Saint Thomas Girl Chorister Course 2008

Church rehearsals and Evensong

2008-08-05T09:56:00.001-07:00

The Evensongs at St. Thomas are amazing. Chanting the Psalms is very relaxing, especially hearing the echoes throughout the building. Merely speaking them in monotone has virtually no meaning- Singing makes them personal. The infamous “Mag and Nunc” of each evensong is always unique and a joy to sing in such a remarkable space. The particular setting we sang had phenomenal soprano lines that let our sound soar through the church, and echo back to us. Just as good were the powerful chords we sang which were so uplifting, and the ethereal chords that gave the place a mysterious feel. Of course, as singers, we all love singing for an entire service! However, you do find pleasure in listening to it- the music speaks to the congregation in a different way than the lessons or the sermon. It can put someone into the “other realm,” which is why people like church music. We look forward to hearing the recording!

- Jane and Beth

Thursday Evensong was sung at 5:30
After waking up that morning bright and early
To walk,run, and play ultimate frisbee in central park where the mud made my shoes dirty

A shower and a hearty breakfast began the day
So we could get through theintense rehearsals on the way
But we always had breaks in between to talk and play

Dressed for the Lord we walked to the church
Lindsey and Sarah had solos, but only the cantors verse
Parents and family members watched, prayed, and heard
Our singing so excellent, Ms. MacDonald couldnt even say a word

Back home for skit practice, which was an hour of agony
But thank God caramel popcorn sent me to bed happily

- Beatrice

Sweetly singing our sonorous songs,
Like triumphant trumpets and gargantuan gongs.
Our songs of praise surely ring
throughout the church, to Jesus Christ, our King.
We never thought our words could mean so much,
And that we could leave people feeling so touched.
Like the rhythm of my heartbeat, always in control,
Music is what makes up the elements of my soul.
I live it, I breathe it, I sing it in my sleep,
so that even when I’m old, that beauty I’ll always keep.
And being at this school, I’m growing more advanced,
like learning a new language or even a new dance.
So I ask that you will listen to the personal song inside
of all who you encounter…it’s their belief, their pride.
- Maura

Thursday’s evensong went very well. We improved on some of the things we struggled with on Tuesday such as projection and shaping consonants. Evensong has so far been a very cleansing and calming time because all the days before evensong we as a choir are practicing and rehearsing our music nonstop. Sometimes we do not sing through a song all the way through, so we do not get to hear the finished product until we sing in the church in front of a congregation. That makes the performance so special to me because our hard work is shown through what we do at evensong.

- Amanda

On Thursday, July 31, we had our last evensong at St. Thomas. It was enjoyable as always, but a little bit sad as well … I’d grown so fond of the music and the whole evensong experience. I’d have to say that thus far, evensong has been the best part of this camp for me. It’s quiet and soothing, and emphasizes the peaceful nature of prayer. More than that, though, it’s nice to play a part, however small, in such a beautiful service. Singing in a choir at St. Thomas Church (!!!) is an absolutely wonderful experience, and it made me realize just how lucky I am to be involved in such a group. I didn’t want to leave. But leave we did, returning to the school for meditation exercises in the gym. This was a bit more complicated than evensong – sitting in one place for so long is MUCH more challenging than you’d think! It worked out pretty well, though, and we concluded with cookies and popcorn before heading off to bed.

- Angharad

This being my third and final year here at St. Thomas, I believe that the friends everyone and I make are definitely the best part about the trip. Sure, the Broadway show is always incredible, the food is always spectacular, the music is beautiful, and the activities are well planned. But, what would all of this fun be without people to share it with? No fun whatsoever. That is why I am grateful to be living and making friends with all of the girls in the course this year. We spend every waking moment together. All through meals, rehearsals, and readying ourselves, we have people to get through it with. All of these fantastic people make it easy for me, as well as others, to cope in a new environment without our families. At times we may get homesick, but the singers are always there for us. Through good times and bad, we sing.

- Katie

Awards, Skits and our Last Supper!

2008-08-05T08:13:00.002-07:00

Beatrice, Marcus and Esther

The Staff

Susan and Fiona

The best desert ever!

Floor 7 performing Mamma Mia

Floor six skit, spoof of 'Memories'

Beautiful!

'Girls just wanna have fun'

Floor five skit

Award Ceremony in the library

Hannah, Liz and Ana

Angharad, 'Nigel' and Anna!

Lindsey, Elspeth and Beth

Krystal enjoying dinner!

Jane giving the course a two thumbs up!

Caroline and Lindsey

Lauren receiving 'The Carrie Fisher Award for fantastic hair '

Amanda looking radiant in purple!

Enjoying drinks and hors d'oeuvres in the library

Kaethe, winner of 'The CCTV Award for keeping an eye on the conductor '

Caitlin, winner of 'The T. S. Eliot Award for literary excellence '

Abigail and Danny modeling their 'His and Hers matching St. Thomas Fleece Jackets!'

Day #8 - Saturday

2008-08-02T10:12:00.001-07:00

Hanging out in the library

Capture the flag

Discussing tactics

Hannah making a run for it!

Another delicious feast prepared by Heidi!

Thanks for the pencils Mrs. Parkinson-Tucker!

Yoga/ meditation

2008-08-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

Silence.
The steady hum of the air conditioning fills the room, reverberating off the walls, mats, and human bodies.
Then the hum of a mechanic device being powered up, with an interrupting click.
Slowly, slowly, a man’s voice fills the room, but as a whisper,
Making me zone in silence even more.
“Breathe. Breathe,” he says.
My breathing fills my mind, and I feel connected a bit more with my body and spirit.
“Picture a candle.”
A small flame appears and then a small white candle, illuminated by the light.
“Picture a door in the flame and open it with your heart.”
A small wood door appears and I will my heart to open it.
On the other side I see beauty.
Beauty unknown to me like other beauty.
Lost loved ones clothed in white, loved ones known and unknown to me.
As quickly as they came, they were gone, and I found myself gazing at the single flame again.
Almost in a slight panic I tried opening the door again with my heart, but with help from my mind, it opened only a crack, and then shut.
I couldn’t open it again.
The other side lost to me forever.
Those thoughts were soothed by one single thought.
“Again. Again tomorrow. It’s a new day.”
And so that beauty I will see again. Another time. But again.
- Kelsey

The drone of the voice on the laptop is soothing, almost hypnotic as we sit in a large room. The voice of the unknown man on the laptop is calming and comforting, as he mentally leads us into our subconscious. He talks on and on about how our hectic lives cover up our true selves, and under a materialistic being is the person whom you really are. Our eyes are shut in anticipation, as we savor his every word. His descriptive words of your “inner heaven” make you feel as if he has been there and experienced all he talks about first hand. All of a sudden his words pull you back into reality and he stops talking all together. Our eyes flicker open and the light is turned back on.

- Caitlin

Yesterday, the whole choir was exhausted from our 110% effort in Evensong. We didn't have rehearsal, and we decided that Compline would just be overdoing it in the singing factor. So instead of the chapel, we met in the mat room of the mezzanine level. Mrs. Beine turned on a "yogatation" (yoga + meditation= yogatation) track from her laptop. At first, the Australian narrator was cheesy enough to set us off into fits of giggles and suppressed snorts. But eventually, we either really got into it or started to fall asleep.

Some people were in standard meditation formation; crossed legs, straight back and palms resting on the knees. Some of us on the other hand, decided on a less conventional position. Eliza was splayed out on the floor, Esther and I had our legs pulled up and our heads in our laps, and some were sitting back to back. But at the end, all of us had experienced some sort of meditation because we were mellow and peaceful… until we got upstairs. Snack was cookies and some caramel corn from Heidi. After some "intense foosball" and lounging though, we all slumped upstairs and drifted into sleep.

- Anna

As we all embraced the silence of the room our legs crossed and hands on our knees Mrs. Beien clicks a button on her computer and our meditation lesson began. We learned the 7 most important things to remember while in a yoga lesson. It was a quiet and peaceful night and we all enjoyed finding our real selves.

~ Gabby

The yoga and meditation session was the best way to relax after a long day. We listened to a podcast that instructed the session. We sat in a big room and spread mats all over the floor. We then turned off the lights and sat cross-legged on the floor with our backs straight. The podcast included the different elements of meditation, instructions on the best way to relax, and soothing music. I learned that if you place your palms face up on your knees you receive energy, and if they face down you calm your energy level down. The yoga and meditation was really relaxing and I am really glad that I did it.

- Andie

Yesterday, the whole choir was exhausted from our 110% effort in Evensong. We didn't have rehearsal, and we decided that Compline would just be overdoing it in the singing factor. So instead of the chapel, we met in the mat room of the mezzanine level. Mrs. Beien turned on a "yogatation" (yoga + meditation= yogatation) track from her laptop. At first, the Australian narrator was cheesy enough to set us off into fits of giggles and suppressed snorts. But eventually, we either really got into it or started to fall asleep.

- Anna

Day #7 - Friday

2008-08-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

At the end of each meal, announcements are made and the schedule reviewed. On Friday night, we noted that the next day would be our last full day together – a stunned silence fell on the room. How could it be Saturday already?

The day is filled with contrasts: two rehearsals in school and one at the church; individual vocal lessons continue as we pack our bags; skits for the closing banquet tonight receive fine tuning; girls dash through the halls with rain driving our final House Games indoors, a game of Capture the Flag covers several floors of the Choir School. Heidi’s picnic lunch tastes delicious wherever we are!

Yesterday and today, three girls have thanked adults for helping them through home-sickness; they are so glad that they persevered. In coming years, they will know even more the long-term benefits of meeting a challenge – one they didn’t think they could do. This course was founded and continues to give young women a similar opportunity that young boys have in the Choir School. They are girls who are intelligent, talented, secure, and ready to accept the responsibility of a course such as this. They find that they can solve problems with each other; ask caring adults to help with their needs; and learn about living and working with other people. They learn to see these challenges and responsibilities through the eyes of their peers. As the girls have prepared music for the glory of God, sung in this beautiful space which has such an historic association with excellence in liturgical music, they have accomplished much more which will stay with them through their lives.

The staff gathered last night and we spoke of each girl – her gifts and the ways in which she has found, used and shared them this week. We are very thankful to the families who have allowed them to be with us this week; we woke each day mindful of the trust placed in us. To the Choir Directors who prepared them, know how much we appreciate your efforts. Next year, we will gather again on Saturday, July 25, 2009, and we hope you will be with us.

- Ruth Cobb, Course Director

I cannot believe that it is already Friday. The week seemed like it was going by very slow, but now it feels like it has gone by really fast. We have done so much though. Yesterday we had our second evensong. It felt like it went very smoothly, compared to Tuesday. We were all used to what was supposed to happen, so it went very well. The singing was also great! I really liked the music that we sang. On Wednesday we went to see Mary Poppins. It was very exciting. The sets were amazing. I think the best scene was when they were dancing on the rooftops. Also it was pretty awesome when Mary Poppins flew into the audience. We have been playing a lot of ultimate frisbee. In the morning on Thursday, we all went to the park to play two big games of ultimate frisbee. They were wicked fun! Unfortunately though, my team lost. But it was close. This morning we went to the top of the rock. I got some pretty nifty pictures! We all wore our matching St. Thomas t-shirts. It was very touristy. The view was amazing. After that we split up into groups so we could do a little shopping. You can't come to NYC without going shopping! We went to some street venders, and lots of us bought sweet aviator sunglasses. We have been walking around the city so much that I'm really getting used to it. I don't want to go home! I love the city! We have been working intensely on our skits. I play the macho guy, and I have two absolutely, amazing lines. Unfortunately I don't get to dance much, but I do join in with the singing. We picked two songs from Mamma Mia. Now all we have is the Sunday service.
- Esther

This morning we were able to wake up late (7:30) for breakfast. We walked down to Rockefeller Center in the middle of the city. We passed Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Modern Art on the Way. On the way back, we split up into groups—window shopping on Fifth Avenue, shopping along Rockefeller Center, or shopping at vendors along the street. Kelsey, Anna, Esther, and 19 other girls went vendor shopping, and stopped at 6 or 7 vendors on our way back to the choir school. For lunch, since it’s Ms. Sullivan’s un-birthday, Heidi made tiramisu. Joyous, as always.
- Lindsey

It is hard to believe that this week has gone by so fast but we went on another outing on Friday. We went to the “top of the rock” or in other words we went to the top of Rockefeller Center. It was amazing. From the top of the building you can see for a really good distance. Today we found the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the George Washington Bridge. We needed binoculars to actually see those places, but it was really great to find some of our nation’s landmarks. While at the top of the rock we took a picture and sang “Lift thine eyes”.

- Susy

This morning we went to “Top of the Rock” at Rockefeller Center. The views were absolutely amazing. If you looked closely, you could even see the Statue of Liberty, and if you looked through the money-operated telescopes, you could see the flag on Ellis Island waving in the brisk morning breeze. We had the perfect view of the Empire state building and could even see the blinking red light on it through the telescopes. We took a big group picture and then spontaneously began to sing “Lift Thine Eyes”, one of our songs from the Tuesday service. People started to watch and one woman even asked if we came there every day! Before we left we all went into the gift shops, where I spent 57 dollars in souvenirs for my family. Then we split up to go different routes back to the school. I went with the group that explored the plaza, where we met up with Ms. Rhodes and then headed home.

- Lindsey

Last night sang another Evensong, which was pretty awesome too! Now we’ve just got to practice for Sunday, our last service. I’m excited for that! I was really happy to have my water bottle, thanks mom, by the way! When we returned we had some great games in the gym and went to a meditation session, which was also pretty awesome. Then we had a late-night snack of caramel popcorn and cookies, and went to bed. This morning we went to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, and that was amazing! I took about three hundred pictures of everything, and we had a group picture at the very top, while singing Lift Thine Eyes, and a lot of people stopped to listen. That was pretty cool! On our way back to the choir school we went shopping at street vendors, but they didn’t have any of the things I wanted, since we only went to two different ones so that we could be back at the choir school on time. A bunch of people bought sunglasses, but I wanted the aviators with very colorful rims and colored bars on them (some people got them on the way to Mary Poppins, but I didn’t see any), and there wasn’t any at the ones we went to.
- Emma

So far this week has been very enjoyable. I have been able to learn a lot of new things and meet a lot of new friends. Along with being in the chorus I have been able to experience many things in the City of New York. Some of these things include sightseeing in the Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center, shopping on the streets at the vendors, and seeing the Broadway show Mary Poppins. The Top of the Rock was unbelievable and I was so surprised at the remarkable view. I am thankful that I was able to have that experience. Also walking around the city and visiting the street vendors was fun and I was able to make a real bargain with the vendor and I felt like a true New Yorker haggling to get what I wanted. I purchased a pair of bright purple Ray Bans and brown aviator sunglasses. One of my favorite things this week was clearly the Broadway show. Mary Poppins was an amazing musical. The music was remarkable, but the set was indescribable. I was not expecting everything to be so good, but the show was so much more then I expected. The services that we have been singing have been really fun and rewarding. Evensong has many songs and we sing it in the evening. It is a very good way to pray and help people become closer to god. I am excited to learn the music for Sunday’s service and perform that too.

- Hope

Today we went to the Top of the Rock. There are three different observation levels. The view is different from each one. There are so many people there with cameras finding the perfect shot of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and attempting to zoom in far enough to see the Statue of Liberty. It is so pretty there and the fantastic views are breath taking. From the highest level you can see all of Central park. I knew it was big, but no that big. You can see everyone walking along the streets and how many taxi cabs there really are. On the highest level we took a group picture and we all started to sing Lift Thine Eyes and it sounded really good. I think it is nice when people ask “Can you take our picture with the Empire State Building in the background.” Most of then are tourist how ask but it is nice knowing that people enjoy the beauty of the city. I had been to the Top of the Rock before but it is always nice to go with friends rather then our family, it is a whole different experience. After that we went all the way down we split up into groups on where we wanted to go shopping. Some people went to the street vendors. 5^th Avenue, or go to Rockefeller Centre. I chose to go to 5^th Ave. there were only six of us and we went into Anthropology and got a snack (Starbucks Coffee). When we had realized we were out of time we headed back to the school. When we go here we got to have a snack then our classes. Once they were over all of us had lunch some personal time then rehearsal.

- Amanda S.

Once we got on top of the Rock, we were able to climb stairs to two more floors. The view was literally breathtaking (especially because the air was a bit thinner). I could see what seemed like all of Manhattan, and parts of Brooklyn, and Staten Island. I saw the Chrysler Building, and the Empire State Building (I got those two confused at first), and I could see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Central Park looked huge! I can’t imagine how big it is, but when you are on top of the rock, it is a bit easier to see.

There was a nice breeze since we were so high up, and all of the little people on the sidewalks below looked like people from the game of Life. Being the nice girl choristers that we are, we gathered up for a group picture, and sang “Lift Thine Eyes” for the tourists.

Afterwards, we walked home and bought various sunglasses, sodas, or bags from street vendors, and got home in time for a skit practice and lunch. What a fun day!

- Kaethe

Today is Friday and we went to the top of Rock it was so COOL! It had revolving doors (I love revolving doors) they had Crystal that were growing. In the elevator there was this presentation and the lights in the elevator went off and you could see the tip of the building. We were going so fast that it felt like we were going to crash. At the top you could see everything; you could see New York and New Jersey. I definitely can't wait to go there again.

- Krystal

The city of New York is as beautiful as it gets, from the bottom, that is. When you look from the top of the rock it is a whole new world. You can almost look down at things. Okay, and the elevator ride was pretty cool to! We went up to the 62^nd floor and looked out upon the beauty of NYC. We could actually almost see the Statue of liberty and it seemed as if I could pick up the empire state building with my pinkie finger. It was and amazing experience that I will never forget.

~Gabby

Exercise

2008-07-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

Every day, we take a trip to Central Park. We usually go to a patch on the grass and play games. We did something unusual today. We took a half hour walk around the park; climbing over catastrophic boulders and rocks, walking through bushes, and walking up and down massive hills. The last rock we were climbing was about twenty feet high and super slippery (did I also mention that it was extremely steep?) Crystal nearly fainted when she saw it. We also balanced on the street edges while we walked. I have to admit we were acting really crazy. Princess led the walk. By the way, it was almost like follow the leader J.

Yesterday, we played a game of ultimate Frisbee. This was probably the best game we have done so far because there weren't many people, and I just liked passing the Frisbee around. What made it interesting was that we got really competitive with each other. The most interesting thing that happened was that while Liz and I were trying to catch the Frisbee, I accidentally banged it into her head while I stubbed my fingers. Only about ten seconds later, Mr. Lennox took a wild throw towards the fence. The Frisbee bounced off of it and practically gave Mairead a concussion. Talk about bad luck!

- Lindsey

On Tuesday morning we went into Central Park bright and early. We did some stretches and then we split up into three groups. One group went running, another group went power – walking and the group that I was in went on an adventure walk with Princess. It was sort of like extreme follow the leader through bushes, over rocks and down steep slopes. We had to be alert and watch out for other people. There were many people walking their dogs, there were joggers and some of us were nearly run over by some reckless bikers!

- Lauren

Central Park- At camp we have classes and one of our classes are Gym. During this class our teacher Danny takes us to Central Park. There we do relay races, running, power walking, or even adventure walking. I did adventure walking today. I had a lot of fun with that we got to walk over the huge rocks in the park. It is always so nice to be able to see Central Park even though I live rather close to the city. This morning we all woke up and had a snack and went over to do some activates. This is one of my favorite things to do while at camp.

Compline

2008-07-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

A great aspect of choir camp is compline. Every evening at nine o’clock, we head up to the 14^th floor chapel. Luckily, we get to take the elevator, and don’t have to walk up all those flights of stairs! When we enter the chapel (which is quite small), we are silent. There is an opening sentence, and then we start singing various responses to what the cantor sings. All of the responses are in plainsong, and the sounds of everybody’s unison voice reverbs and echoes very nicely in the small chapel’s space. There are also prayers that our chaplain says. These prayers really make you think, because they have meaningful messages. For example, “Hide me under the shadow of thy wings” is a very peaceful thought to have at nine at night, right before bedtime. After we sing the collects, the anthem, and the hymn (more plainsong), we say a closing prayer and depart in silence. This is a very comforting and relaxing service.

- Kaethe

Rehearsals

2008-07-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

Rehearsal is always started with stretches and vocal exercises. We start by humming, lip buzzing, and singing extremely high notes- there is almost a competition between who can sing the highest note! Afterwards, we take out the upcoming music and work on the technicalities like diction and dynamics. Learning notes is expected to have been done before the course, so rehearsal is spent making the piece into something more meaningful. Often, the choirmaster will call on one person at a time to sing a line or a certain word. This helps us to realize that we can possibly be holding the choir back. After each rehearsal, we all know something that we hadn’t before. Additionally, the pieces of music improve steadily day by day. The goal is to go over sections one by one and quickly fix them. Then we never have to go over that section again except for when singing the whole piece. This helps us to break down the music so the pronunciation and expression of the emotions is at its best. Our choirmaster is phenomenal and really knows the pace and attitude that is right for working with a girls’ choir!
- Jane

Rehearsals are the main preparation that we do everyday that help get us ready to sing for a mass or even song. We usually have three rehearsals everyday for about an hour and fifteen minutes. They have a general time that they are at, but it changes according to the daily schedule. We usually practice different pieces during the day. I really feel like we have been rehearsing well, but every note has to be exactly correct for the entire piece to work. I love the different harmonies and the music is fun and interesting. Rehearsals are my favorite part of camp. - Andie

One of the best parts of the day is rehearsal. We have rehearsal after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although, sometimes the time changes. Mrs. MacDonald is our kind director. She’s so funny when she teaches us pronunciation. She has been a big help to us, and we look forward to the masses because we know we’re better prepared.
- Hannah & Caitlin

Day #4 - Tuesday

2008-07-31T08:48:00.001-07:00

The photographs below are from Mrs. MacDonald's award ceremony for the best hair-do's and donts for church!

After a good nights sleep I was kindly awoken by Sarah and got of my lazy bum and joined the rest of the course for a 20-minute or so run/walk/jog in Central Park. Since I took track, and more so that I needed to wake up, I thought getting back into the swing of things would be good for me, so I chose to go on the run around the Park. Let’s just say I’m still feeling it. But it was really great. Running with Danny and the other girls was real motivation and you’ll be proud mom that I kept up with the pack all the way! I attempted to sprint at the end of the run for some house points and found that I wasn’t as bad as I thought I was going to be. Between that and the stairs in this school, I’m going to be all muscle! But with the way I’m eating, the food might balance out all the exercise because Heidi’s cooking is I think, getting more superb with every meal she places in front of us.
- Kelsey

Today is our first chance to sing in the church. After all of our practicing, it will finally pay off. I can’t wait! In the beginning of the day we got the chance to rest up for the big night. There was a lot of personal time where we could get ready for the service. We even got a nap in. There was even a of last minute practice with Mrs. McDonald. Now we know that our voices are ready and soon we will be off to church.

- Liz

Blogging class!

Day #5 - Wednesday

2008-07-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry for missing the blog today. Fiona, our blog-meister is down because of knee surgery. Please say a prayer for her perfect recovery.

Day #6 - Thursday

2008-07-31T06:55:00.000-07:00

These photos are from morning exercise during sunrise in Central Park.

This course is filled with challenges right from the first day. The good news is that by working together, we learn that we are able to earn success upon success. Challenging repertoire makes inspiring liturgy. Strangers turn into friends. Difficult situations lead to fresh insights and personal growth. Challenging moments are balanced by relaxed meal times (with food any parent would be proud to serve their family), non-threatening physical activities, high quality entertainment (Mary Poppins had magic) and time to just be . Our girls are great great great.

- Deborah Beien

Today, after breakfast, lunch, and a couple of rehearsals, we went to see Mary Poppins. It was pretty hectic, trying to keep up with our leaders in Times Square, and on Broadway Ave. It was very interesting to see the huge television screens and the big flashing lights and signs.

The actual show was pretty fun, with lots of singing and dancing (duh, it’s a musical), and I recognized songs from the movie. It was my first Broadway show in New York City, and I enjoyed the experience.

After a long walk home, we had a snack in the recreation room, where we were told that we were switching rooms, in order to get to know girls from other floors. This was sort of a big hassle, trying to move our suitcases and pack very quickly to our new rooms. Luckily, I moved down a floor, so now I don’t have to climb as many stairs. Also, we had the opportunity to retrieve our cell phones from the office, and call home. This was very fun for me to check my text my messages and call my parents.

After dinner (which, again, was delicious; thanks Heidi!), we had a rehearsal, and went upstairs for compline. Then, we went to our new rooms, and went to bed at 10:15, after setting our alarm clocks for bright and early at 7 o’clock, for our morning exercise.

- Kaethe

Day #3 - Monday

2008-07-28T17:39:00.001-07:00

Anna and Liz trying not to be late

Princess being Princess!

Lined up for lunch

We eat healthy here at the St. Thomas Girls Course

Eating great food

Ana enjoying lunch

Amanda and Andie waiting for their voice lesson

Day #2 - Sunday

2008-07-27T14:08:00.001-07:00

From today we have definitely learned or remembered the tight-knit schedule. All 38 of us awoke at 7:00 a.m. this morning to ready ourselves for breakfast. We dined at 7:30 and felt almost as royalty with the top-knotch food prepared by Heidi and others. An hour long personal time block began immediately after. The entire sleu of us were extremely excited for a little R&R, but not for the trek up to the 5^th, 6^th, or 7^th floor. Following a quick change of clothing, we went to the 11:00 a.m. mass at Saint Thomas to hear the Edinburgh choir from Scotland sing. They were magnificent. Their sound was clear and concise and they filled the whole church with beauty. Rehearsal was next for every one of us. First, we warmed up our voices in a fun way by making trilling sounds and saying fun phrases such as ‘ I Love to Wear G old ‘ and ‘ I Dig Up the Land ‘. Then, we head underway with intense and effective training. Basically what we did was run through whatever Ms. Macdonald asked then repeated certain sections until we had learned our mistakes and sung in an English accent instead of saying “ Gawd”. The hour and 15 minutes ran by so quickly that by no time at all we are reunited in the Rec Room for a short snack or personal time. Another educated rehearsal followed that and when it was finished, we ate dinner. For our dinner routine, we stood in front of our chairs whilst Mr. Lennox said grace. After 38+ Amens, the party sat down and began to chow. Special jobs are assigned to each member of the table. For example, the adult of the table passes out plates, a student picks up dirty dishes and puts them inside the brown bin, another student gets food plates from the kitchen, and a final student brings the dirty food plates back into the kitchen. When we are finished and full, we pray once again and depart to repose in our dormitories. After our break, we rehearse again and then take the elevator ( don’t worry, not all of us in one run ) up to the chapel on the 14^th floor for an evening prayer, Compline. By the time we finish, it is 9:30. How the time flies when you are jammed packed with activities! After we ready ourselves for sleep, we lie in our beds while being quiet. The lights turn out at 10:30 and we close our eyes while trying to get all of the mass music out of our heads.
- Katie

As I was gently awoken by Sarah my AMAZING leader for the Sunday morning service at St. Thomas I almost feel off my top bunk! I came down just fine but it was a scary moment! I soon found myself enjoying my breakfast with the girls I just met and was able to have a conversation without the awkward pauses of people who just met. It was actually really cool how we all just clicked! I don’t think there was a time where there was nothing to talk about. We all got along just fine and didn’t have any problems. After the 11am service and listening to the St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir from Scotland sing we were on our way back to the school. Besides singing here we also play games and have some competitions. As the 7^th Floor dominated during the day we fell a few points behind but we are a close 2^nd
.- Erica

Our first full day, Sunday, we attended church and enjoyed the St. Mary’s Cathedral choir from Scotland sing for the congregation. They were simply wonderful to listen to. The group was made up of many young girls and boys and a number of men and some women. This was the first group to integrate boys and girls into one treble line in the late 70ʼs. The method creates a beautiful and memorable, youthful sound from the treble line. After the church service we then practice the procession we were to follow for entering the church on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday when we perform evensong. I had trouble making right angle corners when entering and leaving the alter, but eventually got the gist of it. So there will be no disgraceful procession mistakes from me. After church we began our rehearsals for the day. Arriving late the previous day and having only time to sleep, I had missed the first two rehearsals. Once the choir began to harmonize together in the first song, Magnificat, I knew that this was going to be amazing. For sure this is a legit group of girls and I am privileged to be able to get together with them and sing these beautiful songs. Mrs. McDonald is the conductor and she means business. For me it is so refreshing to work with someone who is truly passionate about their work and knows it inside and out. When working with her I feel like I’m in good hands because I am learning so much more than I have learned in three years of choir with my school. I am fully appreciative of her presence here.
- Amanda

On Sunday Gabi woke me up to take my shower. Gabi has an alarm clock and then wakes me up so we can each go take a shower (there are two showers) then each of us goes and wakes up the two next people. After breakfast we had to go get ready for Church. The Choir singing at the Church was a boys and girls choir from Scotland. They sounded wonderful. After that it was a normal day.
- Hannah

We went to a mass this morning at 11:00 at St. Thomas. A choir from Scotland was singing- amazing. A week from today we will be up there singing mass. Then, after lunch, we went to Central Park for some relay race games; a little healthy competition. ;) We had a few more rehearsals that day, then dinner. Thanks, Mom, for your genetic gift of balance. I dropped about four or five plates on my way to the kitchen. I felt like I was at a Greek wedding… Wopah!
- Lindsey

We got up fairly early and had a great breakfast. We had a rehearsal in the morning and then went to church, and there was a terrific choir from Scotland that sang. It was a great service! We went to Central Park for sports, but didn’t stay for too long, since it was raining. We still had a terrific time, though! We had three rehearsals total, and we worked really hard. Rehearsals are fun, and the director is awesome, but I miss everyone at Very Merry a lot! And by the way, if anybody who’s reading this is going to see Mulan this week, could you tell them that I miss ALL OF THEM like crazy please?! (You can give some of them the blog address too!!) And I’m looking over my lines and my music every single day so I don’t forget!!
- Emma

Between Sunday and Monday, we have continually done different things. Today we are starting classes like music theory, journal, gym, and vocal and Sunday we got to go to a church service at St. Thomas so that we could see what their services are like and what we, generally, would be doing during that service. Since Tuesday is evensong, we practiced processing and recessing (going in and out of the church) after the service so that we knew what we had to do beforehand. These past three days have been great and I have a feeling that they are going to get even better.
- Susy

Day 2 began at 7:00 a.m. for the girls, but 6:50 a.m. for my roommate and co-leader Beatrice, for we had to wake all the girls up and get them out of bed before breakfast. Thankfully, Beatrice and I are the floor-leaders for the 7^th floor, which consists of 14 year olds and up, and most of them were awake before they even were required to be. Leaving Beatrice with the girls, I myself headed down the six lovely flights of stairs to attend a leader meeting. At the meeting with Ms. Byon we were given the day’s schedules, which I posted before breakfast (going back up the six flights of stairs) on the bathroom door, then returning downstairs for a delicious breakfast. Following breakfast was another hour-long rehearsal, and after rehearsal came church. We lined up in the “croc” (so King’s College. I love it!!!) inside the choirschool, with each pair of floor leaders heading their floor’s “croc.” Then we all merged into one long crocodile and walked in two lines to St. Thomas’ Church. The choir of St. Mary’s, Edinburgh, sang Gabriel Jackson’s Edinburgh Service and some very well done Palestrina, which I greatly enjoyed. No less impressive was Howell’s Like as the Hart. After the service, we practiced some of the general motions for evensong in the choir stalls: bowing, processing, etc. The rest of the day proceeded normally: lunch, a “walk” which was more of a “run” in Central Park, another rehearsal, dinner (and a pretty awesome “choir-approved” hair do’s and don’t’s involving a clown wig), another rehearsal, and Compline. Beatrice, Anna, Angharad, and I cantored. (I perhaps should explain here that Compline takes place on the 14^th floor of the choir school in a candlelit room about the size of Beatrice and my in-suite bathroom. Its really personal and snug!) After Compline came bed.
- Sarah

Sunday began with breakfast tacos and rehearsal again. We dressed for church and headed across Manhattan for Eucharist at St. Thomas. The choir of St. Mary’s church in Edinburgh sung the mass – both boys and girls were included in the treble lines. I’d been to St. Thomas once before, but I’d completely forgotten just how beautiful a church it is. Everything from the architecture to the music to the vast size – quite simply, it’s absolutely breathtaking.After Mass we returned to the school for lunch and more rehearsal. I began to wish I’d savored the elevator ride I took more – walking up and down seven flights of stairs is no picnic! Lunch was followed by some personal time, discussion of the end-of-week skits, and continued rehearsal. Apparently I have a lot to learn about choral music. The practice sessions are strenuous, but at the same time it’s almost exhilarating. Although we all come from different parts of the country, everyone here has a common love of church music, and I think that more than anything else is what brings us together. We had some relay races in Central Park, dinner, more rehearsal, and compline again. It provides a lovely time to center yourself and calm your thoughts before bedtime.
- Angharad

This morning we got up, had breakfast and a rehearsal, and went to church. For many girls, it was their first time seeing St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church. It is very large in size and the echo is fantastic. I cannot wait to sing at the Evensong on Tuesday night to h ear ourselves singing together! A unique choir from St. Mary’s Cathedral in Scotland sang the mass. They were incredible. I couldn’t believe the pureness of the tones from such young children. After mass, we practiced processing up and down the aisles. When we got back, we ate lunch and had rehearsal. We went to Central Park for relays and other games; it started to thunder and lightning, but the rain surely didn’t dampen our spirits! Compline before bed is beautiful. We sing in the chapel on the 14^th floor. It really settles me for a peaceful sleep.
- Maura

We awoke Sunday morning to light coming in through the blinds and a promise of a good breakfast from Heidi. We ate, and then headed for the first of our rehearsals for the day. At 10:15, we headed down to the church- on foot. The walk was refreshing and the sights of the city are always something to behold. When we got to the church, we entered through a side door. I didn’t realize it was a side door, and thought that the church should’ve had a grander entrance. As it turns out, the inside was so magnificent, it needed no introduction. The huge cross in the center of a wall of statues was so beautiful, it outshined most of the pieces in the Louvre. Even more joyous than the sight of the church, was the music that fell upon it the moment the organ started to play. The combination of the ever-beautiful sound of a pipe organ, and the voices of the professional choir that had come all the way from Scotland to visit, was enough to make anyone wish that the singing would never end, and that the organist’s fingers would never tire.

When we got back, we changed as fast as possible, and headed out for Gym in central park. We could hear thunder as we went, but the promise of rain was far away, and the mist that came before it made the day cooler and even more enjoyable.

- Lindsey P.

Church happened. I was there. A choir from Scotland sang. They were marvelous. We practiced the procession and recession from the service. We also went to Central Park today for some relays and other rather amusing activities. I ate more good food. I like rehearsal a lot. It is quite a challenge to try and combine the voices of a bunch of people who mostly do not know each other and create a unified, beautiful choral sound.
- Eliza

We had rehearsal at 9 in the morning, then we went to church. There was an amazing choir from Edinburgh, Scotland. The trebles were magnificent and the first girl on Dec was brilliant. After the service we had a snack, and then went back into the church to practice the procession in and out for evensong (in the end we did the whole procession 5 times until everyone had it perfectly). We walked back to the school in to straight lines (like Madeline!) and had lunch. Then team relay games in the park with Danny (My team won one of them!) followed by rehearsal. Dinner was amazing, followed by rehearsal and compline. Bedtime was at 10.

- Beth

Wake up was at 7:00 this morning and after breakfast; we rehearsed and went to church in three connected crocs. A croc the expression used at St. Thomas for how to walk in New York City. It is really important for us to stay in pairs so that we stay together to hear directions and don’t get lost. At church, a choir from St. Mary’s in Scotland sang at the holy Eucharist. They truly sounded like angels even though they were mixed voices of men, boys, and girls. They are the only choir school in the United Kingdom to teach both boys and girls. After church we practiced processing in and out of the pews and sang a few notes with Ms. MacDonald to make sure that our sound could fill the space.

We raced back to the church because Mr. Lennox our gym teacher and priest was planned to give 10 house points to whoever was dressed and ready for gym first. Unfortunately, Floor 7 didn’t win, but right now we’re in the lead!
- Beatrice

The second day, we were all “sleep walking” to breakfast, but that would soon change. We went to church, where a visiting choir sang; St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland. The hymns included a few favorites, such as “Be thou my Vision.” The music choice was phenomenal, which included a very interesting mass setting by a contemporary composer known as Gabriel Jackson. Influences from Middle Eastern, Greek Orthodox, and Renaissance music could be heard. They also sang a motet by Palestrina, which featured the pure, ethereal sound of the trebles. Afterwards, we practiced finding our seats in the choir stalls, along with processing in and out. This is not a simple as people think. Every turn must be done in a right angle in pairs, meaning that the outside person had to keep up with the inside partner and even swivel on their foot. Additionally, there must be a consistent and steady flow to it, which took several tries to even get close to! We also had our first gym class, which was loads of fun. We did a team relay, and everyone was so supportive. I never had that much fun in gym!
- Jane

On Sunday we woke up at 7:00. Breakfast was at 7:30. We had breakfast burritos. Heidi, the chef, and Ponce, her sui chef, are both amazing cooks. After breakfast, we went down into the gym for rehearsal, after changing our clothes for church. After rehearsal, we headed out onto the streets of Manhattan to church. There was a choir from Edinburgh, Scotland singing. They were amazing. After church, we headed back to the church for lunch, and another rehearsal. After our rehearsal, we had a snack and headed back out to Central Park for relay games. It started to rain, so we went back to the church for another dinner. After dinner we had one last rehearsal for the day, and headed back up to the 14^th floor for Compline. Luckily, we were allowed to take the elevator up from the gym to the Chapel for Compline, but we took the stairs down. After taking showers, we went to bed, and that was the end of day 2.
- Claire

On Sunday, after the first night at St.Thomas, we woke up for the first official day at the St. Thomas girl's choir course. After breakfast and a rehearsal, we all walked to the church for the Sunday service. There was an amazing choir from Scotland singing. The treble line was made up of young boys and girls. I loved getting to listen to them. Next Sunday it will be our turn! After the service we practiced some things for evensong. On our first outing to the park, we had a relay race between all the floors. The first relay we cam e in last, but only because we had the longest distance to run. But the second time when all the groups switched destinations, WE WON!!! We also got 20 points for our house. It started raining so after we took a couple of group pictures on the rock, we headed back to the school. After some more rehearsals, yummy meals, and compline, the 2nd day came to an end, and it was time for bed.
- Esther

For the first time I was able to see a real service at St. Thomas that was not sung by the choir that I was in. In previous years we never had this experience. We were able to listen to a choir from Scotland sing and it showed us the view of church from the opposite end. After church we were able to practice the procession in and out of the church and I was re-learning things that I remember so well from previous years. Once we got back to the school we spent time getting to know the staff better and we had more rehearsals. The rehearsals went by in a fun way, unlike what I had remembered from previous years. I no longer dreaded going to rehearsal and I could tell that myself, along with all of the other girls were learning a lot.

- Hope

Today is the first real day of camp! We got our seating for the cafeteria and my table has been really nice. Each floor is doing a skit, and I think that my floor’s is going to rock! We can’t tell anyone what we are doing until we perform them so, shh! We also earn points for our floor if we do good things like getting to bed on time. We also visited the church today for mass and practiced the processions in and out. It is getting a little bit difficult to deal with the time change between Chicago and here, but I am managing fine. I am really liking this camp so far and it might even get better.
- Andie

Our first full day of camp filled with singing and church and name games. First we went on an exciting trip through New York, full of people and smells, to get to church. Coming from North Carolina, it was the biggest church I have ever laid my eyes on. It was absolutely breathtaking. We listened to a mixed chorus which was just as beautiful as the church’s architecture. After church we practiced our turning on right angles and walking with a partner bit for evensong on Tuesday. We are definitely well-fed, with food found only on cruise ships, delectable and original every day. We had more rehearsals, then I traveled up on the seventh floor to drift into sleep to be woken up the next day at 7:30.
- Caroline

I got up at about 10 minuets late, realizing that my I-pod alarm clock didn’t work. Half asleep I sauntered into Hannah’s room and woke her up. We were the first to take showers. After breakfast we had a rehearsal and some personal time. All of us were cleaning our rooms because while we were at mass the “dorm inspection fairies” were visiting our dorm. After mass we went into the church and practiced processing out and in for the even song on Tuesday and Thursday with Ms. Mc Donald. (Our choirmaster) after that we came back and ate. Yummy!! After lunch we had some personal time. And later on we went to central park and played some games. After dinner we had a runway show of hair do’s and don’ts for church. It was really funny. After that we had another rehearsal and off to bed we went.
- Gabby

Breakfast is amazing! I don’t think even the best restaurants can even top Heidi’s cooking. Ask anyone around here and they’ll agree.

After we eat, we walk towards St. Thomas Church for mass. The church is so pretty and the visiting choir sounds angelic. After the mass we have a quick snack and then we practice procession.

Later in the day we play around Central Park. We do relay races and play on a playground. My floor came in 2^nd for both of the races, and we got 45 points for our house.

- Caitlin

Today we woke up very early (at 7), because we had to fit in a rehearsal and breakfast before church. Breakfast was amazing (of course!), and the rehearsal was again, very intense and interesting. I am learning new techniques every time we rehearse with our director! Later, at a quarter ‘til, we headed off to church at St. Thomas for an 11 o’clock morning Eucharist. There was a visiting choir from Scotland that sang very beautiful anthems by Howells and Palestrina, along with a great mass setting. After the service, we all practiced processing correctly and at a good pace for Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, when we have services at St. Thomas. We got back to the choir school and started planning our skits within our houses. Then, we took a walk to Central Park, where we ran relays, and climbed humongous rocks (Check out the pictures!). After two more rehearsals, the food still proved to be excellent, and we went to sleep after Compline.
- Kaethe

Sunday morning was a flurry of showers and grumbling teenagers being woken up “hours earlier than at home!” But we all managed to slump down to breakfast, where Heidi’s cooking woke us right up. Then we had an hour of free time which for me was mainly hugging and welcome-backs. J Rehearsal in the gym and then it was off to the church itself. The service was sung by a choir from Scotland. We were all blown away. When we got back, we got together with our other floor members and decided which song to sing for the talent show on Saturday. Our song is a secret (shhhh!) but I will say that the spin we took on it is a funny one.

Rehearsals so far have been exhilarating to say the least! Like I said earlier, our voices bounce all around the room. The music was fun to learn at home, but you just can’t compare singing in living room with three other girls to singing in a huge room with 35, split into three parts. The song that I like to sing the most is ‘Lift Thine Eyes’. Mrs. MacDonald had us stand anywhere in the gym, spread out, and surrounded by people singing a different part. It was so amazing to sing with so many other girls.

- Anna B.

On the second day, we had breakfast and another rehearsal and then headed of to 11 AM mass at St. Thomas’s. 11 AM! I’m so used to getting up at school time to make it to church at 9 back home. After church we changed and all headed out to Central Park were we had a few relay races to gain some house points. But alas the rain stopped us of our pleasures and we had to return to the School where we had our first skit practice! I still remember last years when my floor put a twist on “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. So you can imagine that I was excited for what we would do this year. So during the 7^th floor discussion, we decided on a 2 song medley of ABBA music, and we even started the idea of what we would do for the skit!!!
- Kelsey

On the second day, we woke up bright and early! I could barely make my way down the stairs I was so tired. We all lined up for breakfast which I knew was going to be good. My friend Hope recommended that we have breakfast tacos, which I was excited about. We said our prayers, sat down, and dug in. Later on we had some more practices with our director Mrs. McDonald who was there last year. She’s is amazing at making our choir sound great. After only three practices we sounded like professionals according to the other teachers. Between the practices we ate, slept, and socialized. Later on we sang compline, which is our nightly service before bed. Again, we all went to bed at ten and couldn’t wait for the next day.
- Liz

Day #1 - Arrival and Orientation

2008-07-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

Our first day!

At three o’clock Saturday afternoon, the 4^th Annual Girl Chorister Course officially began. The girls are living on three dormitory floors, with two older, experienced girls leading each floor. The staggered arrival times helped the staff and Leadership team give a warm welcome to each girl. After settling in, course participants sang for Ms. MacDonald and Ms. Haynes; met with the school nurse and received their official ‘Girl Chorister T-Shirt’. Danny led us in some fun & helpful ‘name games’ before we settled into one of the classrooms for some serious orientation to the course, the building, and yes, Manhattan. A scavenger hunt, created by Leader, Maura, complete with rhyming clues helped everyone feel at home in the beautiful building designed and made for choristers.

After a snack of fresh fruit and homemade banana bread (thank you, Heidi!), the girls checked their watches and noted they had 72 hours until they sang Evensong at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. Ms. MacDonald set the pace which would take them to a professional standard very quickly. A break for dinner – fajitas – and quick house meetings after with a single agenda item: how will 9 to 12 girls get through two showers in the allotted time? They worked together on some quick problem-solving and back to another rehearsal.

At 9:00 PM, we ended our first day in the candle-lit chapel, singing Compline.

A combination of nervousness and anxiousness overwhelmed me as I approached the school building. My mom had to circle a few times before realizing that we had to go to ninth avenue in order to be able to drive down and park in front of the school. Inside, Avery, Jess, Maura, and Sarah greeted me with smiles and hugs and from there, I knew that there were eight fun days were ahead. As each girl came in I smiled and sighed, partially because of familiar returning faces and also because I saw new girls that were about to embark on an adventure. We had our first rehearsal and dinner was our first meal as a group together. Later that night, we had our first compline service on the 14^th floor of the building. The lit candles and the fact that a small beautiful chapel like this was in a building was just remarkable. After we sang the chants and hymns, I felt like a sudden calm had been washed over me.

- Beatrice

When I arrived my fellow choristers and I from Rhode Island were an hour late because of traffic. I have a job here as the Assistant to the Director so I was required to arrive at the school at 10:00. It was really great to be able to see my friends from last year as I learned about what I would be doing to help out during the week. As the other Choristers arrived it was great being able to see other people who I have known from other years and slowly get to know people who were new to the course. We had lunch, and it was amazing as I remembered. I was excited to get unpacked and ready for the week ahead. After everyone was settled in, we played “Get to know you” games that helped me meet other people and know more about the people who I already knew. After meeting the people I would be spending my week with, I was able to see that I would be having a very fun week. Throughout the first two rehearsals I slowly remembered the difficulty of the course and I was prepared to work hard with Ms. McDonald and the other girls.

- Hope

Signing up for the choir school was an absolute YES! After coming here for two years so far, I couldn’t wait to come back to sing at Saint Thomas. Once I arrived on Saturday, I took all of my stuff up to my room. During the day we had the chance to meet everybody. Once we warmed up to each other, we all ran upstairs to unpack our bags. I met everyone on my floor, and ran back down and went to our first practice. We sang a couple of songs and then headed up to the dining area. The food was great the year before, so I was so excited to try it again! Heidi our chef gave us our own buffet to make wraps. It was so good! The rest of the day we had more practices and got to know each other more. At ten o’clock we all went to bed...well some people did. I was too excited! But I eventually fell asleep.
- Liz

Hi my name is Krystal. I’m having fun at Saint Thomas Choir School in New York. I’ve met lots of new friends and have learned lots of different music. Some are challenging but after studying it becomes very easy. I love my floor and my roommate, Amanda, is pretty cool. The food is great and healthy. I have one of my friends from my home choir, her name is Mitchelle. My friends at my dinning table are AWESOME and hilarious. I’m going to be really sad when the week is over. Also our gym teacher is really cool his name is Danny, he’s also a chaplain. Our blogging teacher is from Scotland! And we have a voice teacher named Princess, she’s SO MUCH FUN, WE LOVE HER. Ms. MacDonald is hard but she’s really a softie. Mrs. Cobb is really nice but we don’t see her that much. Well that’s what I done so far and it’s only been the third day.

- Krystal

My name is Amanda. I am a first-year participant in the girls summer choir group here at St. Thomas in New York City. First of all, the city as many people know is amazing. There are so many unique sights and smells and feelings that overcome oneself when you enter the streets. Right off the back the city is sensationally inspirational.
- Amanda

I arrived at about 1:30 on Saturday eager to begin the course. I went up to my room with my dad and brother, looked around my dorm and after about 5 minuets, my dad and brother left. This is not my first year at the course, it is my third year returning and I absolutely adore it. After I completed the checklist of thing we needed to do at the course and met my room mate, Andie, we just chilled for a while. When that was over we went back up to our floors and all the girls had a scavenger hunt. We were in teams of four. And if you were wondering, yes, I lost. =( After that we had a couple of rehearsals, we played some name games them we ate, and went to bed.

- Gabby

I look up at the yellow flag waving above my head. “This is the school, Cait.” My mom says again. I can’t believe that this is where I’m going to be staying for a week. As I make my way up in the elevator, family straggling behind, my mind hosts a slide show of the week to come, in a picturesque and perfect way. I meet my first friend, we become inseparable and have the best voices ever. Everyone loves us and on the last day we hug and walk into the sunset for one last good time. Sometimes I forget that life isn’t a movie.

“Are you nervous?” My mom asks just before the elevator hits our destination. “No, of course not!”, I answer with just the right amount of laugh to conceal my nervous voice. Of course I was nervous! I had the right to be nervous! No, it wasn’t the first time I’d been away from home but about half of the girls here had come here in previous years! What if they didn’t want anyone else in they’re little group of friends? If something could possibly go wrong, I was thinking about it.

I soon calmed down. Once I got up into my room, one of my roommates was there, Mariead. She seemed nice enough.

After unpacking I went downstairs for my vocal evaluation. On the line I meet Gabby and Andie. They were on my floor and they seemed really nice.

I walked up to my room after the vocal evaluation, and along the way I meet my other roommate, Hannah. Everyone who I’ve meet seemed really nice so far!

- Caitlin

“Can I have a sparkling water with lemon?” Were Claire’s words when the flight attendant asked her what she would like to drink.

“Um, we don’t have any lemons, but we have lemon juice,” he said. Claire just wanted sparkling water. I wanted orange soda, but they didn’t have any, so I asked for orange juice. The thing is, I don’t like orange juice, so I made Claire drink it. That was the highlight of Claire’s, Ana’s, and my flight to New York.

Caroline

I arrived here at St. Thomas and was pleased to find that the school was right across from the parking garage we parked in. I checked in, and then got a great tuna melt at some restaurant around the corner from the school. I then entered the building again and began my day of orientation. I found I was roomed on the seventh floor, the highest dorm floor, and was glad. Of course until I learned that the elevator is disallowed to campers. Then I was BUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMED oooooooooooouuuuut. But then I realized what great exercise it was going to be. In fact my calves and thighs are feeling sore right this second. I was surprised to find that the food was kind of a big deal. It astoundingly lived up to my standards of my mother’s fine home cooking. The people I met were pretty rad, ESPECIALLY Fiona. Sarah’s pretty cool too, but not quite rad yet.

- Eliza

Saturday was our first day here and we arrived fine if only an hour and a half late for Lindsey and Hope’s meeting! So Anna and I were supposed to go out for lunch with our director, but we had lunch at the school instead. Yum! Then we all just hung out and got to know each other while everyone else was arriving. As most first days are, it was a getting-to-know-each-other-and-our-teachers day and two practices together.

The girls on my floor are amazing; I thought it was going to be hard to beat last year’s group. We all just…flow. None of us fight and none of us despise each other. I absolutely love my room mates. I was so worried that I would get mates that were mean or hard to talk to; but when we all first met, Jane, Amanda and I were all talking non stop for an hour! The other thing that’s different this year is that I’ve grown as a person from being here 2 years before. I remember when I was always shy and scared before the first year, but after that first year, I’m such an open and energetic person! The course really brings out the best in you. I haven’t thought about it until now, but I just realized I’m one of the youngest people on my floor. Not that it matters or anything but I remember I was a bit intimidated by the older girls the first year, but this year it doesn’t matter.

- Kelsey

After the heat of our van ride, the choristers from Rhode Island let out a sigh of relief to enter the air-conditioned building. But it was also a sigh of relief! For all of us, this year is a return trip to a highlight of our summer. Kelsey and I ran up to the dining hall to greet anyone who had already arrived. While the leaders got their orientation, we sat in the Rec Room and found our old ping-pong table and set into an intense game.

Lunch was grilled chicken and zucchini, and absolutely delicious! We had a quick orientation and then went to settle into our rooms and meet our roommates. My roomie Emma really nice and luckily we both go to bed early! After another scrumptious meal we had rehearsal in the gym. It was so great to be back. This is the room I like best. Our voices echo off the walls, and I think everyone is excited on the first practice. We held compline in the chapel and went to bed. I had feared that this year might be like my first, when I got homesick my first night, but I fell asleep content and happy to be back!

- Anna

I got to the school at about 2:30, after taking the subway (a new experience in New York!), and I went down to the gym where all of the other girls were playing a get-to-know game. It was a bit overwhelming at first, because I barely knew anyone out of the forty or so girls that came for the camp. But, it turned out that I knew one person from a former Royal School of Church Music Course, so I wasn’t completely alone. I’ve made some friends, too. After the games, we went to the math room and had an orientation and met the staff. Our first rehearsal was very fast paced, but I didn’t have much trouble following along with the director. After rehearsal, we had dinner, which was delicious! Then we had another rehearsal, and headed to the 14^th floor chapel for Compline. Bedtime was well timed—right when I was getting sleepy. I fell asleep with no problem, and set my alarm early for the next morning.

- Kaethe

Hi my name is Mitchelle and being here is a lot of fun. I’ve made a lot new friends through out the days that I’ve been here. Everyone here is really friendly and fun to hang out with. I feel like my singing has improved more. Going out to central park and to the Saint Thomas church was really fun. I can’t wait until we get to sing at the church, we’ve been working really hard singing the songs.

- Mitchelle

Today I arrived at the Saint Thomas Girls Choir Course in New York City. I have already started to make some friends and we have had a few rehearsals already. I really enjoy the music selection that they have put together for us. After I got fully unpacked I had lunch with the rest of the girls. The food is really delicious and our cook is really nice. There are also vegetarian alternatives to all of the food here, which I think is really cool. So far I think that this camp is going to really be a blast.

- Andie

To be honest, the first day was a little nerve racking. Every girl had to sing individually for voice placement, which was a little scary for a new person. Additionally, the orientation described the rehearsals as very intense. However, as the day went on, the atmosphere was a lot more relaxed. We had our first rehearsal, which turned out to be intense, but only enough to make us give the most effort. We still have plenty of time to laugh and have fun- after all, we are musicians, so for most of us rehearsal is something to look forward to even if we don’t have a few laughs! By the end of the day our diction had already improved. We were all exhausted come night time, but the following week had a lot of great promises.

- Jane

Having made an arduous 25-block pilgrimage from Penn Station, I arrived at the school and gladly deposited my luggage. (Maybe next year we’ll take a cab. 25 blocks in 88-degree weather – phew!) I checked in on the first floor, received a T-shirt and list of tasks, and got to experience the incredible joy of riding the elevator. We had some name games in the gym which broke the ice very well, followed by rehearsal. The acoustics in the gym were truly incredible; who knew that forty girls singing together could make that kind of sound? After this came dinner, more rehearsal, and compline – a beautiful evening prayer service. I turned my light out very gratefully.

- Angharad

We arrived today. I am one of the girls participating in the Leadership Program this year. It was interesting and nerve-wracking on this day. We played games as we waited for the various other girls to arrive. We had a rehearsal the first night and were excited to get the ball rolling. Putting the rest of the girls on my floor to sleep was very easy. I was thrilled to meet all these new girls and get to know who they are as individuals. I am nervous, however, about how they will respond to me as a leader and what the staff expects of the 6 of us. I am confident that I will show my personality in all my activities and be sure to include all the girls in everything that we will participate in.

- Maura

St. Thomas Girl’s Chorister Course was definitely not what I expected. I guess I wasn’t really thinking of an NYC-type school. I was imagining more of an open campus, a few buildings, sort of like a college. What I got was a building like any other in New York, with the works Saint Thomas Choir School inscribed above the door. But I soon found out that this building was not like other NYC buildings at all. With crosses on the walls and 38 musical girls wandering around, how could it be? The inside of the building was one thing, but being in a room with 37 girls whop have one of the same interests as you is another entirely.

I first met the girls in a game in which we did not wear shoes. In this way, and in a few other games, we learned a bit about each other. It was interesting to be around choir girls from all around the country and yet feel as if we came from the same place because of our musical backgrounds.

The first rehearsal was amazing. The Gym amplified our voices so that they sounded like wind on the air. We were many voices combined in one perfect harmony, and it was beautiful. I remembered thinking that if this was the first day, I couldn’t wait to see how we heard in the church.

The meals here are exceptionally wonderful thanks to our chef, Heidi. Her food is delicious and her desserts always combine great taste with help. After our first dinner, we had some personal time in which to get to our room and floor-mates, and then it was back downstairs for another hour of rehearsal. I live on the seventh floor and we are not permitted to use the elevators, so I had a feeling that I was going to get my exercise on this trip.

Just before bed, we went up to the 14^th floor- in the elevators, thank goodness- and had a service in the small but beautiful chapel of this building. The combination of our voices and the glow of the candles made the perfect end to the day.

- Lindsey P.

Welcome!

2008-07-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

This blog page has been set up to allow the families and friends of this years Saint Thomas Girl Choristers Course to read about and the daily activities of the girls. It will contain photos, blogs written by the girls and will allow you to make comments.

In the meantime, here are a few shots from last years course!