Make a joyful noise!

Music continues to be an integral part of worship and community life at Grace. Reach out to our music director, Christopher Hossfeld, at music@gracenewton.org with any questions or to learn more about ways to get involved.

Join the Grace Church Choir

Do you miss singing? Have you been thinking about joining a choir?

The Grace Church Choir welcomes singers of all ages who are interested in joining a dedicated ensemble that strives for excellence while maintaining a friendly and congenial atmosphere. Singing and making music together is a joyful way to connect and share your gifts with a community.

We perform music of all kinds from ancient chants and Renaissance motets to spirituals and folk songs. Weekly rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm and Sunday mornings at 9:30am before the 10:30 am service.

The choir sings from September through June and welcomes new members throughout the year. You can give the choir a try for one of our special services, including Evensong on All Saints Day and our Lessons and Carols service in early December. We also sing special music at major church holidays like Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and Easter.

Grace Church is a progressive Christian community in the Episcopal (Anglican) tradition. We have a long history of welcoming LGBTQ+ members and staff. We strive to be inclusive of persons with disabilities. All who see God are welcome to receive Communion. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here!

Choir FAQ

What if I’ve never sung in a choir before or can’t read music—can I still join the choir?
Yes, the choir welcomes all, whether you have been singing for six minutes or sixty years! While previous experience singing in a choir can be helpful (even if it was a long time ago), the only requirements are a love of singing and a desire to make music in community. Our music director will work with you to make sure you are ready for services and performances.

I love to sing, but my life is very busy right now. Is it ok if I only sing for part of the year?
Yes! While some members sing throughout the year, others join us only on special occasions, when it’s very helpful to have extra singers. Expect to join us for 3 to 4 rehearsals before a major event, such as All Saints evensong at the beginning of November, Lessons and Carols in early December, Christmas Eve, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. If any of these services sound interesting to you, please get in touch with our music director!

What time is choir practice?
The choir rehearsals from September to June on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30pm and Sundays at 9:30am before the 10:30am service.

Do I need to come to rehearsal every week?
Not necessarily. The choir uses our time on Thursdays to learn the music for upcoming services, improve our vocal technique, learn how to sing together as an ensemble, and build an uplifting and supportive community. Our music director works hard to make sure rehearsals are welcoming and fun. While regular rehearsal at rehearsals is important to achieving these goals, we realize that it’s not practical for everyone. It’s okay if you can’t make it to every rehearsal—our music director will work with you on an arrangement that fits your schedule.

What kind of music do you sing?
The Grace Choir has a history of singing music in the Anglican and Episcopalian traditions, which include choral anthems and motets by American, British, and European composers. It has been our practice to sing a major work by a European composer at special services and events. While preserving these traditions will always be an important part of our identity, we are working to explore other rich musical traditions such as spirituals, gospel music, popular music, and works by women and Black composers, who have been historically underrepresented in the Episcopal tradition.

But the choir sounds so good—are you sure you want me to sing with you?
That’s the beauty of singing together! Our voices merge to create something more beautiful than we could create on our own. In rehearsal, you’ll learn vocal tips from our music director and develop your voice by singing with your peers. You’ll be guided through the process of learning the music at every step and we hope you will be surprised by what you can accomplish. Singing can be a wonderful expression of your individual self and we hope to help you discover how fulfilling it can be to share that with others!

I play an instrument, but don’t really sing. Can I still participate in musical life at Grace?
Yes! Whether you’d like to play a solo prelude or join the Christmas Pageant Band, your talents are most welcome! Please get in touch with our music director, who will work with you to find an opportunity for you to express your musical gifts at Grace.

What COVID precautions are you taking?
Throughout the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, our music director has extensively researched ways that we can make singing together safer, adapting to changes and new information whenever necessary. Here’s a summary of our current practices:

• Portable HEPA filters are used when the choir is singing, both in the choir room and around the choir seats in the sanctuary.

• Windows are opened whenever possible to promote good ventilation.

• Choir members are asked to mask during services and rehearsals—this is still the safest way to sing together, given the increased aerosol production during singing. High-quality N-95 and KN-95 masks are provided for all choir members.

• Chairs are spaced at least 3 feet apart whenever possible.