Singing has been an Ascension tradition since the founding of the parish. The earliest vested choir dates back to the late nineteenth century. Today, the Parish is served by two choral ensembles: The Choir of Ascension Church, open to all adolescents and adults, and The Choristers of Ascension Church, grade school through middle school children. No audition is required but a musical interview with the Organist & Choirmaster is recommended to best determine one's musical strengths and abilities.
A commitment to participating with either choir is a serious one of rehearsal and singing. The Choir sings at all Sunday Choral Eucharist's from mid-September through Trinity Sunday as well as on major Feasts of Our Lord, Holy Week, at Evensongs, and Lessons & Carols for Advent and Lent. Midweek rehearsals on Thursday nights are the principal time of musical preparation. The Choir sings a vast offering of repertoire from Plainsong Chant and Renaissance motets to
19th-century romantic anthems and 20th century modern works.
The Choristers, a growing program that serves at the Sunday Family Eucharist is the music making opportunity for the younger children of the parish. The choristers rehearse on Sunday mornings to accommodate the full schedules of today's children. Based on teaching concepts found in larger Anglican choral programs, the children learn by experiencing the liturgy around them. Liturgical music and simple anthems are part of the children's growing repertoire. The gift of
singing, especially in the Anglican choral tradition, is one that a child will cherish their whole life through.
If you‚d like to learn more about singing with one of the choirs, or sharing a musical gift outside of singing, please contact David Kazimir, Ascension's organist and choirmaster.
David Kazimir
Organist & Choirmaster
Church 978 356 2560
Mobile 978 290 0565
E-mail davidkazimir@comcast.net |
