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Greetings everyone and Happy Friday!

This morning the final early morning practice took place! Closing Exercises are imminent!

THIS SUNDAY: EVERYONE! It’s Choir Recognition Sunday!
9:45 All Senior Choristers Old and New
10:15 All Junior Choristers
11:00 Service
12:30 Cookout/Picnic and the Choir Raffle!

The week of June 12 our only activity is singing for the closing exercises of the Upper School.
10:00 warm up in the music room, 11:00 exercises.
All Senior Choristers old and new singing:
4th Grade Boys
5th Grade Boys and Girls and the current senior choristers – sixth through eighth grade.

SUMMER LISTENING HOMEWORK FOR CHORISTERS 🙂
1. For Novices:
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Bach
John Rutter: All Bells In Paradise – Official Video

John Rutter: All Bells In Paradise – Official Video
All Bells in Paradise is a new carol written by John Rutter for the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. It i…

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantana No. 147 Choir of King’s College, Cambridge Academy of St Martin…

2. FOR JUNIORS:
Nunc Dimittis (from “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”)

Nunc Dimittis (from “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”)
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises Nunc Dimittis (from “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”) · P…

“Four Renaissance Gems” (Palestrina, Taverner & Parsons) – Guildford Cathedral Choir (Barry Rose)
“Blowing in the Wind”: St Paul’s Cathedral Choir (Barry Rose) 1981

“Blowing in the Wind”: St Paul’s Cathedral Choir (Barry Rose)…

“Four Renaissance Gems” (Palestrina, Taverner & Parsons) – Guildford Ca…
Guildford Cathedral Choir, directed by Barry Rose: Various performances from concerts and broadcasts from 1970-7…

3. FOR SENIORS:
King’s College Choir – Rejoice in the Lamb (Britten) [Part 1]
King’s College Choir — Rejoice in the Lamb (Britten) [Part 2]
A Grateful Heart (“Thou that hast given so much to me”) – Poem by George Herbert

Mendelssohn: O for the Wings of a Dove

Mendelssohn: O for the Wings of a Dove
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises Mendelssohn: O for the Wings of a Dove · David Meredith · Felix M…

A Grateful Heart (“Thou that hast given so much to me”) – Poem by George He…
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises A Grateful Heart (“Thou that hast given so much to me”) – Poem by…

King’s College Choir — Rejoice in the Lamb (Britten) [Part 2]

King’s College Choir – Rejoice in the Lamb (Britten) [Part 1]
Part 2: http://youtu.be/HeJKCmqzI3w Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw5qoSoyAP4&list=PLnORw3dgzcuAB…

LOOKING TOWARDS 2016 – 2017:
Master Schedules and Choir Goggle Schedules will be completed soon and go online and be posted in the secure area of the website. See the attached flyer for special presentations and dates 2016-2017.

PLANNING AHEAD: IMPORTANT DATES FOR SEPTEMBER STARTUP 2016

September 6 (Tuesday) – Choir Camp Day for The Choir of Men and Boys and The Girls’ Choir, from 2:00 to 6:30 pm. (Enter at 802 Broadway) – FOR ALL CHORISTERS WHO ARE BACK IN TOWN AND CAN ATTEND.

* Parent Orientation Meetings from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (Reception Room)

September 8 (Thursday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior Boy Choristers 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.

September 9 (Friday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior Girl Choristers 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.

September 11 (Sunday) – Sunday Service with The Combined Grace Church Choirs, Beginning of 122nd Season of the Choirs, REQUIRED for All Boy and Girl Choristers. 9:45 a.m. Call for Seniors, 10:15 Call for Novices and Juniors.

September 13 (Tuesday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedules Begin. Senior Boys, 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.
No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 14 (Wednesday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedules Begin. Senior Girls, 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.
No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 15 (Thursday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior and Junior Boy Choristers
7:00 – 8:10 a.m. No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 16 (Friday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior and Junior Girl Choristers 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.
No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 20 (Tuesday) – Regular Afternoon Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Girl Novices 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

September 20 (Tuesday) – First Tuesday Rehearsal for Boy and Girl Junior Choristers 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. NO EVENSONG

September 21 (Wednesday) After School Vocal Coaching begins for 2015-2016. Sign up in advance for each session with PA. Music Office

September 22 (Thursday) After School Vocal Coaching begins for 2015-2016. Sign up in advance for each session with PA. Music Office

September 23 (Friday) – Regular Afternoon Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Boy Novices 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

September 23 (Friday) Choir Steering Committee Meeting 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. Reception Room.

October 4 (Tuesday) – First Tuesday Evensong for Boy and Girl Junior Choristers.

Spread the word: Recruiting never ends! It’s never to late to interview for choir!

Have a wonderful weekend, love, Patrick

CHOIR FAMILY NEWS 10 June May 2016

THE CHOIR RAFFLE:
Raffle tickets have been mailed to every chorister attention parents.
Please encourage your chorister to sell the tickets – family – friends and neighbors!

The Chorister who sells the most tickets will win a prize – one is given in each choir – one for boys and one for girls!

People who buy tickets do not need to be present at the raffle to win.

This is an important part of our fund raising efforts to support the Choir Special Projects Fund! It effects every family of the choir.

Thank you everyone who has donated prizes and contributed funds to help provide prizes!
They are amazing!
Olivia Douglas and David DiDomenico and Family
Shingmin Lai and Douglas Skrypek and Family
Melissa Davis and Richard Davis and Family
Vigdis and Gavin Burke and Family
Anne and John Zaccaro and Family
Ellen Beldy and Timothy Dempsey and Family
Yunjae Chung and Lee Godfrey and Family
Kelly and Jacob Root and Family
Jan and Tom Geniesse and Family
Anastasia and Kevin Rotheroe and Family
Melanie Weston and Michael Jakob and Family
Roslyn Archibald and Family
Catherine McCabe and Gary Spindler and Family
Mandy and Jason Hackett and Family
Sara Queen and Jason Slibeck and Family
Meaghan and Andrew Cheung and Family
Jennie and Andrew Dunn and Family
Agatha Sohn and William Crump and Family
Cassie and Paul Glover and Family
Adrienne and Ted Goldthorpe and Family
Kathy Keane and Duncan
Mary and Colbert Cannon and Family
Sorensen/Weir Family
Shari and Stephen Coats and Family
Sunshine and Stephen Gola and Family
Isca Greenfield-Sanders and Sebastian Blanck and Family
Dominique Schulte and Darren Seirer and Family
Teresa Louie and Family
And the list keeps growing!

Our amazing raffle chairs are:
Meaghan Cheung (meaghanscheung@gmail.com)
Jennie Dunn (bramcote7@aol.com)
Ask them how you can help!

WELCOME NEW SENIOR CHORISTERS – The following choristers have completed and passed with flying colors their auditions:

Girls
Taber Cannon, Julia Geniesse, Kiera Hackett, Lila Hussein, Eleanor Livings, Natasha Rensky, Esme Towles, Sarah Weber

Boys
Rafael Bruder , Bryan Cepeda, George Cheung, Oliver El Hadj, Alabama Embry, Reid Farrington, Xander Farrington, Ian Godfrey, Charlie Head, James Spindler

WELCOME NEW NOVICE CHORISTERS FOR 2016-2017!

Girls
Isabella Kim, Chloe Rensky, Arielle Sibley-Grice, Thea Sinclair

Boys
Julien Collet, Kadin Hussein, Phineas Sinclair, John Zaccaro

Recruiting continues 365 days a year! It’s never too late to join, we want everyone to enjoy the art of singing and learning together. It’s fun!
Please reach out to second grade families and let them know it’s never too late. Over the summer they can email me at pallen@gracechurchnyc.org or helfensteinch@yahoo.com.

PLANNING AHEAD:

Last Junior Girls Practice on Tuesday 24 May
Last Junior Boys/Girls Practice and Evensong on Tuesday 24 May
Last Wednesday Vocal Coaching 25 May
Last Thursday Vocal Coaching 26 May
Last Friday Junior Boys Practice 20 May (not a mistake, no Friday afternoon reh as
Memorial Day Weekend begins on the 27th )
Last Thursday morning rehearsal for Boys 9 June
Last Friday morning rehearsal for Girls 10 June

Parents of New Senior Choristers who attend GCS. If it can work with your family schedules, may your new senior chorister sing at the MS Closing Exercises? They are invited, but not required to do so. I just need to know so that I can prepare the seating chart. I think it is occurring on Wednesday 15 June at 11 a.m. I think 

*THIS WEEKS SCHEDULE:

Friday 10 June
7:00 a.m. Breakfast Club and Morning Rehearsal, Junior and Senior Girls FINAL

Sunday 12 June
The Choir of Men and Boys and Girls’ Choir Singing
9:45 Call for Senior Boys and Girls (REQUIRED)
10:15 Call for Junior Boys and Girls (REQUIRED)
11:00 Serivce
Followed by Cookout in Huntington Close and the CHOIR RAFFLE!

Wednesday 15 June
Closing of the Middle School
10:00 Warm up in the Music Room ALL SENIOR CHORISTERS
11:00 Closing Exercies!

LOOKING TOWARDS 2016 – 2017:
Master Schedules and Choir Goggle Schedules will be completed soon and go online and be posted in the secure area of the website. See the attached flyer for special presentations and dates 2016-2017.

PLANNING AHEAD: IMPORTANT DATES FOR SEPTEMBER STARTUP 2016

September 6 (Tuesday) – Choir Camp Day for The Choir of Men and Boys and The Girls’ Choir, from 2:00 to 6:30 pm. (Enter at 802 Broadway) – FOR ALL CHORISTERS WHO ARE BACK IN TOWN AND CAN ATTEND.

* Parent Orientation Meetings from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (Reception Room)

September 8 (Thursday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior Boy Choristers 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.

September 9 (Friday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior Girl Choristers 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.

September 11 (Sunday) – Sunday Service with The Combined Grace Church Choirs, Beginning of 122nd Season of the Choirs, REQUIRED for All Boy and Girl Choristers. 9:45 a.m. Call for Seniors, 10:15 Call for Novices and Juniors.

September 13 (Tuesday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedules Begin. Senior Boys, 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.
No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 14 (Wednesday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedules Begin. Senior Girls, 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.
No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 15 (Thursday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior and Junior Boy Choristers
7:00 – 8:10 a.m. No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 16 (Friday) – Regular Morning Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Senior and Junior Girl Choristers 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.
No afternoon chorister activities this week.

September 20 (Tuesday) – Regular Afternoon Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Girl Novices 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

September 20 (Tuesday) – First Tuesday Rehearsal for Boy and Girl Junior Choristers 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. NO EVENSONG

September 21 (Wednesday) After School Vocal Coaching begins for 2015-2016. Sign up in advance for each session with PA. Music Office

September 22 (Thursday) After School Vocal Coaching begins for 2015-2016. Sign up in advance for each session with PA. Music Office

September 23 (Friday) – Regular Afternoon Rehearsal Schedule Begins for Boy Novices 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

September 23 (Friday) Choir Steering Committee Meeting 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. Reception Room.

October 4 (Tuesday) – First Tuesday Evensong for Boy and Girl Junior Choristers.

OLD NEWS FOR REVIEW:

The Novice Class of 2015-2016 has been promoted, they are now called NEW JUNIORS.

The NEW JUNIOR SCHEDULE does not change at all. The time and day commitments remain the same to support all the complicated schedules that we all live through.

Around February 18, the 5th grade Juniors will get their invitation to audition for Senior Chorister. DON’T WORRY! They know the music already, it is not something they must be coached on or need special preparation for. The concert Sunday was the climax of that preparation. DON’T WORRY about rushing to schedule their appointment, we have all the way until Mother’s Day to do it.

The fifth graders becoming Senior Choristers for 2016-2017 will be promoted to Senior on Mother’s Day. Sometimes one or two are away visiting grandparents. They will be promoted in spirit.

Some notes about Holy Communion at Grace Church……

* All baptized Christians are invited, the Episcopal Church welcomes every tradition.
* No one is forced to have communion, that is a decision each family makes on their own.
* Please talk with your chorister about Holy Communion and what you would like them to do.
* If you do not want your child to take communion, just let them know this and ask them to cross their arms over their chest when they go to the communion rail.
The priest will smile and give them a blessing, but not give them communion.
We ask all the children to go to the communion rail for the traffic flow.
* The congregation at Grace respects all faith traditions or the decision not to practice a faith tradition and is thankful that you allow your child to be part of the choir.
Please feel no pressure, each person must make their own choices about their beliefs.
We just ask that the choristers respect where they are and what is going on, and that their “job” is leading/offering music in this house of prayer.
*Please ask questions, I love them and it helps me support you and your children.

REMEMBER……DROP OFF/PICK UP For All JUNIOR CHORISTERS for Tuesday and Friday Rehearsals is now THE HONOR ROOM – Enter from the School via the water fountain and stairs of the tower through the 8th grade dump :-).

IF YOU WENT ON THE FRANCE TOUR SUMMER 2015 – WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS!
Please collect your photo files and send them to Olivia Douglas! She has volunteered to collect our photos and edit them into a fun and special keep sake item for the community. Talk with her for more details!

YOUR CHOIR STEERING COMMITTEE is a great source for information and for continuing to grow and care for our choirs. Here is our great committee, feel invited to ask questions, talk about choir life and just enjoy their wonderful company! You may be a member some day!

Novice Reps:
Dominique Schulte, schulted@me.com
Mary Cannon, medcannon@nyc.rr.com

Junior Reps:
Katherine Keane, kathykeane@gmail.com
Shannon Cave, shannon.cave@gmail.com
Meaghan Cheung,meaghanscheung@gmail.com
Jason Hackett, kieran.jason.hackett@gmail.com
Olivia Douglas, oliviadouglas@me.com

Senior Reps:
Erik Sorensen, esorensen5@gmail.com
Ellen McElduff, ellenmcelduff@aol.com
Shannon Cave, shannon.cave@gmail.com
Kevin Rotheroe, krotheroe@nyc.rr.com
Anne Zaccaro, annezaccaro@pzaccaro.com
Erin Hussein, ezyko@yahoo.com

+Alumni:
Dana Foote, dfoote@gcschool.org
Laura Holt, laurablackholt@gmail.com
Vicky Hurley, vicky.mcgarry@gmail.com

+Technology and PR: Kathy Keane, Tom Evans
+Staff: Patrick Allen, Don Waring

NEW REHEARSAL BATHROOM POLICY: Many choristers have been taking advantage of the honor system of going to the bathroom so the policy must adjust. We can’t have choristers wandering around the facility during rehearsal unsupervised. All Choristers must now make sure to use the bathroom on their way to choir, only in extreme situations will anyone be allowed to leave a rehearsal. I’ve checked with Mrs. Collet, she says you all will be ok 

The Choir Schedule Goggle Cal Link: http://gchoirsched.info/home.html

Secure Area of the Website Password has changed: www.gracechurchnyc.org
CLICK MUSIC: upper right hand corner CLICK login
It is now:
username: helfenstein
Stanfordlives1894

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! If you are so inclined, please LIKE the Music at Grace Church Page on Facebook!

*AS THE YEAR 2015 HAS COME TO AN END…please look 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.