William Owen, Organist/Choirmaster
David Hearn, Assistant Organist/Choirmaster
Nadine DiLorenzo, St. Nicholas Choir Director

Music is a special focus at Christ Church and is of high quality and major importance to the congregation.  An 18-voice professional choir, a volunteer choir, and a youth choir participate in services on Sundays and on other occasions.  Several times a year, special programs of religious music, open to the community, are offered.

Christ Church Choir

The Choir of Christ Church Christiana Hundred began in 1851 when Alexis du Pont "arranged for some male singers for the choir."  We know that a volunteer choir existed in 1882 and that "musical instruction was provided in the Sunday School to ensure its future success."

By 1900, the choir had 20 members, including a paid "quarette."  The "Choir Fund" began at the time of the 1914 restoration of the church and was established by the treasurer, Henry Francis du Pont. During this time, the choir became a fully professional ensemble. The Rev. Frederick T. Ashton enlarged the group to 10 members soon after his arrival as rector in 1919.  The choir flourished under Firmin Swinnen, who served as organist/choirmaster from 1925 to 1956; and Clarence Snyder, who, from 1956 to 1983, enlarged the choir to its current size of 18 singers.  William Owen has served as organist/choirmaster since 1983. 

Music events for this year include:

• Trinity Sunday, May 18
  Choral Eucharist, 11:00 AM
  Collegium Regale – Howells

2008 Musician in Residence - October 10, 11, & 12

This year’s Musician in Residence will be Sir David Willcocks who will return once again to be with us the weekend of October 10, 11, and 12.  A legend in Anglican music, Sir David has been a close friend and mentor of our organist, William Owen, for many years.  Bill began working on an Oral History Project about Sir David on his sabbatical leave from Christ Church back in 2003.  In addition to hours of interviews with Sir David, Bill has interviewed over 50 additional people ranging from professional singers, former choristers, and choral scholars to students, colleagues, and family.  The project will reside in the Oral History Archive at Yale University and will be an important resource for research on 20th century choral music.  Bill and Sir David have written a book based on material from the Oral History Project.  Entitled A Life in Music – Conversations with Sir David Willcocks and Friends, it will be published by Oxford University Press this summer and released in September.

Sir David will be accompanied on this trip by his wife Lady Willcocks and daughter Anne, who has written texts for some of his anthems.  With Bill, they will discuss this fascinating process of biography, and representatives from Oxford University Press will be on hand.  Sir David will conduct an open rehearsal with the Christ Church Choir on October 11 and on October 12 will direct the music at the 11 AM service of Choral Matins and the 5 PM service of Choral Evensong.  Mark your calendars for an exciting music weekend! 

Christ Church Choir CD's Available

St. Cecilia Choir

Christ Church's volunteer choir sings at the 9:00 AM service on first, second, and fourth Sundays, on Christmas Day, and on other special occasions.  They rehearse two Thursday evenings each month.  All adult members of the congregation are invited to join.  If you would like more information, please contact William Owen, Organist/Choirmaster, by filling out this contact form.

St. Nicholas Choir

Children in grades 1 through 6 may join the St. Nicholas Choir.  The choir rehearses on Thursdays at 4:15 PM and sings for the 9:00 Church service on the third Sunday of every month.  In addition, they combine to sing with the St. Cecilia Choir at the 9:00 service when there is a fifth Sunday of the month.  The choir also sings for festival days and on special occasions such as the Christmas Pageant.  If you would like more information, please contact Nadine DiLorenzo, Director, by filling out this contact form.