Diocesan Choir School: An intergenerational approach

Unlike many church events these days, the participants at Diocesan Choir School were not exclusively a sea of grey heads.

The directors were a university student and a senior citizen. The music leaders were both younger and older. The choristers’ ages ran from 15 to people in their 90s.

The common thread at Diocesan Choir School is a love of singing, and that is not limited by age. 

Each year, they gather to learn several pieces of music, practice hard over a few days, and present their program as the culmination of an intense, four-day event. 

This year’s Choir School, one of the last in the country and now in its 67th year, was held July 9-12 at Rothesay-Netherwood School. The finale took place at Portland United Church in Saint John, with 54 voices lifted in unison to praise God and express their love of sacred music.

 The selections were a mix of spiritual, modern and traditional pieces to appeal to a broad array of tastes.

This year’s leaders were music director Spencer Belyea, accompanist Gibson MacMillan and guest clinician Michael Molloy.

LONGEVITY
One of the unique aspects of choir school is the dedication and loyalty of many members over dozens of years. During each event, medallions are given out to mark the years. 

This year, 11 newcomers received a year-one medallion. Jim McKenna, 93, received his 10-year medallion, while Cleo Cyr received her 20-year medallion. As of now, there is no 50-year medallion, but that’s going to have to change soon.

Music director Spencer Belyea is at the 48-year mark and the longest running member. A retired music teacher in the Saint John area, and the music director at Trinity Church, he lives and breathes music.

“They can’t get rid of me,” he joked. “I started when I was a boy. I was able to do music I couldn’t do in my own church. And I got to perform at a church like Trinity!”

Spencer cites the unique atmosphere as the key to longevity.

“Here, we’re all together on campus. We have our meals together, we socialize together. It’s lovely to sit down between rehearsals and nurture relationships.”

He’s particularly keen on teaching the young people who sign up.

“I swear we get the best teenagers,” he said. “They want to be here. We give them financial help to be here and they’re just lovely young people.

“Most are not churched, but for whatever reason, they’re here. Young people should have a chance to do something like this.”

FAMILY & FRIENDS
Mary Louise Belyea, one of the directors of Choir School, along with Robert Taylor, is happy with the post-COVID numbers.

While Choir School used to last a full week, during COVID it was a one-day event. Now the four-day session is helping to build up numbers and re-establish itself.

“We’re trying to grow to pre-COVID numbers and a week-long event,” she said. “Even if we stay with the four-day workshop, that’s OK — as long as it happens.

“The fact that we’ve survived even through COVID is a testament.”

In her late 20s, Mary Louise has been around long enough — 19 years — to see kids she knew now returning as adults. 

“It’s freedom and flexibility, a weekend with friends doing music we love,” she said. “We bond with each other over a shared love of music. That’s Choir School.”

The London-Vanicek family from Fredericton was at Choir School in full force. Marianne Vanicek; her parents, Sheila and Dalton London; and her children: Sebastian and his fiancée, Talia Kennedy; Caroline and Christian, were all at Choir School this year.

While they’ve been here before, this might be a first.

“I don’t think everybody has been here at the same time before,” said Sheila. 

Jarred Beckerton of St. Andrews is here for the second time. He describes his reason this way: “I love to sing, I love to make music and I love to praise the Lord!”

Donna Dobbin, from the Parish of Gondola Point, is in her 18th year of Choir School. For a long time, she felt she could never attend, because she didn’t have the technical skill.

“I don’t read music, but I don’t seem to need to,” she said. “I learn by hearing, and there’s enough support around me to keep me going in the right direction."

Donna finds this is one of the few places where so many singers come together.

“I love hearing all the different voices — from sopranos to bass. Most choirs only have sopranos, or they don’t have a choir at all.”

For Cleo, from the Parish of Hammond River, Choir School is all about the music.

“It is so spiritual. I love listening to the blend of voices. It’s nurturing and healing. I feel closer to God when I’m here.”

Photo captions:
1. The group photo is a must every year at Diocesan Choir School, but this one shows a bit more personality than usual!  Submitted photo
2. Musical director Spenser Belyea leads a rehearsal at St. Paul's in Rothesay.  McKnight photo
3. Lynn Mills has saved the t-shirts given annually to all Choir School participants and turned them into a huge beach blanket.  Photo courtesy of Lynn Mills
4. Some of the participants during a rehearsal for the final performance at Diocesan Choir School.  McKnight photo