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Third annual RSCM New Jersey Choir Festival welcomes 30 choristers

Mark Trautman, Sandye Wilson and 30 choristers at RSCM New Jersey Choir Festival
By: 
Mark Trautman

Thirty choristers from around the state of New Jersey gathered at the Church of St. Andrew and Holy Communion in South Orange on Saturday, April 23 for the third annual Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) New Jersey Choral Festival. This year’s event was conducted by Loraine Enlow, music associate for youth choirs at St. James’ Church, Madison Avenue in New York City.

Roshan Chakane, a master’s student in Organ Performance at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, worked with the choristers on an anthem from Swaziland, including some original movement.

The day-long event concluded with a service of Evensong at which the Rev. Canon Dr. Sandye A. Wilson, rector of St. Andrew and Holy Communion, preached and presided, and Dr. John Sheridan, director of music at Christ Church, New Brunswick, served as organist. The choristers sang a Magnficat and Nunc dimittis setting by Edward Bairstow, an Anglican chant psalm, and works by Will Todd and John Rutter.

The Royal School of Church Music is an educational charity based in England that is committed to promoting the study, practice and improvement of music in Christian worship. RSCM has 15 affiliates in New Jersey, seven of which are in the Diocese of Newark. This annual choral event is a great time for children to interact and work together with their peers from around the state with an accomplished, professional conductor. Children learn demanding repertoire and have the opportunity to sing Evensong, one of the most beautiful traditions in our church. All churches are welcome to become affiliates, and more information can be found at rscmamerica.org.

The next annual RSCM New Jersey Choir Festival will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 and will be led by Donald C. Morris, music director of the Newark Boys Chorus School and music director of St. Andrew and Holy Communion. All choristers from fifth grade and up are welcome; affiliation with the RSCM is not required. To find out more, contact Mark Trautman, director of music at St. Paul’s, Englewood (mtrautman@stpaulsenglewood.org).