Lifting Every Voice to Sing
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” — Psalm 150:6
St. Paul’s is blessed to have three choirs: The St. Cecilia’s Choir of Girls, The St. Catherine’s Choir of Women, and The Choir of Men and Boys. Membership is open to anyone who would like to sing.
Music and vocal training for boys and girls is an important part of the choir experience and is based on a program developed by the Royal School of Church Music. As the choristers master key concepts and grow in experience, they are awarded ribbons and medals which they wear over their vestments. Ribbon training for the boys and girls is held prior to rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5–5:45 p.m. and is led by Marcia and Carl Giordano, along with the choirmasters.
Adults now have the option of receiving a similar music education, with an emphasis on learning to read music and vocal technique. Adult Education hours are held on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7–8:00 p.m.
St. Cecilia’s Choir of Girls
The St. Cecilia Choir of Girls sings alternately at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays, joining with other groups for special services and occasions. The choir has recently given world première performances of works by the gifted British composer Tim Scott (including his ‘First Service’ performed at Choral Evensong for girls’ voices) and together with the boys has appeared live on stage at Cleveland’s Severance Hall with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. The choir men sing with the girls on regularly as well, allowing the girls the opportunity to sing a broader repertoire. The St. Cecilia Choir celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002 and toured England with the Choir of Men and Boys in 2004 and 2008.
The St. Cecilia Choir released a compact disc of Christmas music in 2006 entitled A St. Cecilia Christmas. Copies are $10 and may be purchased by contacting the choirmaster at 330-836-9327, ext. 29 or dfortune@stpaulsakron.org.
The St. Catherine’s Choir of Women
The St. Catherine’s Choir of Women was formed in 2008 and their first season together centered around two performances: Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols during Advent 2008 and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in Lent 2009. Last fall they began regular rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and now sing liturgically at least once a month on Sunday mornings. They sang a concert last December, once again performing Britten's Ceremony of Carols with harpist Jody Guinn, along with Christmas music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Harrison Oxley, Hilegard von Bingen, and Peter Warlock. On April 18 they will sing an Evensong at 4:00 p.m. Details are given on our Upcoming Music Events page.
Choir of Men and Boys
The Choir of Men and Boys is widely recognized for its high standards in maintaining a living Anglican choral tradition. On Sundays the choir alternates singing the Eucharist or Choral Matins at 11 a.m. with singing the 9:15 a.m. Eucharist, and sings numerous choral Evensongs throughout the year with the St. Cecilia Choir of Girls. A tour of England with the combined choirs of St. Paul’s took place in 2004 and 2008.
Rehearsal Schedule
Monday — Boys' Optional Rehearsal 5:45–7:00 p.m.; Adult Music Ed 7–8:00 p.m.
Tuesday — Boys' & Girls' Ribbon Training 5–5:45 p.m.; Rehearsal from 5:45–7:00 p.m.; Adult Music Ed 7–8:00 p.m.
Wednesday — Girls' Optional Rehearsal 5:45–7:00 p.m.; Women's Rehearsal 7–8:30 p.m.
Thursday — Boys' & Girls' Ribbon Training 5–5:45 p.m.; Rehearsal from 5:45–7:00 p.m.; Men's Rehearsal 6:45–8:15 p.m.
Sundays — 8:30 a.m. Rehearsal prior to the 9:15 a.m. Eucharist; 10:00 a.m. Rehearsal prior to the 11:00 a.m. service
A full calendar of rehearsals, services, and other events is available to all choristers and parents.