The members of the Senior Choir lead the music in church every Sunday from January to the start of July and from Labour Day until the end of December, as well as other special services throughout the year. Occasionally the members are asked to sing at funerals and other events. Those who are able will offer their time to lead the music, but a number have work or other commitments that preclude their attendance at week-day events.

The Choir rehearses most Thursday evenings, except in the summer months. We would be happy to welcome new members, and, like most choirs, are in particular need of tenors! Singers should be able to sight-read choral music as we have limited time for sectional part practices. The Choir enjoys social times - a cup of tea and cake once a month to celebrate members' birthdays, pot-luck dinners, etc. when laughter is quite as important as the singing and eating!

We sing a wide variety of music, ranging from the Palestrina "Matin Responsary" sung from the back of the top gallery on Advent Sunday to spirituals such as "Standin' in the need of Prayer". We are regularly adding to our repertoire from the Church Anthem Book purchased last year, as well as individual anthems acquired for special occasions. Early in 2007 we purchased the new "More Voices" and have been enjoying singing many of the songs from this publication, which are useful as introits, or benedictions, or during Holy Communion.

At the beginning of March I slipped and broke my right ankle in three places. I am most grateful to Dr. David Peters, our Organist Emeritus, who looked after the music for the services during March and April, directing the Senior Choir and playing the organ for worship services. This was during Lent and the Easter services, a very busy time musically. I thank him for all his work and enthusiasm.

June 16th was the 50th anniversary of the installation of our Casavant Organ. We celebrated this with a special concert on the afternoon of Sunday, June 17th. Charlie Pope Sr. was Master of Ceremonies. The Senior Choir sang a setting of Psalm 150 by Charles Stanford,. Dr. David Peters played the Toccata and Fugue in d minor by J. S. Bach and the Guilmant Sonata in d minor, both of which he had performed at the Dedicatory Recital on June 19, 1957. Ki Adams, organist at Cochrane Street Church from 1982 to 1992, was away but sent a message which was read. Lester Goulding who had worked on the installation in 1957, gave a talk about the Construction of a Casavant Pipe Organ. Patricia Young played five pieces chosen to showcase some of the unique stops on the instrument. The Concert ended with the audience singing the Hubert Parry tune for the hymn "Sing Praises to God".

On Sunday, July 8th we had a splendid visiting choir to lead the music at the morning service. The Swift Current Comprehensive Chamber Choir from Saskatchewan was in St. John's for a week of choral singing with Festival 500. This choir sang several beautiful anthems. After the service our choir served them with a hearty luncheon, and enjoyed their enthusiasm and interest in our Church, especially the organ and the stained glass windows.

On September 23rd most of the Choir attended the rehearsal and sang with members of several other United Churches at a special Concert with Bruce and Cheryl Harding, This was held at St. James Church as a fund-raiser for the United Church Chaplaincy in St. John's.

In November the Senior Choir presented "Musical Treats and Just Desserts,"an evening of music, ending with an abundance of delicious desserts, coffee and tea. We had a lot of fun preparing this. We decorated the Fellowship Hall and set the tables for about 200 guests. Raie Lene Heath sang two solos, leaving the audience clamoring for more! We were thrilled to have two outstanding groups as guest performers. "The Phillies" is a group of six members of the Philharmonic Choir who enjoy singing so much they rehearse each week and take their singing to seniors' homes, etc. One of their members is Corinne Burgess who also sings in our Senior Choir. We were also thrilled to have "The Pickett Line" play for us. This group is led by Stan Pickett, accordion, with Andrew Lang, mando-cello and Francesca Swann, 'cello. We raised over $860 for the Organ Fund and had a great deal of fun singing secular music for a change!

In November the St. John's United Churches came together in our sanctuary to have "An Evening of Music" in support of Cowan Heights United Church reparation. With a combined choir of about 140 singers and enthusiastic audience we were able financially to help Cowan Heights Church to repair the collapsed roof. We are all so happy that the congregation there was able to worship again in their own sanctuary in time for Christmas.

At Christmas Clifton Murray, who is a grandson of Olga Davis, was visiting from British Columbia, and joined us for some rehearsals and for the Service of Lessons and Carols. He also sang "O Holy Night" at the Christmas Eve Family Service, accompanied by his Father, Craig Murray.

We are always delighted to welcome former members back to the Choir when they can come to Cochrane Street. They often share their musical talents with us. Pamela (Knight) Burton, Brad Antle, Brent and Stephanie Fifield, Charlie Pope Jr., Evan Purchase, to mention a few who sang with us during 2007.

During 2007 the Choir has been quite productive! In January alto Rhonda Coady had a daughter Kennedy. In April alto Jane Bowden had a daughter Lucy. These two little girls are often in Church on Sunday mornings and are becoming great friends. In June Darlene Matthews gave birth to triplet boys, Albert, Benjamin and Gavin - all doing well. We miss the mothers' participation in the choir but have the added expectation of getting some new singers in the Junior Choir some time in the future!

I wish to thank each one of the members of the Senior Choir for their loyal attendance at practices and services. I thank them, not only for their beautiful singing, but also for the love and support they show to each other and to me. They provide spiritual as well as musical blessings to the congregation.

It is my joy and privilege to work with them.

Respectfully submitted,

PATRICIA YOUNG
Minister of Music

The Junior Choir has taken part in the music at many of the worship services during 2007. Sometimes the Junior Choir joins with the Senior Choir in singing the Introit and sometimes sings an Introit or an Anthem alone. The young people come into the choir gallery at the start of service, participate in the prayers and the opening hymn, and then go down to join the other children from the congregation for the Children's Time before going out to Sunday School.

This Choir does not have regular weekly rehearsals. Several times a year the Choir meets for a few weeks of rehearsals for particular Sundays - Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas or when we have a special anthem or musical presentation to prepare. In October the young people acted the gospel lesson of the "Ten Lepers". In November the Junior Choir presented "Know that God is Good", singing this four times in four different languages - English, French, Swahili and Spanish. The Choir taught this song to the congregation.

The Junior Choir joined the Senior Choir for the service of Lessons and Carols, singing several carols on their own. On Christmas Eve the Junior Choir led the music for the 7:00 pm. Family Service. They were most competent.

We had a bowling party in February, which was a lot of fun. We thank the Ladies in Cochrane Street Church U. C. W. for their generous donation for this event.

This is a gifted group of young people. We are blessed to have them sharing their talents with us on many occasions. I thank the parents and grandparents for their time and enthusiasm in supporting these choristers.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Young
Minister of Music

The musicians in this group had a difficult challenge in 2007 to find opportunity to rehearse and perform together. Several of the members have shift work, some are university students and some are busy professionals, and/or parents of young children.

We tried to organize other dates but in fact only performed on one Sunday in 2007. On Sunday November 18 the BeBoPS played almost all of the music at the morning service. We played five pieces for the prelude music, for all four congregational hymns, two pieces during the offertory, and the old favourite "Onward Christian Soldiers" for the postlude.

Two members of the BeBoPS played at various other services. Ashley Sheppard who has just completed her B. Mus. degree in clarinet performance and the B. Mus. Ed. degree and Gillian Sheppard, now studying flute performance at the University of Ottawa, played in 2007. These two performers also gave a lunch-time concert in July, each performing several solos, as well as an arrangement for flute, clarinet and organ of J. S. Bach's "Arioso".

It certainly is a delightful change to have the BeBoPS play for Sunday services, and the musical offering of these instrumentalists is greatly appreciated. We would be very pleased to have new members join this group. Several of the musicians are not regular members of Cochrane Street Church. We are happy to welcome anyone who can Blow, Bang, Pluck or Scrape an instrument, can read simple music and follow the beat!

Respectfully submitted,

PATRICIA YOUNG
Minister of Music