Choirs

Under the leadership of Scott Hanoian, Director of Music and Organist, the Christ Church choirs continue a long tradition of excellence in sacred music.  Among the finest Anglican choirs within the United States today, the choirs of Christ Church sing at over 50 choral services each year, regularly offering their voice to our collective prayer and praise. With a remarkable annual repertoire of over 200 anthems, the Christ Church Choirs offer a beauty and depth to our worship that is unique not only in Grosse Pointe, but through the metropolitan Detroit area.
In addition to our commitment to offer music at the highest standard for the praise of God, the Christ Church choir program seeks to provide excellence in musical education for choir members, including music theory and performance, while supporting the overall development, spiritual and personal, of each chorister.

The Christ Church Choir
A Choir of Men and Boys was founded in 1930 by Beecher Aldrich to lead the congregation in liturgy. In 1955, Robert Hawksley organized a Choir of Men and Girls to provide music leadership for an additional service on Sunday morning. Since the inception of both choirs, music has been an integral part of the life of the Christ Church parish. In 2009, Christ Church introduced the Schola as an advanced choir to compliment the fine tradition of the Choirs of Men and Boys and Men and Girls and to expand the repertoire of sacred music offered at Christ Church.

The Novice Program: Joining the Choir
The Novice Program is the preparatory program for aspiring choristers. Novice choristers learn the basics of music theory, vocal production, and sight-reading. Even if a novice chooses not to become a chorister or is not successful in being admitted to the full choir, they will benefit from the experience and knowledge gained by being a novice.
Boys and Girls with an aptitude and enthusiasm for music are encouraged to apply for the Novice Program at the beginning of their third grade year. An informal gathering for prospective choristers is held at the beginning of October after which a simple audition is scheduled. For that audition, prospective choristers will vocalize for the Director of Music and be tested in basic music skills. Prospective choristers are also invited to sing a prepared song, ideally of a sacred nature or a setting of a hymn, however it is only optional as no prior musical experience is required. They and their parents also have the opportunity to meet the music staff, ask questions, and learn more about the program. Novices who have been accepted into the program based on their audition attend weekly classes, starting in November.
The music program typically accepts 4–6 places for boys and girls each year. After Easter, the novice choristers become more involved with the chorister program and participate in selected services.  
Toward the end of May the Novice Program concludes. The Director of Music then offers, as appropriate, a place in the choir for the following fall.
Novices who are accepted into the chorister program are inducted to the Christ Church Choirs during the last service of the year.
For More Information:
Director of Music
Christ Church Grosse Pointe
61 Grosse Pointe Boulevard
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
313-885-4841 x102
music@christchurchgp.org

The Schola
Founded in 2009, Schola is an advanced choir made up of select girls in grades 9–12 and professional singers from Grosse Pointe and the surrounding area.
As an advanced choir for senior girls, the Schola also affords choristers an opportunity for musical excellence and performance unique in Detroit. With a repertoire that includes over 250 anthems and motets spanning 7 centuries and ranging from plainsong chant to 21st-century compositions, the Christ Church Schola is among the finest choirs in Detroit and the Midwest.

The Christ Church Chorale
Under the direction of Director of Music, Scott Hanoian, the Christ Church Chorale is a community oratorio society of volunteer adults offering concerts for the community each year as part of the Soaring Sounds in a Sacred Space concert series. Performing with orchestra at Christ Church, and in other venues throughout Southeastern Michigan, the Christ Church Chorale is known for its performances of great choral/orchestral masterworks. Recent performances have included Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Mass in B minor, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, and Haydn’s Creation.
The Chorale rehearses weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7:30–9:30 pm from September through May.