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What an amazing season of musical offerings and fun fellowship. 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 117th Season on September 11th 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: Jana and Jérome Bérard; Brad and Mary Burnham; Sarah Cogan; Vincent Dixon; Jan Ford; Sherman and Dana Foote; Laura Holt; Vicky Hurley; Laurel Lesio; David Scully; Llewellyn Sinkler; and The Revered J. Donald Waring our fabulous Rector.

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.

We want to thank Vincent Dixon 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.

Thank you Adult Choir for your beautiful offerings all year and your support of the Chorister Program.

Thank you Molly Quinn, Jolle Greenleaf our 2010-2011 chorister voice teachers and Stephen Tharp our brilliant Artist in Residence for supporting the worship life of the Parish in all that you do.

Special Chorister Recognitions

This year seven choristers had perfect attendance for the entire year.

Nicholas Burnham; Lucy Foote; Lily Fremaux; Georgia Ossorguine; Katherine Sorensen; James Waring; Luke Waring

We recognize six 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.

Old Juniors: Camille Segre Lawrence and Will Panczner
New Juniors: Eden Sherrod and Stephen Carr
Novice Choristers: Taylor Cave and Luke Waring

This year we continue two awards established and named for former Organists of Grace Church. Combined they served the Parish for over sixty 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. He served Grace Church from 1894 – 1922. 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: Phil Holt and Caity McSween

The Ernest Mitchell award for Musical Leadership is named for Mr. Helfenstein’s successor who served Grace Church from 1922 – 1960. 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: Nicholas Burnham and Chanler Shamamian

In October of this season Frank Cedric Smith Choirmaster of Grace Church from 1960-1992 passed away. Mr. Smith served this parish with distinction and 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 year we establish a new award in his name to recognize those choristers who demonstrate a deep passion for music and bring an exuberant joy to the life of the choirs.

The recipients of this first year are: Matthew Burnham and Charlotte Phillips

We recognize five 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.

Julian Berard; Oliver Wildfeuer-Bain; Isayah Young-Burke; Lucy Foote and Ashley Scully

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