2015 Training Course Report Pacific Northwest

Transcription

1 Volume 11, Issue 2 Fall/Winter 2015 Inside this issue: VOICE for LIFE is for Congregations, Too! 2015 Training Course Reports Charlotte 4 Carolina 6 King s College 8 Montreal at St. Mark s School Washington, D.C. 11 Tulsa 12 St. Louis 13 Rhode Island at Newport Gulf Coast Training Course Report Pacific Northwest By Arwen Myers, This June, an intrepid group of choristers, adult participants, and staff kicked off the very first West Coast RSCM summer training course, which was held June 29-July 5 at Menucha Retreat Center in Corbett, Ore. Despite being one of the hottest weeks on record for June in Oregon, all of the participants raved about the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and couldn t get enough time outside. We had a true summer camp vibe out among the trees and hills, and we had a fantastic first year together. We were incredibly fortunate to welcome Bruce Neswick, FRSCM, as music director for our inaugural year, and he certainly kept us busy! Repertoire included several war- continued on page 2 Music in Ceremony at the Festival of the Hours 2015 VOICE for LIFE Medal Recipients Bless O Lord, us thy servants who minister in thy temple. Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts we may show forth in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen Remembering Ben Hutto The RSCM lost an extraordinary member on September 29, Ben Hutto lost a battle with cancer despite superb care from the major cancer centers in the USA. Ben s collegiate education was in English and journalism, but beneath that scholarship was an innate musicality that led him into high professional standards. Coupled with his superb musicianship was a sensitive ability to teach. His students, young and old, learned to strive for the highest goals musically, socially, and intellectually. Coupled with this ability was an everlasting sense of humor and camaraderie. Ben joined several of his colleagues in the establishment of RSCM America in the 1980s, eventually becoming the president of the RSCM America Board. With many of his colleagues, following the prestigious RSCM Princeton Course, he helped establish a solid system of regional RSCM courses throughout the USA. For over 30 years he was the music director of many of those courses. continued on page 3

2 Pacific Northwest Training Course continued from page 1 horses of the Anglican repertoire, as well as some newer pieces Herbert Sumsion s Preces and Responses, Service in G Major, and They that go down to the sea in ships; Edward Elgar s Great is the Lord; William McKie s We wait for thy loving kindness, O God; William Dawson s arrangement of Ev ry Time I Feel the Spirit; and Franz Joseph Haydn s Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo. We couldn t have asked for more exciting repertoire, and we worked very hard all week, under the expert leadership of Bruce and housemaster Ben Bachmann, to refine and perfect this ambitious list of pieces. Outside of rehearsal time, we enjoyed a Meditation for Musicians session by Oregon Symphony cellist David Eby, a VOICE for LIFE forum/ brainstorming session for the choir directors among the adult participants, and a screening of the new RSCM documentary Sacred Sound. The week wasn t all hard work, though; we were sure to make time for fun activities! On the first day, our wonderful proctors Maya and Max led us in spectacular icebreaker games, which had full participation by kids and adults alike ( Giants, Wizards, and Elves being the easy favorite of all involved). In true Oregon fashion, we tie-dyed our course T-shirts, and we loved seeing how they turned out. We had several swimming sessions in the beautiful pool, and everyone had a great time hiking in the Columbia Gorge we climbed to the top of Multnomah Falls, explored the woods around Menucha, and enjoyed beautiful hikes to Elowah Falls and Horsetail/Ponytail/Triple Falls. On Independence Day we had a great pool party before the first annual PNW4 Talent Show. The show was a huge hit, with participation by both adults and kids! That evening, we enjoyed s mores and games before watching the fireworks over the Gorge after the sun went down. Our final Eucharist and Evensong services took place at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on one of the hottest days of the summer. We were joined by several members of the Trinity Cathedral Choir for the services, and for the morning service, we were also joined by three string players who beautifully accompanied the Haydn. A trio of choristers sang the Benedictus particularly beautifully. Despite the heat, both the morning Eucharist and the Evensong were incredibly beautiful, and participants and staff left in high spirits. We can hardly wait for next summer s course, when we welcome Richard Webster, FRSCM of Trinity Church, Boston, as our music director. We will be in residence at Lewis & Clark College in southwest Portland, and we will have use of the campus s beautiful chapel for the course. We re thrilled to be adding three organ scholars and a Friday night Evensong, and final services will again be held at Trinity Cathedral. Next year s Pacific Northwest course will be held June 27-July 3, VOICE for LIFE is for Congregations, Too! By David Arcus Most of us who are familiar with VOICE for LIFE see an immediate application with choirs, particularly young choristers. However, this important music-learning curriculum can be as invaluable for the person in the pew. At my small Episcopal church, I introduced VOICE for LIFE for anyone who would sign up. A small handful of eager adults caught on quickly. I offered a Saturday morning class to about a dozen people, including the rector. Of this dozen, roughly half were members of the adult choir, while others were parish members eager to learn and to become better singers. From their coursework, participants pay attention to standing and sitting postures during worship. They have become more aware of how they breathe when they continued on page 4 Page 2 Royal School of Church Music in America

3 Remembering Ben Hutto continued from page 1 His work included developing an arts program at Charleston s Porter-Gaud School, where he taught English. Then he served as organist/choirmaster at major churches in Charleston, S.C.; in Charlotte, N.C.; and finally in Washington, D.C. at St. John s Lafayette Square (The Church of the Presidents), and chaired the arts programs at St. Albans School and the National Cathedral School. He was awarded the FRSCM in He was also vital in the work of the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and the American Guild of Organists. David Lowry, HonRSCM So much has been said about Ben Hutto in the last month, I daresay I don t have much new to add. I do want to share a few thoughts with you about Ben, hoping that you will be inspired to carry on his work. Ben was an Inviter work of the RSCM. Ben was an Encourager of his own youth and adult choristers at churches and schools; of choirmasters to engage in RSCM training, and to bring their choristers to a Summer Course; of parents to offer their children the best; of clergy and vestry members to commit to excellence; of colleagues already working in the field to not lose the faith. Find someone to encourage. Ben was a tireless Idea Man And, he had the courage (fearlessness?) to try new things. To be honest, not all of his ideas were great (the sign of an innovator!), but no one worked harder than Ben to follow through on an idea whether it was ways to grow the RSCM, or the chorister program at St. Albans School/National Cathedral School and it was worth all the effort he could give to it. Try something new and give it your all. ple together. Have a party! I know that so many of you have wonderful memories of Ben. The best way any of us can honor his memory is to remain dedicated to this wonderful work that we do. Cynthia DeDakis, FRSCM, Past-president, RSCM America RSCM America keenly feels the loss of Ben Hutto s presence, his warm personality, his quick wit, his consummate musicianship, his sensitive teaching style, and all the wonderful traits that made him Ben. Recognizing Ben s many years of service, and honoring his commitment to the training and education of singers of all ages and his dedication to the mission of RSCM America, we have established a scholarship fund in his name. This fund will be used to assist singers to attend one of the many RSCM America Summer Training Courses. With you, we remember the life of this extraordinary man, we commit ourselves to carrying forward those ideals to which he dedicated his life, and we pray that, when our time on earth has ended, we shall be reunited with him in the glorious company of the saints in light. Bert Landman, President, RSCM America Ben Hutto and Clara Godshall invited me to get involved in the RSCM back in 1995, assuring me that I would be able to manage the Summer Training Course in Atlanta. I know that many of you were invited by Ben to participate in some way, too. Commit to inviting others to join us in the wonderful Ben was Hospitable I can t begin to count all the wonderful people I have met through my association with Ben and the RSCM. His gracious hospitality and ability to bring people together and make sure they had a good time were legendary. Hospitality is a hallmark of the Christian life. Bring peo- To contribute to the Ben Hutto Memorial Scholarship Fund, please mail a check payable to RSCM America (with Ben Hutto Scholarship in the memo line) to RSCM America Office, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ RSCM America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions are deductible to the full extent of the law. Royal School of Church Music in America Page 3

4 2015 Training Course Report Charlotte By Alan Reed, The 12th edition of the Charlotte Training Course for Boys, Girls, Teens, and Adults was held on the campuses of Queens University of Charlotte, N.C. and Myers Park Baptist Church from July The course included 98 participants youth, adults, and staff. Mr. Tom Whittemore, ARSCM of Trinity Church in Princeton, N.J. expertly directed the course, and Mr. Stephen Buzard of St. Thomas Church in New York City served as organist. The theme of the week was The New Jerusalem, Our Heavenly Home. Fr. Ed Pickup, ARSCM, course chaplain, led discussions each evening on the afterlife as it has been understood through the histories of Judaism and Christianity. Musical highlights included a Mozart Mass, Walton s Jubilate Deo, Mendelssohn s Lift thine eyes, the Howells Service in G, and Bairstow s Blessed City, Heavenly Salem. A youth outing to Sports Connection on Saturday allowed a respite from study and singing with an opportunity for bowling, laser tag, and arcade games. Next year s Charlotte Course will be July 18-24, 2016 with director Sarah MacDonald from Cambridgeshire, England. VOICE for LIFE is for Congregations, Too! continued from page 2 sing. I even see a few holding their hymnals more carefully to help their sound carry in the church. Like members of the choir, they, too, value understanding these principles, in spite of being less in the spotlight from their place in the congregation. Hymns and service music are useful for teaching good principles of singing and understanding music. Important building blocks such as phrases, rhythms, keys, and meters populate every page, and most hymnals are invaluable resources for a variety of styles. A few of our participants this spring discovered a link for the first time between the notes on the staff and the direction their voices go as they sing. Many learned about the bass clef for the first time. My class enjoyed the challenge that The Hymnal 1982 gives them by making them determine time signatures, since these are absent on the pages. They also learned about poetic meters and the techniques involved in pairing texts and tunes. For the final session, each participant was invited to present their favorite hymn, through research in The Hymnal 1982 Companion and information gleaned from hymnary.org. Anyone who uses the VOICE for LIFE workbooks knows that the material is geared for all ages, not just for young singers. My adults did not feel that the writing was condescending. They appreciated the step-by-step approach in the workbooks, particularly since our Saturday classes tend to jump around from topic to topic as questions arise about material in all levels. The challenge remains for us to convince choristers and families of the intergenerational benefits of VOICE for LIFE, as children who are advanced in music could even use those materials to guide other members of their families. While our church work may continue to place primary importance on our choirs, both they and our non-choir singers stand to benefit from VOICE for LIFE. Page 4 Royal School of Church Music in America

5 Music in Ceremony at the Festival of the Hours By Christopher Kula In our continuing efforts to expand opportunities for music-making with worldclass musicians and to provide exceptional educational experiences, RSCM America is pleased to announce a partnership with the Festival of the Hours. While this is currently not an RSCM America Training Course, we will continue to explore the possibilities of deepening the relationship in ways that are mutually beneficial. This partnership adds another flavor to the already rich palate of experiences that RSCM America offers. the men and boys choir, one of four auditioned choral groups in residence. Ruben Valenzuela of Bach Collegium San Diego will direct the mixed-voice adult collegium; the Gregorian chant schola will be conducted by Sven Olbash of Lacuna Arts, and the treble schola by author and Byrd scholar Kerry charist, and Evensong) will be presented in a single day on July 30 by the festival ensembles. Other repertoire includes Britten, Missa Brevis in D; Harris, Faire is the heaven; Howells, A Sequence for St. Michael; MacMillan, Factus est repente; Mundy, Excellent Magnificat; Palestrina, Mis- Bert Landman, RSCM America President At the Festival of the Hours in Oakland, Calif. modeled on the Edington Festival in Wiltshire, England choral musicians of a variety of ages and abilities gather together for several days of challenging and satisfying music making in the context of the full cycle of Anglican/ Episcopal daily offices: Matins, Eucharist, Evensong, and Compline. This year, the Festival is pleased to welcome Edward Higginbottom, FRSCM of New College, Oxford to lead McCarthy. Kirk Rich fills the role of Festival Organist. Accomplished boy trebles and adult singers are encouraged to apply for the 2016 Festival, to take place from July 25 to 31 at St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Oakland. Liturgies begin Wednesday evening with Compline and conclude with Evensong on Sunday afternoon. Of special interest, the complete Second Service of John Sheppard (a full setting of the canticles for Matins, Eu- sa Viri Galilaei, as well as both new and recent Festival commissions. In addition, a series of afternoon lectures will be given, as well as an organ concert by noted American recitalist Bruce Neswick, FRSCM. Auditions for 18 boy trebles and 36 adult singers will be conducted on a rolling basis through early For information, please visit FestivalOfTheHours.org or info@festivalofthehours.org. Royal School of Church Music in America Page 5

6 2015 Training Course Report Carolina By Kevin Kerstetter, Training Courses Committee Representative The Carolina Course celebrated its 20th anniversary during the week of July 1319 on the historic campus of Saint Mary s School in Raleigh. The first Carolina Course was held in 1996 in Winston-Salem, N.C. with Séverac, Richard Shephard, John Sanders, Charles Wood, and Simon Lole. The week s music was beautifully accompanied by course organist Zachary FritschHemenway of St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and by organ scholar Richard Gray. The adults enjoyed afternoon sessions led by Mr. FritschHemenway, David Arcus, and Simon Lole, and the girls entertained an enthusiastic audience during the annual talent show. The closing Choral Eucharist was sung at Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. Following the service, the parish treated the choir to a superb luncheon. Choral Evensong was sung at St. Michael s Episcopal Church in Raleigh. Next year s Carolina Course will be June 27-July 3, 2016, with Dr. Michael Velting as music director and Colin Lynch as course organist. Simon Lole as music director. It was a joy to welcome Simon once again to be music director for the course s 20th anniversary. Thanks to the generosity of a friend of the course, Mr. Lole was commissioned to write an anthem for this significant year. His majestic new work, The Wisdom of God, was received with great enthusiasm. The girls and adult participants brought an especially high level of focus and energy to their rehearsal of works by Mozart, Grayston Ives, Déodat de Page 6 Royal School of Church Music in America

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8 2015 Training Course Report King s College By Addie Peyronnin, Choristers who participated in the King s College Course this past summer experienced a week of exuberant music-making based in the course s annual home, St. Stephen s Episcopal Pro- Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Drawing from the fanciful, imaginative, and joyously hopeful text of the full choir s anthem by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, Blest Pair of Sirens, the liturgical theme for the week centered on God s Fantastic Creatures: Biblical, Spiritual, and Mythical. The full choir spent the week working on a challenging lineup of repertoire. Forming the core of the week s musical offerings were Kenneth Leighton s Sarum Mass, David Hogan s Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (Mt. St. Alban Service), Stephen Caracciolo s Preces and Responses, and Parry s Blest Pair of Sirens. Each house also prepared individual anthems: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Cherubic Hymn (Adults/Young Adults); Gabriel Fauré, Tantum Ergo (Senior Girls); Simon Lole, The Father s Love (Junior/ Intermediate Girls); The Morning Trumpet, arr. Mack Wilberg (Teen Boys); and Gary Denison, O Lord, Support Us (Treble Boys). Scott Hanoian of Christ Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. served as an engaging and wonderfully funny music director. Other highlights were adult enrichment activities, including a workshop on vocal pedagogy and general vocal health, a Wait, Wait Don t Tell Me! -style quiz competition, and the annually popular reading session of course participants own compositions. Friday evening s dance, always highly anticipated by the youth choristers, was its usual success, and the performances by choristers of all ages at Saturday night s Variety Show combined hilarity and seriously polished pieces. Next summer will be particularly exciting as we welcome Andrew Reid, Director of the Royal School of Church Music, as our music director. Please join us from July 18-24, Page 8 Royal School of Church Music in America

9 2015 Training Course Report Montreal at St. Mark s School By Rob Picken, Celebrating its 55th year this past summer, the Montreal Boys Choir Course (MBCC) again called St. Mark s School in Southborough, Mass. its home. In 2013, after decades in Quebec, MBCC moved to the United States in order to better serve the participants. MBCC has now found a home at St. Mark s School, which is a state-of-the-art venue about 45 minutes from downtown Boston. (Plus, if you ask the boys, they have really great food!) Malcolm Archer, an MBCC regular, returned in 2015 to direct the 60-voice choir of boys, teens, and adults. The concluding services were held at Trinity Church, Copley Square. The repertoire for the morning Eucharist included Malcolm Archer s Mass of the Incarnation, Bairstow s Let All Mortal Flesh, and Messiaen s O sacrum convivium. For Evensong, the choir sang Stanford in B-flat and Preces and Responses by William Smith, and the anthem was Gabriel Jackson s In the Beginning. In the midst of learning some challenging repertoire, MBCC continues many of its great traditions. Throughout the week, theme days (e.g. Canada Day), special lunches (Tacky Dress, Twin Lunch), Murder Day with the subsequent and absurd Trial, and Home Groan (our talent show) liven the days. Daily games, arts and crafts, visits to the pool, and much more help to teach the boys (and adults) that one can combine making music at the highest level with a great deal of fun and friendship. This year, we bid farewell to two musicians who devoted much time, energy, and passion to this course: Patrick Wedd and Larry Tremsky. This course and its participants owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to these fine musicians for many years of faithful service. We welcomed on board some new leaders and organists in Vince Carr (Incarnation, Garden City, N.Y.), Colin Lynch (Trinity, Boston), and Karl Robson (St. Paul s, Rochester, N.Y.). And, of course, a huge thanks to Andrew Vivian (Program Director), Marcel de Hêtre (Registrar), Joyce Laduke (Nurse), and Fr. Ed Pickup (Chaplain). MBCC 2016 will be held at St. Mark s School and Trinity Church, Copley Square from July 24 to 31, and will feature Simon Lole as guest director. Information will be available on our website, mbccusa.com, in the coming weeks. Royal School of Church Music in America Page 9

10 Congratulations to Our 2015 VOICE for LIFE Medal Recipients! Gold Lauren Elizabeth Bodenlos: St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Burlingame, Calif. Gabriel Lim: St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Burlingame, Calif. Silver Abigail Grace Alexander (Commended): St. Philip s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, Ariz. Brittany Nicole Beers: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Anne Casscells (Highly Commended): St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Burlingame, Calif. Olivia Czech (Highly Commended): Trinity Church in the City of Boston, Mass. Ezekiel Gremillion: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Isabelle Sophie Gremillion: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Gabriel Haddad (Highly Commended): Trinity Church in the City of Boston, Mass. Jonah Harwood: St. Philip s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, Ariz. Elizabeth Henderson (Highly Commended): The Parish Church of St. Helena, Beaufort, S.C. Eugenia Henderson (Highly Commended): The Parish Church of St. Helena, Beaufort, S.C. J. Andrew Hubbard (Highly Commended): First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, Ind. Ruby Meyer (Commended): St. Philip s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, Ariz. Charlotte Palmer (Commended): St. Luke s Episcopal Church, East Greenwich, R.I. Alex Pouloski: The Chapel of St. John the Divine, Champaign, Ill. Karissa Shannon (Commended): The Chapel of St. John the Divine, Champaign, Ill. Karine Kiel Story (Commended): St. Philip s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, Ariz. Bronze Abigail Allport: St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Englewood, N.J. Caitlin Beers: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Jessica Beers: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Palmer Berry: St. Luke s Episcopal Church, East Greenwich, R.I. Emily Louise Boyle: First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, Ind. Sharmine Cenatus: Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, N.J. Isabel Selin Ertac: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Sara Melis Ertac: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Ishmael Christopher Fox: St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Englewood, N.J. Jesse Mae Franz: First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, Ind. William Graczewski (Highly Commended): St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Burlingame, Calif. Carolyn W. Hoff (Commended): St. Columba s Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C. Oliver Hubbard (Commended): First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, Ind. Sarah Lawrence (Commended): The Parish Church of St. Helena, Beaufort, S.C. Sydney Lawrence (Commended): The Parish Church of St. Helena, Beaufort, S.C. Isabel Katharine Morgan: St. John s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, N.C. Elena Nicholls (Commended): First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, Ind. Alonzo David Swamy (Commended): St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Englewood, N.J. Kara Swanson: St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. Caitlyn Taylor (Commended): St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Englewood, N.J. Camila Andrea Tixe: St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Englewood, N.J. Belen Urreiztieta (Commended): St. Philip s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, Ariz. Cydney Brown Wathen (Commended): First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, Ind. Kyla Whitlock (Highly Commended): Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, N.J. Jonathan Willey (Highly Commended): St. Paul s Episcopal Church, Burlingame, Calif. Julia Christine Wong (Commended): St. Matthew s Anglican Catholic Church, Newport Beach, Calif. RSCM America Affiliates will soon be able to buy all VOICE for LIFE medals, ribbons, and pins directly from the RSCM America Office! Watch for an official announcement! Page 10 Royal School of Church Music in America

11 2015 Training Course Report Washington, D.C. By Ben Keseley, The Washington, D.C. Course provides a challenging and thrilling week-long music experience for choristers of advanced ability. Choristers experience fine repertoire sung at an exceptionally high level, intense rehearsals, and sing several services throughout the week. This was the 15th year of the course, which was manuel Chapel on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary with its new Taylor and Boody pipe organ, expertly played by course organist Aaron Goen. There we were honored by the presence of Ray Glover, edi- marked by record enrollment and incredible music making under the direction of music director Bruce Neswick, FRSCM. The choristers sang five services and a mini outreach concert during the week. The many performances of this course provide a unique opportunity to sing in many historic and important spaces around the Washington, D.C. metro area. Evensong was sung in the new Im- tor of The Hymnal Evensong was sung Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evening at the Washington National Cathedral, which included Herbert Howells St. John s Service. We were honored by the presence of Ben Hutto, FRSCM, course founder and beloved course committee member, at our Friday Evensong. All were delighted he was able to attend. Friday afternoon s mini-concert at Union Station in Washington, D.C. was a great success and provided opportunities for choristers to conduct, and for many to hear the fine singing of these youth. Choristers also sang Choral Eucharist on Sunday morning at St. Mary s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Va., which included Harold Darke s Service in A Minor. Mr. Neswick s fine leadership and superb musicianship brought forth the best in these singers and made for a wonderful week, one of not only exceptionally highquality music making but of lasting friendships and human formation. Beyond all the musical highlights and incredibly beautiful singing, other highlights included a trip to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum, where we sang Dona nobis pacem gathered around the space shuttle; numerous games on the lawn; and excellent food and fellowship. Additionally, we were very grateful for the Episcopal High School pool, our excellent proctors who brought wonderful energy and creativity to this year s course, and for the singing of Compline in different spaces each night, including at the base of the Washington Monument. The 2016 course will be held July with Ben Outen as music director. We are excited for next year s course and to build on the wonderful tradition of offering an ultimate experience for the advanced chorister in the nation s capital. Royal School of Church Music in America Page 11

12 2015 Training Course Report Tulsa By Sara Arnold, Richard Webster, FRSCM, directed the 16th Tulsa Course for Boys, Teen Boys, and Adults. The 2015 Tulsa Course brought together returning boys and adults, as well as first-time participants. The course was housed on the beautiful campus of the University of Tulsa and sang services daily at Trinity Episcopal Church in historic downtown Tulsa, Okla. ership, the course became a choir. The treble boys, in particular, were encouraged to appreciate what they have while they have it. Evensong and Eucharist included music by Messiaen, Moore, Wood, Stanford, Millington, Bruckner, Parnell, and Webster. Two organ scholars worked throughout the week with course organist Casey Cantwell. The organ scholars played for many of the services throughout the week. Volunteer work was also a part of the week. Each of the boys worked several hours at Iron Gate at Trinity Tulsa. Iron Gate is a feeding ministry on the grounds of the church, and serves a hot meal to the hungry and homeless 365 days a year. The boys served food to the guests, prepared snack packs for kids, and prepared food bags from the food pantry. In addition to the fun of singing, worshiping, and serving, course participants enjoyed recreation and building of long-lasting friendships. Wednesday afternoon was an outing for bowling, where all levels of skill were exhibited. After Evensong on Friday, the boys enjoyed swimming and pizza at a parishioner s Through daily rehearsals and services, and under Mr. Webster s magnificent lead- home while the adults enjoyed a wonderful dinner at another parishioner s home. The Saturday night tradition of an exceptional and fun talent show rounded out the week. Next year the Tulsa Course for Boys, Teen Boys, and Adults will be July 11-17, 2016 with director Michael McCarthy. For more information and registration, visit the course website at rscmtulsa.com. Page 12 Royal School of Church Music in America

13 2015 Training Course Report St. Louis By Debra Nethercott, An unusually cool July set the stage as staff greeted participants in the 2015 RSCM St. Louis Training Course. Led by consummate musician Andrew Walker of St. Michael s Episcopal Church in Orlando, Fla., the course was attended by 71 choristers, teen singers, adults, and staff. Toddhall Retreat Center, just across the Mississippi River in Columbia, Ill., served as the beautiful and inspiring setting for housing and rehearsals. The 18th year of the course involved many varied activities, keeping everyone onthe-go from morning to night. In addition to intense musical preparation and study, highlights of the week included a plethora of annual games: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Soccer, and the ever-popular Game of Champions. Winners in each category had the privilege of being first in line at meals a well-deserved and fitting reward! Of course, the week would not have been complete without The Water Games, which placed choristers on the defense when the proctors staged surprise attacks with not a dry singer in the camp! Proctors assisted the choristers in Compline each evening. Morning Prayer was led by the course chaplain, Br. Vincent Ignatius, O.S.B., who also provided evening homilies at Choral Evensong. The course culminated in two public worship services. The singers worked hard all week to perfect and share the challenging music presented during the weekend. Mr. Walker led the musicians in a unique Saturday evening service entitled The Church Year in Music and Word. Held once again this year at the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, Mo., the service was based on the seasons of the liturgical year with Doug O Neill as organist. Those in attendance were treated to scripture readings and a series of anthems by notable composers such as Haydn, S. S. Wesley, Herbert Howells, and even Mr. Walker himself. The concluding Sunday morning Mass was held at the Basilica of St. Louis, where the choir was greeted with joyful enthusiasm by the priest and congregation alike. Plans are already underway for next summer, when the RSCM St. Louis Training Course will be held July 18-24, 2016 at Toddhall Retreat Center under the musical direction of Bruce Neswick, FRSCM. Royal School of Church Music in America Page 13

14 2015 Training Course Report Rhode Island at Newport By Brent Erstad, The fifth Rhode Island Course was challenging, rewarding, and great fun. Under the very capable musical leadership of Dr. Dale Adelmann, we explored repertoire related to the course theme of Heaven. By the end of the week we had sung two Evensong services, a hymn festival, and a packed closing Eucharist. One of the many highlights of the week was Dr. Robert Lehman s conducting class, which proved both educational and entertaining. Our organ scholars, in particular, benefited from this instruction, which was, for many, their first time conducting an ensemble. Our voice teacher, Roberta Bishop, engaged students with great energy and sensitivity in private coachings and during her successful singing class. There have been many calls to expand these offerings even further next year. Our Compline choir, under the direction of Dr. Anne Matlack, afforded opportunities for many different groups to lead Compline throughout the week, and a men s ensemble, led by Scott Toperzer, entertained us with a sea shanties and pirate songs on Wednesday evening. All in all, we had a fantastic week of music making. When they weren t rehearsing or singing liturgies, our course participants enjoyed two trips to Sachuest Beach, a mixer dance, the popular talent show, and hours of entertainment from our much-beloved head proctor, Tim McLellan. Adult participants also enjoyed sightseeing in Newport and a group dinner downtown. We re much indebted to our course accompanist, Dr. Jason Roberts, who played and taught so creatively throughout the week, and to the many other people who make this course run smoothly. We re particularly grateful this year for the work of our founding course manager, Dr. Priscilla Rigg, who is retiring after many years of great service to the church and to children in Rhode Island. Next year s Rhode Island Course at Newport will be August 1-7, Page 14 Royal School of Church Music in America

15 2015 Training Course Report Gulf Coast By Anna Teagarden, The Gulf Coast course celebrated its 10th anniversary in Houston, Tex. this year. Our theme was Deep in the Heart of RSCM. The course welcomed back many familiar faces, as well as many new young singers. The girls worked diligently on demanding repertoire, and our clinician, Dr. Frederick Teardo of Cathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham, Ala., expected the best out of the girls and achieved it time and time again. An Evensong was held at Rice University Bates Organ Hall to a full house. The acoustics of the room complimented the Howells Gloucester Service, Hancock Responses, and the exquisite Byrd Prevent Us, O Lord. A second Evensong was held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church with the addition of Parry s I Was Glad. The girls serenaded a large gathering of patients and their families at Methodist Hospital s beautiful Crain Garden, decked out in course T-shirts, cowboy hats, bandanas, and boots. The Texas locals loved teaching Deep in the Heart of Texas to girls from across the country and even from New Zealand! Morning Prayer was sung each morning and each day ended with Compline. The talented proctors presented Compline on Friday night, which was open to the public. The musical week culminated with the splendid sounds of a brass ensemble accompanying the Vierne Messe Solennelle. The course was made especially wonderful by the incredible organists on staff Ken Cowan, Dr. Paolo Bordignon, and Dr. Giles Brightwell who provided instruction for the course organ scholars. Lots of fun was had, and the houses, named for Texas wildflowers (Indian Paintbrushes, Bluebonnets, Buttercups, and Primroses), competed for the House Cup all through the week. The girls enjoyed a Tex-Mex dinner, shopping at Rice Village, a snow-cone truck, a barbecue and old-fashioned games on July 4th, an amazing talent show, and finally a luncheon after services on Sunday, where the Buttercups took the House Cup! The magic of this course, in addition to the amazing repertoire that the girls learn, is in the bond made through friendships while singing all to the glory of God. This year was particularly special, as all of the proctors were former choristers who had attended the course for many years. Next year s Gulf Coast Course will be June 6-12, Royal School of Church Music in America Page 15

16 Royal School of Church Music in America at Westminster Choir College 101 Walnut Lane Princeton, NJ / rscmamerica.org RSCM America Board of Directors Ebert W. Landman, Jr. President Gary R. Correll Treasurer Betsy Calhoun Secretary Diane D. Caruso Christopher Harrell Kevin Kerstetter Training Courses Committee Representative John Wahlstrom Andrew Walker Past-President Waylon Whitley Ex Officio members of the Board: Kevin Radtke Coordinator Rev. Edmund Pickup, ARSCM Pastoral Advisor/Chaplain Hear Our National Choir in Washington, D.C. in January! The RSCM America National Choir, under the direction of RSCM America Pastpresident Andrew Walker, will sing two Evensong services and a short concert at Washington National Cathedral in January The services will be on Friday, January 15 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 17 at 4 p.m. Friday s service will feature Smith s Preces and Responses in A-flat, Murrill s Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in E, and Duruflé s Ubi caritas. The Evensong on Sunday, which will be sung with the Washington National Cathedral Choir of Men and Girls, will include Bryan Kelly s Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in C and Moses Hogan s arrangement of Abide with Me. Preceding the Sunday Evensong will be a 30-minute a cappella concert by the National Choir. This gathering will be the second outing for the 40-voice National Choir, which sang four Evensongs in London s Westminster Abbey between Christmas 2014 and New Year s Any member of RSCM America age 21 or over may send in an audition recording at any time to be added to the National Choir s waiting list. Details may be obtained by contacting Andrew Walker at or andrew@stmichaelschurch.com.