Choral music has been a part of worship at Christ Church since its earliest days, when a small choir of ladies and gentlemen provided music. In 1873 a boy’s choir was formed, to which men were added a few years later, and by the 1880s the principal chorus of the church had evolved into a men and boy’s choir of over 30 voices. They gained considerable renown locally and throughout the region.
During the 1890s, however, unruly behavior among the boys had become an issue, and Mrs. Emma Dexter of Trinity Church Wall Street was hired both as soloist and choir supervisor. Possibly, the rector and wardens hoped a strong maternal presence among the boys would improve their behavior. It didn’t, unfortunately, and the men and boy’s choir was temporarily suspended.
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| Christ Church Men & Boy's Choir and Clergy on Memorial Day, 1905. |
In 1902 a new organist-choirmaster revived the men and boy’s choir and formed a girl’s choir. Both groups remained until after World War II, when they were replaced by the present adult and junior choirs. Following a long period of inactivity, the children’s choir was reinstated in 2007 under the direction of Mrs. Beth Johanning-Hayes (see below).
Today the adult choir consists of approximately 20 voices covering soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts. Included in the choir are three section leader-soloists. The choir sings weekly at each Sunday service and on special occasions, rehearsing before and after the service. Repertoire covers periods from the Renaissance to the present. Several choir members originally sang in the junior choir, and some of the more recent members are new to the church. Together, their skills and consistent dedication make a notable contribution to the musical life of Christ Church.
Timeline of Organist-Choirmasters at Christ Church:
| 1849-1868 |
unknown |
| 1868-1873 |
Richard Whittemore |
| 1873-1888 |
Joseph H. Moore |
| 1888-1890 |
Sheldon Ball |
| 1890-1892 |
Grant Simonson |
| 1892-1893 |
William Hopkins/Emma Dexter |
| 1893-1894 |
Charles Jerome Coleman; Henry Taylor |
| 1894-1902 |
Oscar Elmore |
| 1902-1925 |
Jack Mundy |
| 1925-1926 |
Chris Edgerton (Mundy’s nephew) |
| 1926-1942 |
Kenneth Winter |
| 1942-1969 |
Jack Bainbridge (Ronald Cross 1969-1970) |
| 1975-1998 |
Richard Maren (Jan Meyel, choir director only 1977-1979) |
| 1998-1998 |
Dan Fannon |
| 1999- |
Thomas Sarff
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| Christ Church Choir and Clergy, Mother's Day, 2007. |
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The Christ Church Children’s Choir is a choir for all interested children aged 4 and older. This year the choir is scheduled to sing October 5th, Nov. 1st for All Saints Sunday, and Dec. 13th and 24th for the Christmas Pageant and Christmas Eve Family Service.