the other children of the Chorister Academy of St. John's Parish on the Green, Waterbury, when they sang during the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve family worship service.

The children also wore them when they sang during a recent performance of The Nutcracker at The Taft School in Watertown.

The Chorister Academy was established three years ago to give young people in the Greater Waterbury Area, regardless of background, the opportunity to sing in a choir that is faithful to the highest standards of the choral art. The choir is open to all young people, 3rd grade through high school. In addition to vocal instruction, lessons will be offered in music theory, music history, and Christian liturgical practice.

"Using donated fabric, Antonia created 32 stoles for the children and one for chorister director Maria Coffin," according to Sr. Rosemary McKenna, D.W. of In the Making. The project took about 17 hours of labor.

A nonprofit organization in Waterbury, In the Making exists to offer personal/economic development to under-employed and unemployed women. Employees work in ways that complement and strengthen one another in the workplace and in the community. "Our efforts are in who a person is as an individual, in a group, and in the community," said Sr. Rosemary, adding, "We don't just make things but we build on the positive aspects of each person and of people."

Silent Night

2006-12-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve II

2006-12-24T17:12:00.000-05:00

Christmas Party

2006-12-21T21:30:00.000-05:00

Learning New Music

2006-12-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

Welcome!

2006-12-14T05:35:00.000-05:00

Please add your email address in the Blogarithm box in the sidbar to the right if you would like to receive automatic email notices of updates to this blog.

Visit the Choristers Fun page to view some photos of the singers hard at work preparing for Christmas!

If you want to share any of these posts with friends and family, simply click on the envelope icon at the bottom of the post to email the link. Thanks for visiting!

Signing "Silent Night"

2006-12-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

Mary Chamiec-Case teaches the St. John's Parish Choristers how to sign "Silent Night." This clip shows two runs through this carol. Mary's beautiful signing opens new levels of meaning in this familiar carol. Enjoy!

Rehearsing for Christmas Eve Worship

2006-12-12T22:34:00.000-05:00

Holiday Fair Concert, 2006, at St. John's

2006-11-18T20:19:00.000-05:00

Choristers, Russians Wow Crowd

2006-09-11T07:24:00.000-04:00

The St. John's Choristers and the Russian a cappella group LYRA played to a very appreciative audience during their Sept. 10 fundraiser.