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The King's College Chapel Choir
The Chapel
Choir of the University of King's College, modeled on the Chapel Choirs
of Cambridge and Oxford, comprises twenty choristers selected through
annual auditions held in September, which are open to all students at
King's College and Dalhousie University. The choir's primary function is
to sing at the weekly Evensongs and Eucharists, as well as other major
services throughout the academic year. The choir had its beginnings in
the early 1970s when Dr. Robert Crouse put together a group of singers
to lead the worship at the Thursday Eucharists at King's. Since that
time the choir has expanded its role, having sung under the direction of
several notable conductors including Helen Roby, David Buley, and most
recently Dr. Walter Kemp.
In July 2007, Paul
Halley was appointed Director of Music of the Chapel and since then has
built the group into a fine ensemble which now includes touring and
recording amongst its activities. Halley says of the choir: "It is my
hope that over time, prospective students will view the Chapel Choir as
one of the reasons to attend university in Halifax. There's really
nothing quite like the training a fine collegiate chapel choir can
offer. You get through so much first-rate music, just in one week - all
the anthems, motets, mass settings, canticles, psalms and hymns - that
your musical literacy increases at a phenomenal rate."
Nick moved to Halifax in 2008 in order to take up an
apprenticeship with his father as organist and choral conductor at
King's College and the Atlantic School of Theology. Here he hopes to
proceed further into the world of liturgical music, studying pipe organ
and choral direction. As well as assisting his father in Wednesday's
Evensong and Thursday's Eucharist, he has taken over the musical
direction of the chapel's service of Compline (Tuesdays, 9:30pm), the
ancient, candle-lit, mostly sung evening service for which he acts as
Cantor. This collection of services, combined with the brilliance of
Chaplain Gary Thorne and Director of Music Paul Halley, provide an
unparalleled opportunity for a young musician wishing to immerse himself
in the vast and great tradition of church music and liturgy.
Paul Halley is very
happy to meet and hear prospective candidates at any time. If you would
like further information, or to arrange a visit to King's, please
contact:
Paul Halley
Director of Music
Link here to
the Chapel Music
page on the Chapel website...
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