The Cathedral Singers to appear at more services this year
Glen Visgitus hadn't sung in a choir in 13 years. He had made a successful career for himself in business, which had taken him around the world. And yet when he saw that there were auditions for the Cathedral Singers, he felt drawn back to his musical roots.
"I wanted to get back to singing," he says. "There was something missing in my life. I always loved the English church music literature, and had looked at other parishes, but Grace Cathedral has the best musicians in the region. After singing with the Men and Boys Choir at the Cathedral so many years ago, joining the Cathedral Singers was like coming home."
The Cathedral Singers is an all-volunteer singing group that is a vital part of the liturgy of Grace Cathedral. The group got its start when a few members of the congregation gathered to sing for monthly Taizé services. After these singers began meeting to sing informally, under the name Schola, they were recognized as a valuable asset to an already thriving music ministry and were brought in to supplement the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. They then became known as the Cathedral Singers.
The singers are from diverse backgrounds but most have sung in church choirs before. Principal Organist Dr. Susan Matthews directs the group and is committed to the volunteers. "We have choirs for different levels of experience and talent. We seek to find the choir that’s right for the particular singer, where they can best use their talents to minister," she says.
The Cathedral Singers gives people who love the beautifully arranged songs, that are a cornerstone of worship at Grace Cathedral, a chance to come out of the pews and get involved. "We draw from a broad range of sacred music, from early chant to the best things being composed today," says Dr. Matthews. "And then pick the repertoire suited to that group of singers, something they’ll be able to accomplish and do well."
Dr. Ronald Johnson was one of the original singers at the Taizé services. For him, being a part of the Cathedral Singers is an exciting way to be engaged in the worship experience. "To have been a part of the Singers since its founding has been nothing short of thrilling. Paramount among the experiences are the works of music I have been able to learn and perform as a Cathedral Singer."
"The directors over the years," Dr. Johnson continues, "John Fenstermaker, Christopher Putnam, Jeffrey Smith and Susan Matthews have each given me valuable tools that have greatly improved my vocalizing techniques."
Just as important as the singing for Dr. Johnson is the opportunity for fellowship that the group affords. "There are also the friendships I have made among the Singers. Those relationships have extended to other aspects of our lives together at Grace."
Dr. Matthews has already begun working with the group on its 2005-2006 repertoire. "We had the best first rehearsal!" she says. "Last year, the group made a lot of progress with Jeffrey and were much more organized. We’ve planned to have them sing in twice as many services this year as they have in the past."
In addition to their presence at special services like the Easter Vigil, Ordinations and Confirmations, the Cathedral Singers minister at the 8:15 Sunday services twice a month and often come together with the professional Choir at the 11:00 service and at Sunday Evensong. The Cathedral Singers and Choir both sing on Stewardship Sunday and on the Sunday of the Annual Meeting, performing a repertoire for large groups. "This has been really successful," says Dr. Matthews. "We always look forward to [combining the choirs]. We get a lot of positive feedback from the congregation when everybody sings together."
This year, a new singing group will be created. Camerata will be a chamber choir of mixed voices under the direction of Ben Bachmann, Assistant Director of Music. This group will sing twice a month, at Sunday Evensong and at the 11:00 service. It will consist of eight people, drawn from the Cathedral Singers and from open auditions. "We have high expectations for this group," says Dr. Matthews, "both in terms of attendance and the voices we’re looking for.
"The different choirs aren’t in competition with each other. Each group benefits each other and makes the other better."
To learn more about the work of the Music Department, or find out how you can audition for a choral group, click here.
