Diocesan Choir School makes gains

First, the bad news: the planned week-long event had to be pared down to four days due to not enough youngsters signing up.

Now the good news: There were 15 new choristers in attendance, 10 of them young adults. 

“We had to shorten it because we didn’t have enough kids,” said co-chair Mary Louise Belyea. “But that spurred us on to open it up to young adults 16 and over.”

In total, 62 choristers and staff, from ages 15 to 95, were on hand at Rothesay Netherwood School to learn new music in record time, and perform it all in a Sunday afternoon service of Evening Prayer at Trinity Church in Saint John on July 13.

The increase in new faces bodes well for the sustainability of the much-loved Choir School, which, like many other annual events, had difficulties rebounding after the pandemic.

But it continues to have some very stalwart supporters and members, including co-chair Robert Taylor, who is marking 42 years of Choir School. Two other members, Linda Pitman and musical director Spencer Belyea, also wear 40-year medallions.

Medallions are a way of rewarding longevity and keeping track of the years, with presentations each year. The 15 got their first-year medallions in a suppertime ceremony July 12, as did others for achieving various landmark anniversaries.

LONGEVITY
“I’m hoping Choir School grows,” said Mary Louise. “We have pub choirs popping up. Lots of people want to sing. Here you live and breathe music.”

Mary Louise began attending as a child, with her father directing the music. She’s been a chorister, a counsellor-in-training, counsellor, head counsellor, board member and now co-chair with Robert Taylor.

She describes Choir School as more of a camp than a school, with plenty of time for making friends, recreation, good food and fun.

“It’s an intensive week, together all week,” said Spencer. “We make great friends that turn into life-long friends. It’s a positive experience in our lives.”

Robert noted that Choir School has become a bit more relaxed than in the past.

“There’s more degree of informality these past few years,” he said. “For example, we’re not going to show up in choir gowns.”

Choir School T-shirts will suffice, he said.

Julia Nixon, 19, and Lily Cyr Ouellette, 18, acted as head counsellors this year. They’ve both been coming since 2016. 

“I had to take time off work, but you just have to,” she said. “It means so much to me, still does. There’s such a sense of community.”

“It’s the people that keep me coming back,” said Lily. “We’re a little family. These are friends you can be away from for a long time, but when you see them again, it’s like we’ve never left.”

Julia studies music at Mount Allison University.

LONG DISTANCE CHORISTERS
Peter Campion and his daughter, Cressida, make the annual trek to New Brunswick each summer to visit family, and make time for Choir School.

Peter, born in Fredericton, is chaplain at Kings Hospital School in Dublin. He’s lost count, but figures he’s close to getting a 20-year medallion.

“My father, Brian Campion, was rector at St. Paul’s Rothesay. He was involved in Choir School.”

But the family moved to Montreal before Peter could join. Education took him to the UK, but he and his family returned to New Brunswick in 2000, where he was chaplain at Rothesay Netherwood School for five years. 

“During those years I was chaplain to Choir School.”

Since leaving Canada, he and his daughter have been back most years.

“It’s part of what we do every summer,” he said. “It’s something I feel is really important for the diocese and I want to support it, and see it grow and thrive. I love singing with people who are now my friends. And I always learn new things.”

Cressida, 22, studies early childhood education in Ireland. This is her 10th year at Choir School.

“My grandad used to come,” she said. “I just love coming back, meeting up with everyone. It’s such a community.”

NEXT YEAR
“It’s hard to explain Choir School to someone who’s never been here. There’s something special about singing in a choir with the same people year after year,” said Mary Louise.

“The goal next year is a full week like we had in 2019, but no matter what form it takes, Choir School will happen.”

Choir School funding comes from the Diocesan Synod, the Fullford Trust, the ACW, the Venner Russell Fund, the R. Douglas Murray Fund and the Jean Taylor Memorial Fund, which provided adult bursaries this year.

Jean Taylor is Robert’s late wife. She and Spencer were the first to receive 40-year medallions. Her father, Douglas Murray, was the original inspiration for Choir School. 

CHORISTERS OF 2025
Sopranos: Carol Brander, Allen Cuenca, Angie Phi, Anne O’Connor, April Tatton, Ava Christie, Caroline Vanicek, Carolyn Keirstead, Cleo Cyr, Donna Dobbin, Gabi Castillo, Jamelia Moore, Jane Beyea, Jill Lloyd, Judith Snowdon, Kit Ogilvie, Lily Cyr Ouellette, Linda Pitman, Lindsay Crossman Wheaton, Marianne Vanicek, Mary Louise Belyea, Monica Watson, Penny Seelye Sweet, Robyn Cuming, Sabrina McLellan.

Altos:  Carolyn Nielson, Cressida Campion, Helen Tucker, Julia Nixon, Keira Tintero, Laura Snyder, Lea Warren, Lily Harrity, Louise Lockhart, Lynn Mills, Mary Alice Brown, Mary Marshall, Nancy Scott, Patricia Gallagher, Sandra Barss.

Tenors: Barry Snodgrass, Bill Simons, Charles Willett, James Snelgrove, Jarred Beckerton, Joel Tranquilla, John Higgins, Peter Campion, Ruth Anne Robinson, Tom Badiuk.

Basses:  Andrew Horne, Darrell James, Isaac Phi, Lucas de Freitas Martins, Michael Smith, Paul Mills, Richard Li, Robert Taylor, Spencer Belyea.

STAFF: Chaplain: the Rev. Andrew Horne; Christian culture educator: the Rev. Jasmine Chandra; music staff: Spencer Belyea, Joel Tranquilla, Gibson MacMillan, James Snelgrove.

PLANNING TEAM:  Administrative co-chairs Mary Louise Belyea & Robert Taylor; recording secretary James Snelgrove; registrar Mary Louise Belyea; treasurer Linda Pitman; print media Darrell James; librarian/medallions Lynn Mills; music co-ordinator Spencer Belyea; nurse Sabrina McLellan

Photo captions:
1. Choristers during rehearsal on July 12 at Rothesay Netherwood School.
2. First-time choristers with their medallions.
3. Peter Campion and his daughter make the trip from Ireland each summer to visit family and attend choir school.
4. Choristers during rehearsal on July 12 at Rothesay Netherwood School.
McKnight photos