I'm sad to say that I think we're now on the accelerating slope to disaster - Sheffield, Wakefield, Winchester, Peterborough, and now this.
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I'm sad to say that I think we're now on the accelerating slope to disaster - Sheffield, Wakefield, Winchester, Peterborough, and now this. -
The closure of the choir school in its current form, founded in 1919 by T.Tertius Noble previously of York Minster, and the resultant departure of Jeremy Filsell are extremely saddening developments at what has for over a century been a bastion of choral excellence in the Episcopalian/Anglican tradition in NYC. The choir of boys and men has never sounded better than under Dr Filsell. Financial pressures are said not to be the main reason behind the closure. -
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Peterborough's financial problems could presumably have an impact on the choir and choral tradition at some stage, but that's the only connection I can see?Originally posted by PeterboroughDiapason View Post
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This is so profoundly depressing. The progression may be slug-like, but this is yet another step in the inexorable demise of the great English cathedral music tradition. I had thought that the rot was confined to the UK, but clearly it is beginning to impact elsewhere. Evidently America is less immune that I had thought. I suppose it's an inevitable consequence of the flailing death throes of western Christianity. It won't be long before cathedral-standard choirs are the exclusive preserve of university colleges and a very few of the most prestigious cathedrals. As to whether Dr Filsell really has been 'ousted' or, rather, has concluded that the revamped ministry is not for him I have neither opinion nor assumption. Norman is notoriously incendiary. Maybe someone with inside knowledge can elucidate.Comment
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I have no inside knowledge, but I understand that JF was not 'ousted' but that he had forewarned the Rector and Vestry that he would resign if they went ahead with their intention to close the choir school. I am not quite sure what the future shape of the music and choir training is intended to be. Apparently the choristers are to have their academic education at another school locally, though presumably they will continue to rehearse at the former choir school, and there are to be four separate choirs - not a job for one DoM, it would seem.Originally posted by Vox Humana View Post
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Many thanks for that, Keraulophon.This sounds much more credible. As for the choirs, there are UK cathedrals with more than one top line, a voluntary choir and maybe a chamber choir to boot, and direction of these may be shared amongst the music staff. So four choirs at Fifth Avenue could work in the same way without being radical from our point of view. Plus it's by no means uncommon for US churches to have multiple choirs and even a handbell choir too.Originally posted by Keraulophone View PostComment
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Yes, some cathedrals over here have several choirs and they can serve different purposes, with music staff of varying numbers. Truro manages to have separate boy/girl top lines (direction and training shared between DoM and ADoM) plus a voluntary choir (dir. ADoM with organ scholar accompanying) plus another local choir that occasionally sings services. Though not involving cathedral music staff, there is also a family of Cornwall Youth Choirs which sometimes perform in the cathedral (and have sung alongside the cathedral choir in concerts). At some cathedrals their (later established) girl choristers are trained and conducted by an additional cathedral musician, but this is obviously a more expensive option. More recent foundations like Truro are unlikely to be able to afford more than a couple of full-time musicians on their books. Even at St George's, Windsor Castle, the ADoM is remunerated on a part-time basis. Leeds Cathedral involves 158 children singing eight services a week in five separate choirs recruited through weekly Schools Singing Programme sessions. This Diocese of Leeds programme reaches over 6,500 children across the Diocese every week. I don't know how many staff are employed to run all this activity, or what the singing is like, but its inclusivity is highly spoken of. US Episcopalian churches often have multiple choirs, as you say, though they only seem to sing on Sundays; weekday Evensongs are a rarity.Originally posted by Vox Humana View PostComment
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Are you sure? John Scott led that choir to a very high standard indeed. How soon we forget.Originally posted by Keraulophone View Post
It is all about the money. The school has been a drain on the endowment for years, and they have had years to sort it, but haven't.Originally posted by Keraulophone View Post
Separate girls' choir/youth choir - the summer RSCM Girls' course is cited as the model for a new girls' choir, but those girls are the best singers drawn from Parishes and Cathedrals around the country. Not convinced that sort of talent pool exists locally - this would presumably be a non-residential setup. The church is in a decidedly non-residential area and I have it on good authority that they struggle mightily to gather the few youth choir singers they currently have for the Noble Singers Choir. I think these proposals are a feint to cover the real goal, which is to move to all professional adult singers.
It would appear the school has been dismembered in preparation for closing. Also, difficult to recruit when academic accreditation comes into question.
Rather than go through all these machinations to appear to want to keep the school, they should just rip the plaster off, and hire adult women. it is ultimately where they want to go. I predict there will be no boys by 2026.
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Trouble at St T 5th Ave is a serious prob. Fine choir with great tradition, surely?Comment
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