BUFFALO CATHEDRAL RECEIVES MAJOR AWARD

January 4th, 2008 Local News

BUFFALO’S EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL RECEIVES FIRST AWARD OF ITS KIND TO A NORTH AMERICAN CATHEDRAL 

The first-ever grant to a North American cathedral choir by the Friends of Cathedral Music (FCM) centered in London, England has recently been announced.  The cathedral is St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Buffalo, New York.  This chorister endowment, amounting to approximately $11,000 in U.S. funds, will be presented by Neil Page, a member of the FCM Council.  The presentation will occur on Thursday evening, January 24th at a 7 pm Evensong. 

The choral foundation at St. Paul’s Episcopal  Cathedral dates back to 1867, making it one of the first men and boys’ choirs in North America and was one of the first choirs of men and boys in the country.  Now, it is one of only 30 remaining in the USA.  There are currently 15 boy choristers and 12 salaried lay clerks (or choir men).  The choir has travelled overseas extensively, making eight trips to the United Kingdom in the past 20 years.  

The training, education and discipline of being part of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral choirs have helped formed leaders and musicians.  Among those who, as young boys, sang with the Men and Boys Choir are Aaron Bartley, who lives in Buffalo and founded PUSH, an advocacy group for the poor;  William Eddins, one time Resident Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and present Music Director of the Edmonton Orchestra;  Raymond Glover, editor for the Hymnal 1982, the official hymnal of the Episcopal Church USA; Paul Moravec, winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Music; and Valerian Ruminski, a bass who has sung with the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Opera, among others, and has also made a concert appearance in Messiah with the Buffalo Philharmonic. 

The girls’ choir currently consists of 15 choristers and has developed a reputation as one of the finest ensembles of its kind in an American cathedral.   During the past decade they also have toured extensively overseas including singing in several British cathedrals.

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