Anyone who watched the choristers play in a park at sunset with Windsor Castle in the background would have thought they were thirty ordinary kids. However, these young people are anything but ordinary. It is amazing as a chaperone and parent to watch the discipline and dedication these choristers have to their mission of sharing God’s word through music. Traveling with any group is always challenging - but traveling with this group was a gift. They are an extraordinary talented group of young women and men who genuinely enjoy being members of Christ Church Cathedral choir. No complaint was heard about rehearsal time for they know they are rewarded with the beautiful music they make as the sound rings through York Minster. Visitors to the Minster were greeted with the amazing music as well as moved by experiencing this music. As a chaperone, I was so proud of this choir and quite in awe of their music. I also was so happy to get to know these young people better. They worked hard together but they also really enjoyed being together as friends. You see lots of smiling faces on this tour in the pictures taken because there were a lot of smiles on this trip. We as a church should be very proud of the services they sang in England as well as how well they represented us. These young choristers, along with the men of the choir, are truly ambassadors of our church and we are blessed to enjoy their amazing talent each Sunday.
Amanda Naish
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Cherish Every Minute
This is the first time I've ever been out of the country, so everything felt more fun than if this was my second time. The plane was fun (and, as expected, the food on the plane was terrible). I also learned a lot of stuff on this trip. It might help me with my world history later in my educational career. I got to take tours of York, the Minster, London, Jorvik, Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and Castle Howard. My family has never been out of the country. So it was awesome being the first three to go out of the country. Also, I learned to cherish every minute of your life, because it doesn't last forever. England was really fun, but I'm just glad to be back in the land of the free and the home of the brave. My dad and brother really had fun because they probably cherished the time in England. They might not be able to go back to England. The cathedrals we sang in, I can't put that experience in words. It was just so fun. The history of it goes back to the Romans. Kings and queens maybe sat in those cathedrals. We didn't get to perform for the Queen, but I can only imagine if we did. This choir is one of the few boys choirs in the United States and has opened up a lot of opportunities for me, and probably for the whole choir. At my age, going to England would be like a desire, instead of something that could actually happen. So thank you to all the people that made this trip possible.
Virgil Lewis
Virgil Lewis
Where Did You See God Today?
Touring with the choir in England was a surprisingly moving experience for me. Watching God work through the voices of the choir and building relationships with others caused the spirit to stir within me. During evening compline, Dean Wade would ask, "Where did you see God today?" The kids would talk about people they met, friends helping each other, solos -- moments of God's gifts each day. So I asked myself, "Where did I see God?"
Taking part in services at York Minster -- the music, the smells, and the sermon -- all came together to move me to tears. This would be the norm for the next ten days. Almost always it was a particular song that brought me to this point. After the services as we walked through the streets, my son Alden, a chorister, would say, "I knew you would like that song the best." Talking with others I realized I was not the only one having this experience. On a daily basis people would stop and ask if we were the choir singing at the Minster. One evening, while walking down a back alley, miles from the cathedral, a young man stepped out of his apartment, out of breath from running down steps. As it turns out, he was from Cincinnati and he wanted to thank us for Evensong. He said he planned to attend the next evening as well.
It was times like this that I saw the Holy Spirit working, both in me personally, as well as through us as a group. This was evident in the people I met in the places we visited and also as I sat through services talking to those who came to worship. Their stories seemed more than just coincidence.
James Beers
Taking part in services at York Minster -- the music, the smells, and the sermon -- all came together to move me to tears. This would be the norm for the next ten days. Almost always it was a particular song that brought me to this point. After the services as we walked through the streets, my son Alden, a chorister, would say, "I knew you would like that song the best." Talking with others I realized I was not the only one having this experience. On a daily basis people would stop and ask if we were the choir singing at the Minster. One evening, while walking down a back alley, miles from the cathedral, a young man stepped out of his apartment, out of breath from running down steps. As it turns out, he was from Cincinnati and he wanted to thank us for Evensong. He said he planned to attend the next evening as well.
It was times like this that I saw the Holy Spirit working, both in me personally, as well as through us as a group. This was evident in the people I met in the places we visited and also as I sat through services talking to those who came to worship. Their stories seemed more than just coincidence.
James Beers
"Jesus So Lowly"
Since 2007, I have had the amazing opportunity to travel to England four times. Each trip has given me memories I will forever hold close to my heart. This summer, I was privileged to join the choir in York and in Windsor. This trip truly stood apart from the rest. Perhaps it was the growing friendships I’ve had since I was little, or even the fact I’m able to appreciate what our choir does for music ministry. Growing up, I thought music to be music, and nothing in between. But now I can see what the music we give out to the world really does. It changes people just as much as it does me. Music is a healing thing, which affects each of us in a different way.
A tradition of mine in 2007 is that upon the very first step into a cathedral, I look up at the different god-inspired ceilings which tell a story and intertwine with the music we sing. One of my favorite memories within the church had to be during one of my favorite piece of music, "Jesus So Lowly." As we were singing the third verse, -- a more quiet and distinct one -- I looked up at the ceiling and saw these brilliant golden swirls lightly tracing into these indescribable shapes, and I felt this overwhelming sensation believing it to be God. I almost broke into tears. I heard these ringing coming from the voices around me that shook the room, a feeling I will absolutely never forget.
One other memory that stood out vividly was my journey to the hospital, to be treated for tonsilitis, and having an amazing conversation with my two favorite people, the Ballings. I also got the chance to appreciate York for what it gave us and finally understood the miracle of finding this choir, because without it, I would not be where I am today.
Brennan Burke
A tradition of mine in 2007 is that upon the very first step into a cathedral, I look up at the different god-inspired ceilings which tell a story and intertwine with the music we sing. One of my favorite memories within the church had to be during one of my favorite piece of music, "Jesus So Lowly." As we were singing the third verse, -- a more quiet and distinct one -- I looked up at the ceiling and saw these brilliant golden swirls lightly tracing into these indescribable shapes, and I felt this overwhelming sensation believing it to be God. I almost broke into tears. I heard these ringing coming from the voices around me that shook the room, a feeling I will absolutely never forget.
One other memory that stood out vividly was my journey to the hospital, to be treated for tonsilitis, and having an amazing conversation with my two favorite people, the Ballings. I also got the chance to appreciate York for what it gave us and finally understood the miracle of finding this choir, because without it, I would not be where I am today.
Brennan Burke
Purpleman
A fixture on Stonegate Road in York, the Purpleman is perched on his purple bicycle with purple hair, purple skin, purple everything. A tourist attraction himself, our younger boy choristers became friends with the man as our paths crossed several times each day walking to and from the Minster. On our last evening in York, we stopped to chat and drop some coins in his collection. Dressed in their white shirts, ties, and blue blazers, Purpleman told the boys that it was quite the honor to be singing in York Minster. The boys high-fived him, and Purpleman continued to entertain the thousands of people passing by each day.
As chaperones of the Christ Church Cathedral boys and girls choir on the recent trip to York and Windsor, we had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand the impact our choir has on regular people, even purple people. Running from here to there, keeping up with music folders, and searching for missing boy choristers' pants sometimes kept us from seeing how big an impact they really have.
There was the English gentleman outside the souvenir shop who stopped to tell the boys he heard them sing at the Minster and how moved he felt by the music. Another man, originally from Cincinnati but now living in York, came out of his apartment as we walked to dinner to tell us he heard the choir singing at the Cathedral and asked if he could hear them practice. The front desk clerk at the hostel where all the kids stayed came to Evensong just to hear them sing. The waitress at the small Italian restaurant pleaded with the boys for them to sing after learning of their Minster engagement. They happily obliged to not only her delight, but the kitchen staff as well.
As parents and chaperones, there is nothing quite like hearing 43 voices blend seamlessly in the centuries old places of worship steeped in history and tradition. The real story, though, is that these boys and girls and men are touching lives around the world as they sing of God's glory, majesty, and love. The Purpleman got it right - quite an honor, indeed.
John Dailey
As chaperones of the Christ Church Cathedral boys and girls choir on the recent trip to York and Windsor, we had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand the impact our choir has on regular people, even purple people. Running from here to there, keeping up with music folders, and searching for missing boy choristers' pants sometimes kept us from seeing how big an impact they really have.
There was the English gentleman outside the souvenir shop who stopped to tell the boys he heard them sing at the Minster and how moved he felt by the music. Another man, originally from Cincinnati but now living in York, came out of his apartment as we walked to dinner to tell us he heard the choir singing at the Cathedral and asked if he could hear them practice. The front desk clerk at the hostel where all the kids stayed came to Evensong just to hear them sing. The waitress at the small Italian restaurant pleaded with the boys for them to sing after learning of their Minster engagement. They happily obliged to not only her delight, but the kitchen staff as well.
As parents and chaperones, there is nothing quite like hearing 43 voices blend seamlessly in the centuries old places of worship steeped in history and tradition. The real story, though, is that these boys and girls and men are touching lives around the world as they sing of God's glory, majesty, and love. The Purpleman got it right - quite an honor, indeed.
John Dailey
Incredible Privilege
Almost three years ago, the Cathedral music ministry received invitations from York Minster Cathedral and St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle to sing in their hallowed and historic houses of worship. This article is a series of recollections by choristers and chaperones meant to highlight our recent tour experiences "across the pond." I encourage you to delight in the challenges, joys, daily disciplines, spiritual awakenings and new friendships we forged together. What a joy and incredible privilege it was to lead such a talented and dedicated team of musicians and parents!
Erich Balling, Canon Musician
Erich Balling, Canon Musician
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