Life in Our Congregation

Music

Choirs at MAPC

Superb choral music has long been an important part of the life of our congregation. There are a number of choral groups at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church (MAPC) that offer volunteer singers an opportunity to participate in this important ministry, both for liturgies on Sunday mornings and for seasonal services, as well as on the church’s Saint Andrew Music Society concert series. The Church Choir and Children’s Choirs play a special role in leading and enhancing worship on Sundays and for special services throughout the year, while the Saint Andrew Chorale provides an opportunity for members of the congregation and many friends from the surrounding community to present great sacred choral works from across the centuries in the wonderful setting of our Sanctuary. Click here to view the current season.

 
MAPC’s Church Choir is the backbone of the MAPC music ministry. Led by Dr. Andrew Henderson, Director of Music and Organist, this choir consists of a core octet of professional singers and a number of dedicated volunteers who provide inspiring music at the Sunday 11:15 am service throughout the year. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 8:30 to 9:45 pm (September through May) following the Saint Andrew Chorale rehearsal, and on Sundays from 10:30 to 11 am. For a detailed season schedule please click here. New members in all voice parts are always welcome and are encouraged to contact Andrew Henderson for further information!

The Summer Choir meets to rehearse at 9:30 am for the 10:30 am services on Sunday mornings from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend during the summer worship schedule. This is an excellent opportunity for Church Choir members, Chorale members and other friends from the congregation and NYC choral community to join us on a more informal basis to sing a wide range of music through the summer months.

Founded by MAPC in 1965, the Saint Andrew Chorale is composed of members of MAPC’s Church Choir with a professional octet of singers at its core, in addition to members of the MAPC congregation and many friends from the wider community of New York City. During its 44th (2008-2009) Season the Chorale will sing excerpts from Saint-Saëns’ popular Christmas Oratorio at the 4th Annual MAPC Carol Sing, as well as Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus in May.

The group rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7 pm to 8:20 pm. For a detailed season schedule please see here. Membership in the choir is by audition. Singers interested in joining the Chorale should contact Andrew Henderson, Director of Music & Organist, by e-mail at aeh@mapc.com, or by phoning 212-288-8920.

The MAPC Children’s Choirs

MAPC gives children aged 4-13 the opportunity to make special contributions to our Worship services with the Children’s Choir and Cherub Choir. The choirs rehearse as a part of the weekly Kids’ Club program on Wednesday afternoons from 4 to 5:30 pm.
 

The MAPC Children’s Choir and Cherub Choir offer an opportunity for children in elementary and middle school to participate in a program that focuses on the development of children’s voices, singing music of high artistic integrity and developing an understanding of musical notation. The repertoire of the Children’s Choir encompasses a wide range of choral literature for young voices, including the works of classical composers, African-American spirituals, traditional and modern hymnody and newly composed works. The choir sings at the 11:15 am service at different times throughout the school year, including the Carol Sing and the Christmas Eve Family Service. Members of the Children’s Choir also sing with MAPC’s Church Choir on Easter Sunday and on other Sundays throughout the year. Children will have the opportunity to sing under the direction of Mary Huff, Associate Director of Music, and the Director of Music, Andrew Henderson.

MAPC also has a choir for its tiniest singers! As a part of the weekly Kids’ Club program, children ages 4 and 5 have the opportunity to join the Church Mice group and enjoy activities that include vocal exploration, rhythmic play, simple and partner songs, and healthy beginning vocal instruction.

For more information about the Cherub Choir, or the MAPC Children’s Choir, please contact Mary Huff at mwh@mapc.com.

Please direct all inquiries about the musical life of MAPC to Andrew Henderson, Director of Music/Organist, at 212-288-8920 x267, or by e-mail at aeh@mapc.com.

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