Princeton’s Trinity Church Choir Preps For UK Summer Tour

PRINCETON, NJ — The choirs at Trinity Church Princeton are preparing to for their 2021 UK summer tour where they will be singing at cathedrals in England and Scotland. To help cover costs, the choir is hosting the first of many fundraising events on Sunday, Oct. 6 with an Afternoon Tea & Evensong.

The choir features students in grades third through high school and the adult volunteers. Tom Whittemore who has served as Music Director for the past 15 years notes how everyone is treated as equals regardless of age.

"What is unique is kids play an equal role as adults in the choir," said Whittemore. "It is not your traditional adult choir or kids choir. Kids will sing Soprano just like the adults."

The trip is a tradition and something the church offers every four or five years. The trip has been offered since the 1970s.

"What the trip is about is to take the choir singers, if you will, to their musical roots," Whittemore said. "They will sing at English cathedrals and sing something everyday at the 5 p.m. service with evensong."

The upcoming trip will have the choir sing for one week at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland and also one week at Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire, Ripon, England. The choir members also have a chance to sight-see as well.

"The purpose of the trip is to live and breath tradition and see what we are apart of," Whittemore said.

In the past choirs have sung at The National Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Blackburn Cathedral.

Whittemore added that the trip offers a once in a lifetime experience that stays with members for time to come.

"I find what it does for the choir, from a musical standpoint, by being able to sing on a daily basis, it has a musical benefit and leaves a musical glow that lasts for a year afterwards," Whittemore said.

The first fundraising event of tea and evensong will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St. Freshly baked savories, sweets, traditional scones with clotted cream, and tea will be served. Cost is $35 per person. To reserve a spot email trinitychurchtea@gmail.com or call 609-924-4807 or online at trinityprinceton.org/events/2019-choir-tea.

Those that can not make the event can also donate towards the trip by making a check out to Trinity Church Choir and mailing it to the Financial Office, Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St., Princeton 08540.

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