When we sing to God in Heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony,
We are pilgrims on a journey,
Fellow travelers on the road,
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
This text is from a new anthem the choristers learned this season and offered on the January concert with Barry Rose. Help and support one another all have….and what an Extraordinary Year it has been, with so much growth and fun in community and musical offerings.
The Choirs would like to thank everyone who have been supportive by their presence, kind words, love, prayers and resources. We are thankful for you and wish all of God’s blessings on you for a safe and beautiful summer season. We can’t wait to be back in the saddle for the 118th Season on September 9th at 11:00 a.m.
We thank our Choir Steering Committee, a group of amazing parents who oversee chorister life and organize the special projects of the Choirs. Some of our activities this year were Vestment Care, Choir Parent Helper Program, Recruiting, Picnics and Cookouts, Grace Church School Weekend, Thanksgiving Pie Sale, the beautiful Easter Morning Breakfast, Annual Concert Reception, and the fun and exciting Choir Raffle.
Thank you so much: Vidgis Boulton Burke
Brad and Mary Burnham; Abby Carr; Sarah Cogan; Gary Fagin; Dana and Sherman Foote; Jan Ford; Laura Holt; Vicky Hurley; Laurel Lesio; Sarah McCain; Llewellyn Sinkler; Caroline Toms and The Revered J. Donald Waring our fabulous Rector.
Thank you to Laura Holt for her amazing organization of the Choir Parent Helper and Choir Parent Buddy Programs this season!
Thank you to Vicky Hurley for her amazing passion and organization of so many special choir activities and for her brilliant record keeping and graphic skills.
Thank you to George Davison, Headmaster of Grace Church School and to the entire Staff and Faculty for all their love, support and hard work.
Thank you Members of the Choir Tour planning committee and our Tour Chaperons for all the preparations you have work so hard to bring about for the upcoming tour to Prague, Vienna and Salzburg.
We want to thank Vincent Dixon with his studio and team for the gift of his beautiful photography and care and Elana Foundos with her partner at FP Design NY Robin Presslaff for all their brilliant and artful help and inspiration with graphics and the posters and postcards they designed for us this season.
We want to thank Margaret Lee for her inspired and tireless page turning at the organ console.
Thank you Parish Choir for your dedicated and joy filled offerings at the 9:00 Service on Sundays. It was fun beginning collaborative projects with you and the other choirs and we look forward to a fun new season in September.
The Parish Choir 2011-2012
Thank you Adult Choir for your beautiful offerings all year and your support of the Chorister Program.
Oliva Nunez of the GO Project who supported the birth of our new GO Junior Choristers program.
Six O’clock colleagues, David LeSueur and Jim Ferraiuolo
Thank you Stephen Tharp our brilliant Artist in Residence for supporting the worship life of the Parish in all that you do.
Special Chorister Recognitions
This a remarkable group of choristers had perfect attendance for the entire year.
Phil Holt; Ian Rotheroe; Bennett Slibeck; Mahlon Sorensen; James Waring; Luke Waring; Taylor Cave; Imogene Dunn; Nell Hurley; Micaela Macagnone; Katherine Overmyer; Charlotte Phillips; Cadence Plenge; Eden Sherrod; Emma Slibeck; Katherine Sorensen; Catherine Cheung
We recognize four junior choristers who have shown outstanding growth during this choir season, both musically and in their leadership skills. They receive this year’s most improved chorister award.
Imogene Dunn; Ian Rotheroe; Catherine Cheung and Zo Williams
We continue three awards named for former Organists of Grace Church. Combined they served the Parish for ninty-eight years – laying the foundations for the choral tradition we now care for and enjoy.
The James Helfenstein Award is named for the First Headmaster and Choirmaster of the Choir of Men and Boys for whose education Grace Church School was founded. It is given to a chorister in thanksgiving for the example offered in service of God and community. These are best summed up in the words of Saint Paul – “I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also.”
This year it goes to: Bennett Slibeck
The Ernest Mitchell award for Musical Leadership is named for Mr. Helfenstein’s successor. It was under Mr. Mitchell the choir achieved legendary excellence. It was under Mr. Mitchell that his successor, Frank Smith sang as a boy. Besides his musical excellence and that of his choir, Mr. Mitchell is frequently thought of for his down to earth nature and humility. This award is given to a chorister in thanksgiving for gifts humbly offered which lead to the continued musical growth and health of the choirs of this church.
This year it goes to: Micaela Macagnone
Frank Cedric Smith Choirmaster succeeded Mr. Mitchell and served Grace Church from 1960-1992. Mr. Smith is remembered by all his choristers for the twinkle in his eye, the warmth of his spirit and his love of Bach and Britten.
This award recognizes that chorister who demonstrates a deep passion for music and bring an exuberant joy to the life of the choirs.
The recipient is: Camille Ollivierre
We recognize a vibrant class of choristers completing their Eighth grade year and who graduate from the Choir program. We wish all God’s blessing on them and with pride say well done.
Matthew Chanler Burnham; Nicholas Bradford Burnham; Naman Vijay Chhatpar; Benjamin Edward Eisenstadt; Philetus Havens Holt, V; Caitlin Farley McSween; Micaela Macagnone; Michael D. Montes de Oca; Camille Asia Ollivierre; Charlotte Feeney Phillips; Samantha Menlo Scali; Isabel Chanler Shamamian; Allison Megan Delgado-Whitehurst
8th grade graduates at the church picnic 10 June
For Education
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Musicians
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven, be ever present with your servants who seek through music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I will sing with the spirit and with the understanding also.
Soli Deo Gloria