You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

New York's Saint Thomas Choir to sing in Boe Chapel

By Lauren Fischer '08
April 14, 2008

The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, a choral ensemble from New York that is considered one of the finest in the world, will perform at St. Olaf College Tuesday, April 22.

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Boe Memorial Chapel. The 14 men of the choir are professional singers and the 25 boys attend the Saint Thomas Choir School, the only church-affiliated residential choir school in the United States and one of only four such schools remaining in the world. The choir school offers extensive musical training for boys in grades three through eight. Members include John Carson, 12, son of St. Olaf faculty member Catherine Rodland '87.

In addition to performing around the country, the Saint Thomas Choir sings at five worship services a week and prepares more than 400 pieces of sacred music a year. The ensemble has toured all over the United States and Europe, with performances at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral in London, King's College, Cambridge and the Aldeburgh Festival. In 2004 the choir toured Italy and received a Papal audience at the Vatican. In addition, the choir gave the world-premiere performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem, which was subsequently televised internationally by the BBC.

A review in the London Times noted that "An American choir bringing the English cathedral repertory to this country must feel like an English singer taking Wagner to Bayreuth. However, the Saint Thomas Choir from New York City can brave competition with the best."

John Scott has directed this world-renowned ensemble since 2004. Prior to directing the Saint Thomas Choir, Scott was the organist and director of music at St. Paul's Cathedral in London for 26 years. As an organist, Scott has performed on five continents, had many works written for him, and worked with various specialist ensembles.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.