Do you know a child who likes to sing?
If your answer is yes, then St. Luke’s Choristers Choir is the place!

 

History

For nearly 1,000 years, children have sung in church, especially in England. Boy sopranos provided the “top line” of the choir, while the lower parts, alto, tenor and bass, were sung by grown men from the church.

While these programs were and are quite common in England, similar programs for boys are girls are scarcely found in churches in the United States.

The Choristers Choir at St. Luke’s was founded in 2006, bringing this tradition to Granville, Ohio. It is a member of the Royal School of Church Music, an organization devoted to promoting music education in the church.

What is a Choristers Choir?

The Choristers Choir offers a sound musical education to boys and girls in grades 2 and older from the Granville area. The choir is committed to musical excellence, self-discipline and social development.

Choristers sing the music of the great composers of sacred music. The program offers a musical education that includes music theory, music history, and vocal training. Choristers learn about the liturgy and history of the church and use a curriculum developed by the Royal School of Church Music called Voice for Life. If desired, piano lessons are available free of charge to any chorister.

Who can become a member?

A more apt question might be, “who stays?” At St. Luke’s, potential choristers audition the choir, not the other way around. Anyone of appropriate age is welcome to join and give it a try, but the type of commitment demanded by the choir’s schedule means that children with marginal interest tend to leave to pursue other activities.

Choir membership tends to “click” most successfully with boys and girls who have good concentration and reading ability, along with a strong interest in music in general. No prior musical training or experience is required, although it certainly helps.

Please note that these attributes are predictors of success, not prerequisites. Several of our most gifted and successful choristers have advanced to the choir’s highest levels without fully possessing all of these attributes.

Skill levels

Choristers are divided into four skill levels: beginner, novice, junior chorister and senior chorister. To progress, musical skill levels must be achieved by completing the Voice for Life books and passing singing tests. Ribbons and medals signifying each achievement level are awarded and worn by the choristers over their vestments to show their progress.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the Blue Choir (beginners and younger novices) are Sundays, 2 to 3:15 p.m.

Rehearsals for the Red Choir (older novices and up) are Sundays, 1 to 3 p.m.

If a chorister misses rehearsal for two weeks, or cannot regularly make rehearsal on these days, it is expected that they will attend make-up or alternate rehearsal. This is scheduled as needed on a week-day afternoon.

 

More information

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about the Choristers Choir!

For more information about the Choristers Choir, or if you know a child who would like to participate, please call Scott Hayes at the church office, 740-587-0167, or email stlukesmusic@gmail.com.