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Ho Ho Ho,
I hope all your halls are decked, the torches lit and that you are in the midst of a Holy and Light filled Advent and Hanukkah

THIS SUNDAY/Weekend
• Saturday Afternoon, 1:00 – 3:00
Dress Rehearsal for the Britten A CEREMONY OF CAROLS in the Church
All Senior Girls’ Choristers REQUIRED. Enter through the main church doors on Broadway.

• Sunday 9 December
• Morning: The Choir of Men and Boys singing
SENIORS REQUIRED, Novice and Juniors Optional
9:45 a.m. Call, 11:00 a.m. Service, no lunch or afternoon
rehearsal.

• Afternoon: The Girls’ Choir singing, 4:00 Service
• Senior Chorister Warm up at 2:15 p.m. in the Church.
• All Novice and Junior Girls Required to attend the service, sit with you parents and enjoy, you will sing this one day! Just show up for the 4:00 service. It will last under one hour.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING our Christmas Party Planning Committee. The Party was so beautiful, the Raffle amazing with so many new and exciting prizes. Thank you everyone who gave of time, talent and resources to create the beautiful evening we all enjoyed.
Terri Chase
Henrietta Pertuz
Shingmin Lai
Meaghan Cheung
James Gomez
Mary Cannon

Thank you to everyone who supported the Community Carol Sing.
There were many happy faces full of pizza and ice cream and the carols were beautiful.
Meaghan Cheung
Yunjae Chung
Adrienne Goldthorpe
Shingmin Lai
Barbara Sibley
Xanthe Tabor

A CHOIR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT! It’s coming, thank you everyone who has shown interest in beginning this new endeavor. You most likely know more about this than I as I’ve never done it, but I think the big focus is on photographs. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP if you have any concern about or wish any photos of your child(ren) not to be used on this site. We want to respect each families wishes as we move towards this mode of communication and expression. Silence is approval.

HOMEWORK FOR ALL CHORISTERS: Have a listen to yourselves in 2014! We will be bringing these pieces back into the repertoire with Dr. Rose for the February Concert! (recorded at 7:00 in the morning after Easter! How many chances do we get? 1 take! 2 ipads! and a lot of hard work. I am so proud of you all!

MORE HOMEWORK FOR CHORSITERS – Listen to the Berntsein – It’s great NYC music and we will be offering it on the big April 26 Concert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2g6eu6tJQU

A FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY! Thank you Cara Wall. Cara has offered the Choir Community a new long term fundraising opportunity through her store Clementine Consignment. A letter from her is attached with the details of how it works. She will have a fill in the blank tax donation letter for you to receive and fill in the amount you think the clothes are worth for your tax purposes. You receive the letter when you drop off the donations at the store. Again Thank you Cara for suggesting this great opportunity for the choir community. The choir will receive money from the store based on a percentage of what the clothes sell for. These monies will go into the Choir Special Projects Fund.

WHAT IS THE CHOIR SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND? This fund was established when the choir began preparing for it’s first international trip – to Bristol England as choir in residence for the Cathedral of Bristol during one week of the summer of 2004. The monies in the fund help cover the costs of tours, recordings and many other opportunities for the choristers beyond what the regular church operating budget can provide. It impacts the life of every choir family over the time that your family participates in the program and provides seed monies for future projects.

Please check the attached “newsletter” for other details and links.

All my love, Patrick

A Choir Family Newsletter!
Friday 7 December 2018

Wishes for a Holy and Light filled Advent and Happy Chanukah

THIS SUNDAY/Weekend
• Saturday Afternoon, 1:00 – 3:00
Dress Rehearsal for the Britten A CEREMONY OF CAROLS in the Church
All Senior Girls’ Choristers REQUIRED. Enter through the main church doors on Broadway.

• Sunday 9 December
• Morning: The Choir of Men and Boys singing
SENIORS REQUIRED, Novice and Juniors Optional
9:45 a.m. Call, 11:00 a.m. Service, no lunch or afternoon
rehearsal.

• Afternoon: The Girls’ Choir singing, 4:00 Service
• Senior Chorister Warm up at 2:15 p.m. in the Church.
• All Novice and Junior Girls Required to attend the service, sit with you parents and enjoy, you will sing this one day! Just show up for the 4:00 service. It will last under one hour.

Mother Julia’s Corner:

The Grace Church Youth Group is constructing blank gingerbread houses on Saturday Dec 8 at 3pm in the Reception Room, and all teenagers are invited to help out with this service project! You can also sign up to purchase a house to decorate with younger kids on Sunday Dec 9 after the 11am service here. All are welcome to this fun holiday tradition where we raise money for Habitat for Humanity! Blessings, Mother Julia

FACE BOOK: Did you know there is a Music at Grace Church Facebook page?
There is. We use it to get the word out about all the musical offerings that take place at the Church especially those of the choirs!
HELP US build the community of followers and listeners to the choirs – FRIEND THE Music at Grace Church page and let the word spread 

RECRUITING is never over!
We have an amazing group of novice choristers for the fall term but…
If anyone asks, it is never too late to join the choir and they should reach out to me at: gracechoir1894@gmail.com

For entering 4th and 5th graders it is also not too late to join as new choristers, we have had good luck at getting them up to speed quickly as your children are the best teachers. What schedule a 4th or 5th grader might follow would depend on the child and their family.

Note about third grade juniors: the third grade juniors will only attend the Tuesday rehearsal session from 5:00 – 6:30. Older juniors still also attend for boys, Thursday morning or girls, Friday morning practice.

This year we will have the second season for 2nd grade novices! Last year was a great success and these now third graders fast tracked themselves to junior level ahead of what I thought would happen. I am so proud of them.

HOMEWORK FOR SENIOR CHORISTERS:

Please locate a recording with your parents approval and listen to:
1. BOYS: Rejoice in the Lamb, B. Britten
2. GIRLS: A CEREMONY OF CAROLS, B. Britten
3. BOTH: J.S. Bach Motet: “Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf” BWV 226
4. BOTH: Bernstein Chichester Psalms (I love the recording by the Wells Cathedral Choir)

WEBSITE: www.gracechurchnyc.org
CLICK: MUSIC
CLICK: login
User Name: helfenstein
Password: Stanfordlives1894

CHOIR SCHEDULES 2018 – 2019: REMEMBER Kathy’s Link to our Goggle Doc Schedules, they are ready to go for 2018-2019:
http://www.gchoirsched.info/schedules.html

THIS WEEKS SCHEDULE:

• 7 December to December 17

THIS SUNDAY/Weekend
• Saturday Afternoon, 1:00 – 3:00
Dress Rehearsal for the Britten A CEREMONY OF CAROLS in the Church
All Senior Girls’ Choristers REQUIRED. Enter through the main church doors on Broadway.

• Sunday 9 December
• Morning: The Choir of Men and Boys singing
SENIORS REQUIRED, Novice and Juniors Optional
9:45 a.m. Call, 11:00 a.m. Service, no lunch or afternoon
rehearsal.

• Afternoon: The Girls’ Choir singing, 4:00 Service
• Senior Chorister Warm up at 2:15 p.m. in the Church.
• All Novice and Junior Girls Required to attend the service, sit with you parents and enjoy, you will sing this one day! Just show up for the 4:00 service. It will last under one hour.

• Tuesday Morning – 7:00 – 8:10 a.m. Senior Boy/Girl Rehearsal.
Breakfast Club in the Reception room

• Wednesday Morning – 7:00 – 8:10 a.m. Senior Girl/Boy Rehearsal.
Breakfast Club in the Reception room

• Thursday Morning – 7:00 – 8:10 a.m. Senior Boy/Girl Rehearsal.
Breakfast Club in the Reception room

• Friday Morning – 7:00 – 8:10 a.m. Senior Girl/Boy Rehearsal.
Breakfast Club in the Reception room

• Sunday 16 December
• Morning: The Girls’ Choir with HS Singers and Adults.
• SENIORS REQUIRED, Novice and Juniors Optional
• 9:45 a.m. Call, 11:00 a.m. Service, no lunch or afternoon rehearsal.

SPECIAL LISTENING PROJECT:
Please find a time to watch and listen to these YouTube excerpts. They are from some of our fellow choirs around the world and are lovely and fun. They can help give us all a better idea of our tradition and celebrate the 1000 year old heritage that we participate in. I was in Wells this week and really, the church and choral tradition is just shy of it’s 1000th birthday! This year is the 120th birthday for our choir foundation.

King’s College Cambridge

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=kings+college+all+bells&vid=902f93ee8b3b28415cae01da013ce611&l=4%3A45&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608020223790746048%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DP8TyKNycHes&tit=John+Rutter%3A+All+Bells+In+Paradise+-+Official+Video&c=1&sigr=11aoutisl&sigt=11jh9sqci&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=king%27s+college+choir&vid=110003f8b24834b111ae4be397650d76&l=5%3A08&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608026301171238103%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dq5n6X9sUznI&tit=O+Holy+Night+%3A+Kings+College%2C+Cambridge&c=2&sigr=11arr3iog&sigt=117mk8a8i&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

Wells Cathedral Choir

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=wells+cathedral+malcolm+archer&vid=c373efcfd3df46151072adc636c2fe0c&l=5%3A21&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608030682034081441%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dyrs5XR9Pd7k&tit=God+is+Gone+Up+%28Finzi%29+—+Choir+of+Wells+Cathedral&c=3&sigr=11ac3plli&sigt=11jlvlhgk&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=wells+cathedral+malcolm+archer&vid=415d1018bf24c3aee0db1ac9e836f0b9&l=4%3A41&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608049227703257238%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXac1w1OdELI&tit=The+Twelve+Days+of+Christmas+—+Choir+of+Wells+Cathedral&c=10&sigr=11aigreat&sigt=11pa650ni&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Aj1K1PW2VDs1RKVFJfzbu2uevZx4?p=you+tube+wells+cathedral+choir&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-901&fp=1

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=youtube+wells+cathedral+have+yourself+choir&vid=853d06e7cf55b5383b84e5d4a1556ae3&l=3%3A22&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608034453018248291%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAf8nD6KGGec&tit=Have+Yourself+a+Merry+Little+Christmas+—+Wells+Cathedral+Choir&c=0&sigr=11au0j7su&sigt=1207t1bd2&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

St. John’s College Cambridge, A Guest in Cambridge

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=st+john%27s+college+cambridge&vid=9425021b6896bda9a630f27d01e90a6d&l=6%3A52&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608042969937282548%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPSYK5JHgRnA&tit=Haydn-+Insanae+Et+Vanae+Curae+%28St.+John%26%2339%3Bs+College+Choir.%29&c=25&sigr=11apkam02&sigt=11tjuig47&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=st+john%27s+college+cambridge&vid=7264786b7c16e797614ba97ea5fc7ef7&l=14%3A59&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.607990240621363343%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8udJ5MjjLcY&tit=St+John%26%2339%3Bs+College+Choir+Cambridge+1978+under+George+Guest+1&c=21&sigr=11aunqee0&sigt=11vism07r&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

Salisbury Cathedral

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=salisbury+cathedral+choir&vid=0a5806f316d0f326ea4cef4513e591f4&l=4%3A12&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608027666970052142%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DzfAO9iCzZJ0&tit=The+Choristers+of+Salisbury+Cathedral+Part1&c=1&sigr=11avnbi5n&sigt=11b62d3g4&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=the+choristers+of+salisbury+cathedral+part+2&vid=64773de37238958c6b12328935c8a115&l=6%3A47&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.607986108865709804%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DE2RY22cAIO4&tit=The+Choristers+of+Salisbury+Cathedral+Part2&c=0&sigr=11a94tmkv&sigt=11bm9mqbj&ct=p&age=0&fr=yfp-t-901&tt=b

FIN – THE END
Please forgive the length of this newsletter. You all have lots of wonderful questions and this is my attempt to get us organized and put as much information as you have asked about in one place.

Have a wonderful safe remainder of the summer! The rain has stopped, the Swan has moved on to another boat and it’s time to head to the market for the shopping.

With all my love and anticipation of a great new season, Patrick

ONGOING INFORMATION SOURCES:

*Like us on FACEBOOK! Music at Grace Church in New York

*The Goggle Choir Schedule Calendar Link: http://gchoirsched.info/

*Sign Up Genius for Choir Parent Volunteer Sign Link:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30E084CADAF2BA1FA7-choir

*Sign Up Genius for After School Vocal Coaching: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4ba4a628abf94-after

*Sign Up Genius Tuesday Night Parent Helpers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a48a9ad2caaf85-juniors

*Accessing the Secure Choir Family Area of the Music Website:
www.gracechurchnyc.org
CLICK: MUSIC
CLICK: login
User Name: helfenstein
Password: Stanfordlives1894

*REMEMBER: If your contact information changes or you notice a typo in a communication don’t hesitate to let PA (P. Allen, not the Parents Association) know. “If you see something, say something”

*REMEMBER…please keep an eye out around the house and make sure you cash all choir checks you have received. When the books are closed at the audit for each operating budget year checks can no longer be redeemed or replaced.