CHORISTER RECOGNITION 12 JUNE 2022
WHEN in our music God is glorified,
And adoration leaves no room for pride,
It is as though the whole creation cried
Alleluia! F. Pratt Green
This year the choirs celebrate our 127th season of musical offerings.
It has been an inspiring year of fellowship, music making and problem solving.
I am grateful to everyone for the spirit of love and care that has held us together.
It has been a season of transition out of lockdown and slowly re-imagining choir life, sound and community. Through it all the light shined, love flowed and the music has bloomed.
Thank you Music and Choir Steering Committees…….
Please join me in thanking these dedicated people who oversee all the musical offerings, fabric and every aspect of musical and chorister life for our community.
They continue to bring us to higher levels of care in overseeing our protocols to stay safe and well so rehearsals and services continued to grow and open up as best practice could and can allow. After Christmas a great task of turning the upcoming choir tour from one location to a new one and all the details that come from that were taken on, problems solved and a very exciting tour planned that we will undertake at the end of the week.
A big hug, love and thank you to……
Second through Eighth Grade representatives
Mary Cannon *
Kyung Choi
Shari Coats
Tunde Csonka
Rebecca Dixon
James Gomez
Karen Gorman
Leah Johnson
Veronica Maginnis
Marlaine Olinick
Dominique Schulte
Jenny West
Alumni and High School representatives
Meaghan Cheung
Sarah E Cogan *
Dana Foote
Vicky Hurley
Kathy Keane
Shingmin Lai
Julie McAskin
Kevin P McCoy
Ellen McElduff *
Erik Sorensen *
Anne Zaccaro
*Music Committee
I’d like to recognize the following people for gifts humbly and beautifully offered.
Please hold your show of gratitude until I finish acknowledging them.
Mary Cannon, Tunde Csonka, and Veronica Maginnis for leading and organizing us in so many beautiful ways, especially in chairing the tour to Ireland we will experience this week.
James Gomez for Excel Excellence, Cheerleading and managing our Choir Parent Helper Programs.
Elana Foundos and Vincent D’Onofrio with at ARTeffect for all your help and inspiration with graphics and visuals.
Jim and Anne Wroten for your amazing work caring for the website and developing the live streaming outreach.
Kathy Keane for her continued sharing of gifts on so many levels and caring for the Platform that supports the on line choir schedules.
Would the following two persons come forward so we may thank you.
Erin Hussein for all her amazing support and hard work through the tenures of both her children in the choir – Lila and Kadin Hussein.
Dana Foote for coming forth to lead the re-establishment of the Choir Easter Day Breakfast and the Reception after the Spring Choir Concert. Both had gone dormant during pandemic lockdown.
Please join me in thanking our Adult Choir for all their musical leadership throughout the season.
Eileen Clark for her beautiful work administering the schedule and personnel of the Adult Choir.
Adult Singers for your beautiful offerings especially during these pandemic times.
Amy E. Bartram
Eileen D. Clark
Peter Gruett
Melissa Kelly
Bob Lukomski
Nathan Riehl
A.J. Stetson
Marsha Young
Amy Bartram would you come forward:
We recognize the spirit and beauty of the presence of Amy Bartram in the Adult Choir. For some 14 years she has shared her gifts with us all. Amy is leaving regular service to pursue other projects. She will be back for special offerings and on occasion.
God bless you Amy.
We recognize these novice choristers who showed outstanding growth during this choir season, both musically and in their leadership skills. They receive this year’s most improved chorister award.
Luca Schiff Claire Pederson
Luis Muniz Quinn Cryan
We recognize these 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.
Luka Viola Mila Coats
James Gomez Claire Min
We recognize these senior 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
Kadin Hussein Abby Gomez
We continue three awards named for former Organists of Grace Church. Combined they served the Parish for ninety-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:
Theo Cannon
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:
Eva Dixon
Frank Cedric Smith 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 year it goes to:
Tanner Gola
Ask the 8th grader to stand as his name is called to be recognized.
Kadin Hussein
Officiant: Let us pray.
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.
