Music Ministries
Music is central in Anglican worship. Our world-class choir is comprised of both professionals and parishioners, who together bring beauty to the Liturgy on Sunday and in services throughout the year. Our choirmaster’s ministry is to lead us more deeply into the themes of the seasons of the Church calendar through expertly selected hymns and anthems. So too, our youth choirs bring up the next generation of Christians by forming them in the faith through training in singing, music theory, and church history.
St. Matthew’s Choir
Our adult choir meets for practice every Thursday at 7:00pm from Advent through Pentecost. New members are welcome and should contact David Simmons for more information.
Pipe Organ Restoration
We have begun restoration on a historic pipe organ that is the kind of instrument that fits our tradition—and befits the excellence of our music program under the direction of our Organist Choirmaster David Simmons. We believe this pipe organ restoration and installation is an important project for the long-term development of our music ministries. To follow the restoration process and journey home to us, click here. To contribute, click here and select “Organ Fund” in the Fund dropdown.
Choir School
Established in 2012, and open to the community, St. Matthew’s Choir School offers first rate vocal training for youth beginning at age 6 and continuing through high school. Rooted in the excellence of the Anglican musical tradition and the rigorous and acclaimed Royal School of Church Music, St. Matthew’s Choir School develops each child's musicianship to the fullest, and nurtures invaluable life skills of teamwork, leadership, discipline, and self-confidence.
Junior Choristers: Thursdays 3:30-4:20pm
Choristers (ages 9+): Thursdays 4:30-6:00pm
Training for Royal School Exams: TBA for Spring
*Private tutoring sessions can also be arranged by emailing Kate Gremillion.
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The rehearsal schedule features small group instruction that is at once challenging and fun. In addition to weekly rehearsals and music theory training, our choristers sing in special services at St. Matthew’s and in the community. The annual calendar is divided into three terms; each includes rehearsals, RSCM study, an event, and at least one service.
Junior Choristers
6-8 years old, Thurdays 3:30pm-4:20pm
In the Bishops choir, children find their singing voice and lay the groundwork for a life-long appreciation of music. Weekly rehearsals prepare singers for entry into Choristers including development of vocal skills, ear training and introduction to reading of musical notation.
Choristers
9+ years old, Thursdays 4:30pm-6:00pm
Cathedral choristers develop advanced vocal skills, musical understanding (theory and sight-singing), and knowledge of repertoire. Each meeting includes 30 minutes of warm up and vocal training; one hour of repertoire (classical sacred pieces); and in the Trinity Term, 30 minutes of liturgy and music theory following the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Voice for Life training program. Students will have the opportunity to earn RSCM ribbons for various levels of work completed in choristers.
Schola Cantorum
Choristers, Thursdays 4:30pm-6:00pm during the Trinity Term
Schola students may further mature in their musicianship beyond the scope of the four RSCM ribbons, and to serve as mentors and leaders within the choir, while receiving small-group instruction focused on adapting to the vocal transitions during the teenage years for both boys and girls. Each meeting includes 30 minutes of warm up and vocal training; 30-45 minutes of liturgy and music theory following the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Voice for Life training program; and 30-45 minutes of repertoire (classical sacred pieces). Schola students will have the opportunity to test with official RSCM staff to earn bronze, silver, and gold medals.
Calendar
Each year includes three terms that loosely follow the Oxford calendar. All choirs; meet on Thursdays during the term dates. There are no rehearsals outside the term dates.
St. Matthew’s Term
Dates: September–December
Service: Advent Lessons and Carols Service
Event: TBA Advent Wreaths Fundraiser, assembled the last Friday in November and distributed the first week in December
Hillary Term
Dates: January–April
Service: Easter Evensong Service
Event: TBA Shrove Tuesday dinner celebration
Trinity Term
Dates: April–June
Service: Choir School Awards Ceremony and celebration party
Optional Services/Events on Rotation (not annual)
- St. Matthews Christmas morning service with Invitational Christmas Choir (all ages)
- Twelfth Night Celebration – dinner, carols, and readings to commemorate the conclusion of the 12 Days of Christmas
- Ash Wednesday
- Synod Mass
- Other invitationals throughout the year
Tuition
It is our deepest desire to offer a holy musical education that is available and accessible to the community. We place a high value on affordability so that there is no barrier to the propagation of truth, goodness, and beauty.
The nominal registration fee and annual tuition is necessary to cover the costs of curriculum, choir folders, materials, snacks, medals, robes, and printed music. Timely payment is critical to the operation of St. Matthew’s Choir School.*
2023-2024
$100 Registration Fee
due upon registration
$250 Tuition for the Spring Term
$50 discount if paid in full at registration or may be broken into 5 payments of $50 (February-June) **
Where else can you immerse your child’s mind in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty for less than the cost of a babysitter!
* A limited number of scholarships are available for families with the greatest need.
** Requires enrollment in autopay to reduce administrative costs.
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT & MANDATORY FORMS
Each child must have these forms completed and present with them on their first day.
Please contact Jill Baker at choristers@stmatthewsnewport.com for more information.
