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

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

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'

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.

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

Choristers Arrive at Trinity Church, Hartford, for Festival

Choristers to Participate in Hartford Choir Festival

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

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

Two Friends Concert to Support Chorister Academy

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

Evensong for Epiphany

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

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

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

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

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

Choristers Sing on Christmas Eve

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

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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

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

Voice Coach Marissa Famiglietti Works with Choristers

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.