The Choral Fellows

The Choral Fellows are a group of sixteen dedicated singers drawn from the Sunday Choir who additionally perform in the daily Morning Prayers services in Appleton Chapel, one of Harvard’s oldest traditions. This ensemble also represents the University Choir on tour and at special events and provides a demanding, yet exciting, musical experience for those involved. These singers are appointed for the full academic year after extensive auditions held the previous Spring and receive free voice lessons as well as a significant stipend.

The Choral Fellows perform in Christ Church in Alemeda, California on tour in the Spring of 2005.

The Choral Fellows program employs a select group of singers who are dependable and committed members of the University Choir. The Choral Fellows as a group are responsible for between 6 and 8 services a week and their preparation and attendance is considered a given. Their presence helps the choir develop a consistency and polish that comes from singing together so often.

Michael Givey ’06, Annelisa Pedersen ’06, Jonas Budris, ’06, Kathy Gerlach ’07, and Simon Nicholas ’07 enjoy the annual Choral Fellows Boston Harbor Cruise in September of 2004.

Conceived by Dr. Murray Forbes Somerville (Gund University Organist and Choirmaster, 1990–2003) the program is designed to provide a select group of students with a performing opportunity they would not find elsewhere as well as raise the standard of musical performance within the choir.

Michael Wilson ’07, Mark Stansiz ’05, and Frank Napolitano ’04–05 pose for a picture in front of the Bay Bridge while on tour in California.

The Choral Fellows program has been made possible by a major gift to The Memorial Church at Harvard University, with the active support of the Reverend Professon Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in The Memorial Church.

The 2006–2007 Choral Fellows

Choral Fellows are identified by row and from left to right.

First row: Edward Elwyn Jones, Gund University Organist and Choirmaster, Lena Petri HLS, Elizabeth Goodman ’08, Reed Gochberg ’09, Kathy Gerlach ’07, Eva Schlitz ’09, Melinda Biocchi ’08, Olivia Brown ’08

Second row: James Osborne GSAS, Jonathan Roberts ’09, Darren Baker ’08, Kyle McEneaney GSAS, John Sullivan ’09, Aram Demirjian ’08, Michael Wilson ’07, John Tully GSAS

Not Pictured: Christopher Thorpe GSAS

ABOUT THE FELLOWS

Instituted in the Fall of 2001, the Choral Fellows are still a relatively new ensemble (although music has been provided at each Morning Prayers service by members of the University Choir since Harvard’s inception). With this novelty, comes the ability to reform the nature of the group each year as the ensemble continues to improve musically and socially with every incarnation.

IN THE HARVARD GAZETTE

The Choral Fellows perform off campus with such renowned groups and musicians as Christopher Hogwood; Andre Parrott; Collegium Regale, the Choral Scholars of King College Cambridge; Walter Turnbull and the Boy’s Choir of Harlem; and Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata. However, they also find the time to take in a baseball game performing the National Anthem at Fenway Park in the Fall of 2001. Read the article in the Harvard Gazette.

The Harvard University Choir
The Memorial Church
Harvard Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138