New Britain Herald – Newington’s Church of Christ Congregational Choir School joins four others in the sacred Anglican tradition
Alvin M. Keeling
2 min read
The Church of Christ Congregational Choir School in Newington will join four other youth choirs in a sacred Anglican tradition later this month.
An Evensong Chorale service is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 27 at 5 p.m. at Trinity College Chapel, 300 Summit St., Hartford.
The Christ Church Treble Choir will be joined by St. John’s School Choir in West Hartford, Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford, St. Paul’s Church in Fairfield and St. Paul’s Church in Norwalk .
The event is sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church as part of its Music at the Red Door concert series.
“Each of these events is sung by a different choir, but we try once a year to have a concert that specifically features children. This year we are combining that with four other church choirs,” said Scott Lamlein, director of music in St. John’s and organizer of this event.
The evening program will include works by Herbert Howells, Mary Plumstead, Felix Mendelssohn and Sarah MacDonald.
This is the first time that the five choirs will sing together. Involving children in their church choir schools not only teaches them how to perform vocally, Lamlein pointed out, but also how to be leaders and develop character.
“The fact that we’re doing it with five choirs lets them see that what we’re doing is more important than their choir,” he said. “It gives them a taste of what it’s like to be in a larger situation.”
For those unfamiliar with Choral Evensong, this translates to “Song at Evening”.
“Choral Evensong is an English or Anglican music-based church service,” Lamlein said. “It features sacred choral music that helps those who attend center their souls, become at peace and feel good before they start their work week on Monday. This is intentionally at the end of the weekend. It has its roots in the great cathedrals of England.
Bible readings are integrated into the show, with prayers sung by the choir.
Masks will be mandatory. Free entry.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO
WHAT: Five youth choirs perform Choral Evensong
WHEN: Sunday, March 27 at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Trinity College Chapel, 300 Summit St., Hartford
Erica Drzewiecki can be reached at edrzewiecki@centralctcommunications.com.
