To join, an interview with the Director is required in order to determine if the Chorister Program will be a good fit for the child and the family. Trinity is convinced that all children are able to sing, given encouragement and instruction. The interview is low-key, friendly, and designed to help the Director evaluate the chorister’s conduct, singing ability, and reading skills, as well as potential commitment. The potential and needs of each chorister are taken into consideration. The chorister can relax, because no preparation is required for the interview!

•   Every student who is part of the Trinity School of the Arts Chorister Program receives a FULL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP valued at $3000. Students may also apply for a piano scholarship further valued at $750/year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PARENTS:

My child likes to sing but has never had any music lessons. Can s/he still join?

Absolutely. A love of music and willingness to learn is more than adequate. If your child is in the sixth grade or above, it is helpful if they have some musical background (piano lessons, school band, etc), but not absolutely necessary.

Our family goes to church sometimes, but it’s not an Episcopal church. Does that matter?

No. Families of all faith backgrounds are welcome. In fact, even if your family doesn’t go to church at all, your child can still become part of the Chorister Program.

If my child joins the program, do we have to come to church on Sunday?

Any child in the Chorister Program must sing in church on the Sundays the choir is scheduled, since our purpose is to sing at the church’s services. It isn’t a requirement that parents come to church but remember: this is a church choir and most performances will be in the context of a church service. It will be important for you to show interest in your child’s development by coming to some services and hearing him or her sing.

What if we need to miss a Sunday because we like to go away some weekends?

A full year (September through June) schedule is issued in early August. Families are expected to plan around the Chorister schedule. As empty chairs cannot sing, all our Choristers are needed all the time. Unlike other teams, no one sits on the bench or sidelines while others play the game.

I just found out about this. Can my child join in the middle of the year?

Yes. Please call Diane Caruso directly to discuss how best to integrate your child into the choir – some parts of the choir season are busier than others, and thus harder to feel committed right away.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY POTENTIAL CHORISTERS:

This program sounds like a lot of work. Is it any fun?

Well yes, programs like this can require a lot of work. However, we think that when you become skilled at an activity, it becomes much more fun to do, and so is doing the activity with a lot of friends who are as skilled as you. We also reward the hard work that goes into learning a skill by offering Gift Cards to places like Target, Walmart, Old Navy or other good places. But we also know that people’s ideas of fun are different – so we try to offer social activities such as bowling, skating, pizza parties and other activities that help you become friends with each other. That way, each time the choir is together, whether for work or play, is fun, because you’re with people you like, doing something you all like together.

I’m involved in lots of activities after school. Do I still have time to be a chorister?

Maybe not. Learning to handle a schedule is something even many adults are still learning to manage! Coming to the weekly rehearsals is not optional, and choristers may not be excused for long periods of time to participate in other activities. Talk with your parents and decide if this is an activity for which you are willing to make time.

I don’t really like going to church. Is that the only place the choir sings?

No, it’s not the only place, but it is the MAIN place we sing. And singing in a choir makes church feel very different. You are a LEADER in church when you’re in the choir. You are treated as an adult would be treated. And your voice helps to inspire all those people who come to church on Sunday morning.

Why do we wear choir robes?

Because we are worship leaders, we don’t want to draw attention to the individual but to the choir as a group so we dress alike. The vestments consist of a long black cassock with a shorter white surplice over it. In addition, those who have earned them wear chorister pins, ribbons and medals. When a chorister is fully vested, it’s an impressive sight!