Choristers Choir

St. Luke's Choristers Choir seeks to offer a sound musical education to boys and girls from the Granville community. The choir is open to boys and girls in grades 2 through 12. The choir is committed to musical excellence, self-discipline, and social development. The choir is best thought of as a continuation of the musical education received in school, and will seek build upon this foundation through singing challenging music.

For centuries, children have sun in church, especially in England. The boy sopranos provide the "top line" or "treble" of the choir, while the lower parts (alto, tenor and bass) were sung by grown men from the church. The Choristers Choir seeks to follow in this tradition in a modern way — both girls and boys sing together.

As the choir develops, we will use the Royal School of Church Music's curriculum, Voice for Life. This graded program will educate children in all aspects of church music, from the Christian year to finer points of music theory and repertoire, allowing them to move at their own pace. As choristers advance through program, they earn rewards and progress into the next skill level. The choristers will sing music of the great composers of sacred music, such Palestrina, Bach, Brahms, and Howells.

Prior musical experience or church affiliation is not required for admission to the choir. The only musical requirement is that the singer must be able to match pitch. Auditions will be held several times a year. Each child, along with a parent, will meet with the director for a brief interview. As part of the interview, the child will take a short musical aptitude and "ear test" to determine if the child can match pitch. However, the most important requirement for admittance to the choir is a commitment of time — meaning faithful attendance at services and rehearsals.

Starting Fall 2007, the choristers will sing every week at the 9:15 a.m. service and rehearse twice weekly. Choristers may miss four rehearsals, and two Sundays each term (September-December, and January-May). There are certain Sundays that we want everyone here, and the choristers are required to be present on those days that are designated on the schedule as such. A full-year schedule is published in August.

Please contact Scott Hayes, organist-choirmaster for more information or to set up an audition for your child.

A typical weekly schedule

Rehearsal: Wednesday, 4 – 6 p.m.
Rehearsal: Sunday, 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Service: Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
Rehearsal: Sunday, 2 – 4 p.m.

Click here for the Choir Calendar

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