Choir school celebrates 65th year

Diocesan Choir School is not yet back to a full week, but an expansion from one day to four is a step forward in a post-pandemic world.

“The big difference this year is a full weekend,” said co-chair Mary Louise Belyea. “What I love about it is we haven’t had a full choir school since 2019, but people are still coming back, even after five years.

“There’s still interest in getting together to sing. As a jumping-off point, it’s great.”

This year the group met at Rothesay Netherwood School and numbered 55, with both youngsters and adults ranging in age from 16 to 94. And when first-year medallions were handed out, there were 13 new choristers getting their first medallion.

Co-chair Robert Taylor, with help from Lynn Mills, managed the presentations during the Saturday supper meeting on July 13. Two people got five-year medallions; one member got a 10-year, and one got a 20-year. 

Linda Pitman was presented with a 40-year medallion. She told fellow choristers her first year of choir school began at Camp Medley, and it has been an unbroken run of consecutive years.

Robert presented the Rev. Rob Montgomery, RNS chaplain, with a plaque noting 50 of the 65 years Diocesan Choir School has operated have been spent at RNS.

Eva Ogilvie, 94, of Riverview, went to choir school many years ago, and she returned this year.

“I wanted to try it out,” she said. “I learned a lot. I thought, if I don’t do it now, I may never have the chance again.”

She sings in the choir at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Riverview.

The choristers spent Saturday evening rehearsing at St. David’s United Church, down the road from RNS. All the preparation of the three days was for the finale — a Choral Evensong at Trinity Anglican Church Sunday afternoon in Saint John.

This year’s event was under the direction of Spencer Belyea and Dr. Joel Tranquilla. The accompanist was Gibson MacMillan.

Photo captions:
1. Diocesan Choir School's official photo of 2024. Submitted photo
2. Dr. Joel Tranquilla leads rehearsal at St. David's United Church in Rothesay on July 13.
3. Eva Ogilvie, 94, returned to choir school this year after a long absence.
4. Mary Louise Belyea and Linda Pitman, after Linda was awarded a 40-year medallion. She has had 40 years of unbroken summers at Diocesan Choir School, which began for her at Camp Medley
McKnight photos