A historic legacy of musical excellence
The first St. Peter’s official robed choir was founded in 1889 under the direction of Alfred Stubbs Baker. Thus, we began a musical tradition of excellence that has flourished for over 130 years. While the Covid-19 pandemic brought us to a temporary halt in 2020, in 2022 we relaunched the program under our new Music Director, Dr. Anthony Hammond. Once more, we can offer vocal training and musical education in the great Anglican cathedral tradition to both girls and boys.
The chorister program is an essential component in St. Peter’s outreach to the greater Morristown community and beyond. The training and education offered are provided free of charge to any young people who can demonstrate both musical ability and a commitment to the program’s standards of excellence.
How it works
Choristers, ages 7 to 14, enter the program as junior choristers. When they sing in services, they wear a black cassock. In due course, having gained a greater experience and understanding of the choir and their role in it, they become full choristers and receive a white surplice to wear in addition to the cassock.
The choristers sing sometimes as a stand-alone group, and sometimes in combination with the adult choir. They learn the importance of teamwork, of leadership, and how to support and encourage each other to achieve the best results for the whole group. Alongside vocal training the choristers learn music theory and relevant aspects of music history.
Our choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and training follows their ‘Voice for Life’ scheme. As choristers progress through the training, they receive medals to wear on ribbons around the neck, which denote the level achieved.
The schedule
The choristers meet for rehearsal on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 pm.
On Sundays when the choristers are scheduled to sing, we meet at 9:15am to rehearse and then sing at the 10:30am service. The Sunday schedule is determined according to when the choristers are ready to sing.
Choristers also sing occasionally at other services throughout the church year, most notably at Christmas and Easter.
Involvement for the whole family
Family members are welcomed in the chorister program. Parents have important roles to play, being responsible for their child’s regular attendance, car-pooling where appropriate, and chaperoning duties. Our Safe Church policy requires that at least one additional adult (in addition to the choir director) be present whenever the choristers are on campus. Parents’ willingness to participate in a rota for this important coverage is essential to the program’s success.
Auditions
Auditions are held year-round by arrangement with Dr. Anthony Hammond, Director of Music at St. Peter’s. Please contact him to arrange an audition or to find out additional information. Speak to him in person following a service, call him by telephone on (973) 538-0555, extension 115, or reach out by email ahammond@stpetersmorristown.net.
A note from Anthony Hammond
“When I arrived to be Director of Music at St. Peter's I saw it as absolutely central to my work here that we relaunch and grow a chorister program to get young people singing in our church once again. If I can help to nurture the talents of your young people, I would love to hear from you. Please reach out, and I look forward to working with you.”