Cathedral Choir Room Renovation

Sun, 9 May 2010 11:11:16 -0400

Over the last seven months, extensive renovations to the interior and exterior of the Cathedral Choir Room were undertaken. Thanks to two generous grants from the New York State Dormitory Authority and The Diocese of Albany (through the kindness of Bishop Love), a new slate roof with copper flashings has been installed above this portion of the Cathedral. The 1902 Steinway piano was restored thanks to the kind support of Ms. Marjorie Jakovic. Pat Millett, one of our devoted choir parents, donated his time and skill making plaster repairs to the interior of the choir Room and entry way. The Friends of the Choir funded the restoration of the quarter-sawn oak floors as well as new lighting for the choir room and entry way. Painting was undertaken by Messers Bynum and Schultz with the help of Corey Hough. Other individuals involved in the restoration include Stephen Piwowarski, Andrew and Elizabeth Howard, Todd Allen, William Harrison, Robert Richter, Griffin Simon, Sergio Rodriguez, Robyn Klein, Doug and Ian Davis, Alexander Jones, Don Csaposs, Gene Garber, Dean Vang and many others who volunteered their time and resources. The Music Department wishes to thank everyone who made this project possible. To celebrate the completion of this work, the Choir Room was re-dedicated by The Right Reverend David S. Ball on Sunday 9 May following the 10 o’clock liturgy. A champaigne reception followed. The restored Steinway piano was rededicated by Ryan Reilly (brother of Cathedral chorister Connor Reilly) who begins his studies next fall at The Juilliard School.

Click here to view a gallery of photos and videos of the work

A Letter from The President of the Friends of the Choir

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:47:51 -0500

Dear Friends:
It is not hyperbole to say that for the past 138 years, the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys has been changing people’s lives. From those who have served in her ranks, to those who have experienced her music, this unique choral program has been changing the way people think about themselves, their community, and most importantly, their God. A recent article in the Albany Times Union described the experience as follows: “The voices . . . captivated an audience that sat unmoving and awestruck.”
Changing people’s lives. The choristers who have made up the cathedral choir range from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds and have gone on to become teachers, engineers, doctors, Army Rangers, and community leaders. Today’s choir is filled with those same stories, providing direction and balance to its young choristers, inspiration and fulfillment to its more senior members. How many other programs can truly make this claim?
Changing people’s lives. In just the past year, The Friends of the Choir facilitated the creation of the Lloyd E. Cast, Jr. Organ Fellowship, a revolving full-time position dedicated to furthering the career of a promising young church musician. Talented organist Robert W. Richter is in the second year of his fellowship and has worked tirelessly to assist Director Woodrow Bynum in the growth and development of the choir program. Both he and our lives have been enhanced as a result of this experience.
Changing people’s lives. In August, eight cathedral choristers spent a week in Montreal with choristers from across the United States and Canada, training under the direction Andrew Lumsden, Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral, England. One of our boys was awarded Chorister of the Week for his talent and effort!
Changing people’s lives. All of this hard work and dedication results in musical offerings that enrich our lives. As you will see from the enclosed list of choral services, the coming year is filled with a variety of excellent opportunities to experience the glorious music to be offered by the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. In addition to lending their voices in weekly service at the Cathedral of All Saints, additional offerings include: Advent Procession on November 29, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on December 20, Duruflé Requiem and Four Motets with Albany Pro Musica on January 31, and two performances of Handel’s Messiah as part of the Spring Benefit Concert Series on May 15 and May 16.
The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys is thus as relevant today as it was over a century ago when it quietly began in the dusty machine shed of Bishop Doane’s newly born cathedral. On behalf of The Friends of the Choir, I hope that you will join us in supporting this life-changing program. I invite you to join me in making a tax-deductible contribution to The Friends of the Choir. Please also be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so that we may keep you updated on news and events involving the Friends and the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. Your support is sincerely appreciated
Kindest regards,
Andrew B. Howard, President

St. John’s college Choir, A Chorister’s Perspective

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:08:18 -0400

by Reece James Klein, Cathedral Chorister
I went to New Haven this Monday, March 23, to see the St. John's College Choir at Christ Church. I thought the men were great, but the trebles seemed a little weak at times. I had the best pizza ever ... HA! I saw a lot of neat buildings and Mr. Bynum asked me, “can you tell which buildings are new and which are old?” I told him, “not at all they look the same!” The church was beautiful, and I had great seats right in front. I really loved the trip, and the car ride was fun even though it was long.

Choristers travel to New Haven to hear concert

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:19:15 -0400

With the cost of a ticket to London’s Heathrow Airport topping out at $700 for coach class, several members of The Cathedral Choirs traveled to New Haven, CT to hear a concert by The St. John’s College Choir, one of the world’s top collegiate ensembles. Choristers Tucker Besch and Reece Klein enjoyed their front row seats for the seventy-five minute performance of English choral music in the stunning surrounding of Christ Church. The program was a chronological tour of Cathedral music beginning with Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices. The second part featured a verse anthem by Pelham Humphrey and Purcell’s stirring setting of Hear my prayer. Zadok the Priest closed the second part, much to the amusement of our boys who noted the taboo of hearing Hallelujah, Amen!’ in Lent! The third portion of the program began with a new piece by James MacMillan appropriately titled A New Song. Howells’ famous setting of the Evening Canticles for Gloucester Cathedral were spectacularly offered as the Antiphon from Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs put us, a bit prematurely, in an Easter mood. Two encores, Parson’s Ave Maria and Surfin’ USA (sung by The Gents) provided the insatiable audience with a fun finale to a wonderful program.
Traveling in several cars, our group assembled in the Nave along with many familiar faces. Tucker recognized Andrew Sheranian, Organist and Choirmaster of Christ’s Church Rye, from the Montreal Boys Choir Course. We were pleased to see some of our friends from Trinity Church New Haven whose excellent choir had joined us last season for the Albany Choral Festival. We enjoyed a reunion with former Cathedralite Nancy Lamberson, who relocated to Connecticut last autumn, and were excited to see Vaughn Mauren, a former Cathedral chorister pursuing his Master’s degree in organ at Yale’s renowned Institute of Sacred Music.
Albany’s proximity to New England and New York City affords us a wealth of cultural opportunities. Thanks to the efforts of our drivers and some very understanding parents, two of our lucky choristers were given a chance to hear one of England’s finest choirs without presenting their passports. I’m grateful to our adults who made this trip possible and to Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music who offered this performance to the public free of charge.

Former chorister holds court

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:25:08 -0400

HILTON HEAD, SC - Freshman Peter Dumas (Albany, NY) scored a three-set victory at the number five singles spot to seal a 5-4 win for Hartwick College's men's tennis team over Elmhurst College on Sunday in the opening dual match of the season for the Hawks. With the score deadlocked at 4-4, Dumas, playing in his first collegiate match, outlasted Blue Jay Justin Guenther 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to put the Hawks in the win column.
Singles
1. Peter Dumas (HC) def. Justin Guenther (ELM) 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
Peter Dumas, the youngest of the Dumas family legacy, graduated from the choir in 2008 following ten years of membership in The Choir of Men and Boys (nine of those as a treble!).