22nd Annual Diocesan Youth Choir Week22nd Annual Diocesan Youth Choir Week
Sunday August 8, 2010 to Thursday August 12, 2010
Cape May New Jersey
Thomas Whittemore, Musical Director
For an extra-ordinary week of music making, fun, and fellowship, come to the 22nd Annual Diocesan Youth Choir Week. Sponsored by the Church of the Advent Cape May and The Diocese of New Jersey, this week offers young people the opportunity to sing, play, and worship together.
Information about Cape May: http://www.thejerseycape.com/
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts 
www.capemaymac.org
We sing quality sacred repertoire from many style periods.
The music is varied and challenging. Rehearsals include proper breathing and singing techniques. There is the opportunity to ring hand chimes and/or play an instrument the chorister is studying.
We worship together.
The week begins with Evening Prayer (Sunday 5 PM) and ends with Choral Evensong Thursday (4 PM). Each day the singers, counselors, and chaperones gather to sing Compline, and during the week, there is an evening celebration of the Holy Eucharist either on the beach, weather permitting or in the church.
We have fun!
When rehearsals end for the day, there are trips to the beach, a picnic in the County Park, a treasure hunt, and a Pizza Party and perhaps a talent show.
Who can come?
Singers from ages 11 to 17 and boys with changing voices. Reading music is not a requirement! But is helpful. Every year, we have choristers returning to join in the fun, and some have become counselors and chaperones!!!!
About the Music Director
Tom Whittemore is the Music Director for this year’s Diocesan Youth Choir Week. Tom was raised in Guilford, CT, trained in organ performance at the Choate School and The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. For over 20 years, he was Organist and Choirmaster at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia where he developed a respected choral scholar (boys and girls) program. Presently, he is Director of Music at Trinity Church Princeton where he runs a multiple choir program (adult, girls, and boys) in the Anglican Choral Tradition. Tom is a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians where he serves on the Committee for Mentoring. He is also an active choral clinician in dioceses around the country while also directing and organizing Royal School of Church Music Summer Training courses for young choristers. He is an avid skier (used to race slalom) and loves travel and movies. He is looking forward to working with this year’s attendees on some great music and getting to know how wonderful the experience of Youth Choir Week is.
About Counselors and Chaperones
Singers who are entering the 12th grade may apply to be counselors.. Adult chaperones are indispensable!! The Diocesan Youth Choir Week depends on volunteer adult chaperones who love to work with groups of young people. Chaperones need not be musicians; however, there are opportunities for musical chaperones to assist in the music making. If your church is planning to send a chorister, please consider sending a chaperone as well. Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age.
The fee for choristers is $300.00; partial scholarships are available. The fee for counselors is $250.00. Choristers are housed at The Holiday House of the Girls’ Friendly Society in Cape May. An application form is enclosed and must be returned by June 1, 2010 with a non-refundable application fee of $100.00 which is applied to the tuition costs.
For more information, contact Wade Cooper at 609-884-3065 (Church of the Advent, PO 261, Cape May NJ 08204) or churchoftheadvent@verizon.net.
* PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHOIR WEEK HAS RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL SUNDAY TO THURSDAY FORMAT OF PRIOR YEARS.