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Dear Choir Families,
TGIF and Happy GCS Ski Weekend and Grace Church Annual Meeting Weekend!

Will you join me once more in thanking Mary Cannon and Mandy Hackett for organizing us all for such a magnificent reception!
and thank yourselves for all each of you did supporting them with resources, work and yummy things.

Just a few notes as we move into the second half of the season 🙂

SENIOR CHORISTER FAMILIES: Spring Break is not so far away and that means also Easter is not far away. It’s early this year.
THE EASTER SCHEDULE FOR SENIOR CHORISTERS:
Rehearsal for Easter Day:
Saturday 26 March from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. REHEARSAL for ALL CHOIRS with Brass and
Organ in the Church.
EASTER DAY SERVICES:
8:00 a.m. Call for all choir members, warm up in the Church (Seniors Only today)
9:00 a.m. First Easter Service in the Church
10:10ish a.m. CHOIR EASTER BREAKFAST in the GCS Dining Room
11:00 a.m. Second Easter Service in the Church

NOVICE TRANSITION TO JUNIOR!

1. The Novices are now called NEW JUNIORS.

2. 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.

3. In a week or so, 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.

4. 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.

5. THIS SUNDAY IS THE SECOND JUNIOR SUNDAY of the 2015-2016 Season! If your 5th grader is away on the ski trip this weekend, please let me know.

THIS IS A REQUIRED SUNDAY FOR ALL JUNIORS (3rd through 5th grade), unless they are on the ski trip.

CALL/WARM UP is 9:45 in the Music Room
Service is 11:00 a.m. in the Church ending around 12:20 p.m.
The OLD Juniors will be sitting in the choir stalls, Girls on the North Side, Boys on the South.
The NEW JUNIORS will be sitting in the front pews, Girls on the North Side, Boys on the South.

I’ll be conducting them from the center aisle and they will all face the nave.

6. Our third and final JUNIOR SUNDAY comes in May.

7. HOLY COMMUNION will be offered this Sunday at 11 a.m.
Some notes…… 🙂
* 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 Afternoon Rehearsals is now THE HONOR ROOM – Enter from the School via the water fountain and stairs of the tower through the 8th grade dump :-).

Have a great weekend and thank you again, love, Patrick

CHOIR FAMILY NEWS 29 JANUARY 2016

THIS COMING WEEK:
We are on regular schedule – except! Remember Junior Families – NO Evensong, Rehearsals in January go from 5:00 – 6:30 to prepare for this coming Sunday morning!

NOTE SOMETHING NEW! For the Novice – NOW NEW Juniors and Junior Chorister afternoon rehearsals we will now gather and dismiss from the Honor Room rather than the Music Room, please bring all your things and come directly there! It’s much more efficient.
Tuesday at 3:20 – Tuesday at 5:00 – Friday at 3:20!

SENIOR CHORISTER FAMILIES: Spring Break is not so far away and that means also Easter is not far away. It’s early this year.
THE EASTER SCHEDULE FOR SENIOR CHORISTERS:
Rehearsal for Easter Day:
Saturday 26 March from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. REHEARSAL for ALL CHOIRS with Brass and
Organ in the Church.
EASTER DAY SERVICES:
8:00 a.m. Call for all choir members, warm up in the Church (Seniors Only today)
9:00 a.m. First Easter Service in the Church
10:10ish a.m. CHOIR EASTER BREAKFAST in the GCS Dining Room
11:00 a.m. Second Easter Service in the Church

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 12, 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.

THIS SUNDAY IS THE SECOND JUNIOR SUNDAY of the 2015-2016 Season! If your 5th grader is away on the ski trip this weekend, please let me know.
THIS IS A REQUIRED SUNDAY FOR ALL JUNIORS (3rd through 5th grade), unless they are on the ski trip.
CALL/WARM UP is 9:45 in the Music Room
Service is 11:00 a.m. in the Church ending around 12:20 p.m.
The OLD Juniors will be sitting in the choir stalls, Girls on the North Side, Boys on the South.
The NEW JUNIORS will be sitting in the front pews, Girls on the North Side, Boys on the South.
I’ll be conducting them from the center aisle and they will all face the nave.

Our third and final JUNIOR SUNDAY comes in May.

HOLY COMMUNION will be offered this Sunday at 11 a.m.
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 

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.

*THIS WEEKS SCHEDULE:

Friday 22 January Novice – now NEW JUNIOR Boys Rehearsal
3:20 – 4:30 NEW Gather in the HONOR ROOM – from now on,
Drop off and Pick up in the Honor Room!

Sunday 31 January, NEW AND OLD JUNIOR SUNDAY with Senior Mentors
9:45 Call for all Choristers in the Music Room (REQUIRED FOR ALL OLD AND NEW JRS)
11:00 Service over around 12:20 p.m.

1:00 – 2:00 HS Singer Rehearsal in the Music Room
ENTER and PICK UP from 802 Broadway Entrance.

Tuesday 2 February
7:00 a.m. Breakfast Club and Morning Rehearsal, Senior Boys

Tuesday 2 February – Novice – now NEW JUNIOR Girls’ Rehearsal
3:20 – 4:30 NEW Gather in the HONOR ROOM – from now on,
Drop off and Pick up in the Honor Room!

Tuesday 2 February Junior Boys and Girls Rehearsal
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
 NEW Gather in the HONOR ROOM – from now on,
Drop off and Pick up in the Honor Room!
NO EVENSONG TODAY.

Wednesday 3 February
7:00 a.m. Breakfast Club and Morning Rehearsal, Senior Girls

Wednesday 3 February 

3:20 – 4:30 p.m. After School Vocal Coaching, Music Office

Thursday 4 February
7:00 a.m. Breakfast Club and Morning Rehearsal, Junior and Senior Boys

Thursday 4 February 

3:20 – 4:30 p.m. After School Vocal Coaching, Music Office

Friday 5 February
7:00 a.m. Breakfast Club and Morning Rehearsal, Junior and Senior Girls

Friday 5 February Novice – now NEW JUNIOR Boys Rehearsal
3:20 – 4:30 NEW Gather in the HONOR ROOM – from now on,
Drop off and Pick up in the Honor Room!

Sunday 7 February , The Choir of Men and Boys
9:45 Call for SENIOR CHORISTERS in the Music Room (REQUIRED)
10:15 Call for Juniors (optional)

11:00 Service over around 12:20 p.m.

Lunch after Church
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Senior Boy Treble Rehearsal
1:00 – 2:00 HS Singer Rehearsal in the Music Room

ONGOING INFORMATION SOURCES:

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

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

*Sign Up Genius for Choir Parent Volunteer Sign Link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040B4CA9A72DA64-choir/11611445

*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.