Wednesday, September 14, 2016 by Brian Glosh | Full Choir

Hello Choristers and Parents,

I just wanted to congratulate you on a successful opening to the 2016-2017 School Year.  The choristers are already off to a great start!

Choir Camp was as successful as ever, especially with the added experience of singing a Sunday Service at All Saints.  Our River Road Church concert was also well attended and of course the talent show was jaw-dropping!  The choir truly came together as a team during Capture the Flag, Water Balloon Dodgeball, and the Best Game Ever which are sure to be staples of choir camp for year to come.  Luckily with the new Choir Camp schedule we were all able to get some rest over Labor Day Weekend to be ready for the Opening Ceremonies for both schools on Tuesday and Wednesday.  

The Nationals Game was also another success, with the Choristers performing the National Anthem.  Their Facebook video of the performance has already reached over 10,000 views!  

Then, to cap everything off, or welcome back Evensong on September 11th was a spectacular showing of the hard work these students have already put in for the beginning of school.  Thank you to everyone for your hard work thus far!

Here are somethings to watching out for:

1. Weekday Evensong begin on Monday, September 19th (4:45 Rehearsal, 5:30 Evensong, 6:15 Departure)
2. Installation of Honorary Diocesan Canons on Sunday, September 25th Evensong (Boys)
3. Beauvoir Breakfast on Monday, September 26th (Talk it up!)
4. Berlioz, Te Deum Rehearsal on October 14th (7-9PM)
5. Chorister Open House on October 15th (9AM-1PM)
6. Berlioz, Te Deum Concert on October 16th

Thursday, August 4, 2016 by Brian Glosh | Full Choir

Hello Choristers Parents,

I hope you are excited as I am to start the school year!  The beginning of August always brings the realization that the beginning of school is getting closer and it is time to start thinking about what is upcoming.  Today also marks the beginning of my mass communications with you about next year.  You will receive several emails regarding important information about the 2016-2017Calendar, Choir Camp, Uniforms, Meals, Nationals Baseball Game, and UK Tour Update.  All the information that I send through email can also be found on the MyMusicStaff website for easier access.  Please take the time to read the information and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.  I understand that this is a lot of information at once so I still send out reminders as we get closer to the actual events. 

*The most pressing issue to focus on right now is to RSVP for the National’s Baseball Game.  I need to begin ordering group tickets for the game and need to compile an estimated attendance.  My next email will give you more information about this performance. *

2016-2017 Calendar Updates:

August 1 ^st usually brings the release of next year’s calendar.  However, this year, you have already been privy to the calendar as it updates in MyMusicStaff.  There have been some changes since the beginning of Summer that you may have missed if you have already taken the time to write everything down.

• Sunday, September 11 ^th  – Will be a Full Choristers Evensong with a Prelude Concert before
• Sunday, October 23 ^rd – Boys will most likely join for New Dean Installation Evensong
• Thursday, May 18 ^th – Valediction and BBQ have been moved to Thursday!  (More on this later)
• Sunday, May 28 ^th – Cancelled Evensong and moved BBQ (Happy Memorial Day!)
• Wednesday, June 7 ^th – Senior Recitals have moved

Grace Day Requests can now be submitted for the 2016-2017 Academic Year.  Please do so through MyMusicStaff! Grace Day Requests 

The following is from the Chorister handbook:

Grace Day

Families shall be granted one grace day per year, to be taken at their discretion.  A grace day may be taken on a weekday or a Sunday and will apply to the whole day.  No grace day may be taken for a REQUIRED call, and no more than two girl choristers or one boy chorister may have a grace day on the same date.  Grace days will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis.  Request for a grace day should be made by email to the Chorister Program Manager, or requested through MyMusicStaff. An unexpected special service will void any requests for a grace day on that date. 

I’m not sure I can express how excited I am to begin the school year and have all the choristers back at the Cathedral, but I hope you and your entire family have had a rejuvenating summer! 

Brian Glosh

Chorister Program Manager

WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

Friday, July 8, 2016 by Brian Glosh | Full Choir

Several of our talented staff and choristers will be performing in the Cathedral's Summer Concert Series.  Here are the links to their concert information!  Come check them out!

Annabel Ricks and Madeline Kushan Senior Recital Program: Tuesday, July 12 at 6:30 (Admission $5)

Lock Me in Delight: Songs of Sleep and Waking Laura Stuart (Soprano) and Chuyoung Suter (Piano): Tuesday, July 19th at 6:30 (Admission $5)

Eya: Ensemble for Medieval Music: Thursday, July 21st at 6:30 (Admission $5)

Monday, May 16, 2016 by Brian Glosh | Full Choir

National Cathedral Choristers 2016

May 27th at the STA Refectory

2016 Chorister Barbecue and Talent Show

The Washington National Cathedral Choristers annual Family Barbecue and Talent show will be held at the St. Alban's Refectory on Friday, May 27 from 6 - 8pm.  The Cathedral music department will be providing hamburgers, hotdogs, and fixin's.  Our generous families are encouraged to sign-up below to bring a variety of sides, desserts, and drinks.  We'll also need volunteers to set up and we can all pitch in to clean up at the end!  Enter Saint Albans through the main doors on Senior Circle.  Parking available on Pilgrim Road.

Monday, May 9, 2016 by Brian Glosh | Full Choir

Dear Singers and Parents,

We are looking forward to holding Year-End assessments on May 13 and 14 for our choristers. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 13 – BOY CHORISTER ASSESSMENTS

Choir Room

Pianist: Ms. Suter

Time: 3pm-6pm

Boys will sing in order of grade, beginning with C form boys at 3pm sharp. Junior boys should plan to come immediately after school. Senior boys should arrive by 4:15 pm. Ms. Stuart will be on the premises to monitor boys as they prepare and until they are picked up afterward. They need not stay after they are finished singing, so junior boy parents can plan to pick up their singers no later than 4:30 and Senior boy parents not later than 6pm (it is very possible that we will end early).

Saturday, May 14 – GIRL CHORISTER ASSESSMENTS

Choir Room

Pianist TBA

Time: 9am-12pm

Girls will sing in order of grade, beginning with 7^th grade girls at 9am. 8^th and 9^th grade girls should report at 10am, 10^th and 11^th grade girls at 11am. They need not stay after they are finished singing. Ms. Mondel will be on-site to facilitate the process.

Please let us know of any schedule conflicts. We realize this is a busy time and will do our best to accommodate you. 

The Assessment itself will be very similar in format to last year’s. Each singer will have approximately 7-8 minutes to present a program to a single adjudicator. The program repertoire will be:

• 1. Unaccompanied, memorized folk song (singer will receive first pitch and key)
• 2. Sightsinging exercise (singer will receive first pitch and key). Level will be assigned by voice instructors.
• 3. 3 memorized repertoire selections.

Singers will be judged on Pitch, Rhythm, Tone, Expression, and Performance. Unlike last year, NUMERICAL SCORES WILL NOT BE ASSIGNED. Singers will sing for comments only, with the exception that extraordinary performances may be awarded a Distinction.

Boys will have a chance to rehearse with Ms. Suter in the week leading up to assessments. We will make every attempt to schedule rehearsal time with the girls’ collaborating pianist when he/she is secured.

This year’s adjudicator will be Dr. Richard Giarusso, chair of Musicology at Peabody Conservatory of Music and celebrated baritone and conductor. We are honored to have a musician of his caliber participating in the Assessment process.

Many thanks for your support, and please be in touch if we can help in your preparation.

Ms. Stuart