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Our Organist - Mrs. Patricia
Young G.R.S.M., A.R.C.O., A.R.C.M., L.R.A.M., A.N.E.A.
SENIOR CHOIR REPORT
2007
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
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JUNIOR CHOIR REPORT
2007
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
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BeBoPS 2007
(Anyone who can Blow, Bang, Pluck or Scrape an instrument and
enjoys playing in a musical ensemble)
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
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