A Day (or Two) in the Life of a Chorister

Here’s what happens each week, and what’s needed from each singer to make the St. John’s Choir successful.

Wednesday Full Rehearsal – timeline

  • 4:30-5:00 – Choir School social time in the Education Wing (arrive anytime before 4:50)
  • 4:50 – Choir School no later than arrival time: Come to the Choir Room, put away your electronic device; get your folder and hymnal, make sure you have a pencil, find your seat, put your music in order as instructed. (Dinner helper is preparing the meal.)
  • 5:00 – Choir School rehearsal begins
  • 6:00 – Choir dinner is served in Hubbard Hall (Adults who wish to eat arrive in time to join in), starting with the Choristers’ Prayer and sung grace.
  • 6:20 – Adult Choir no later than arrival time: Come to the Choir Room, put away your electronic device; get your folder and hymnal, make sure you have a pencil, find your seat, put your music in order as instructed. Put away any music from missed Sundays.
  • 6:30 – Full rehearsal begins
  • 7:20 – Parents no later than pick-up time. Come to the Choir Room hallway and wait within sight of the rehearsal; please be quiet so as not to disturb rehearsal.
  • 7:30 – Choir School rehearsal ends, children are dismissed. Mr. Lamlein or his designee must have eye contact with each parent before they leave with their child. Delaying this due to lateness is not allowed as it stops the progress of the Adult Choir rehearsal, which continues at this point.
  • 8:45 – Adult Choir ends
  • Choir School, Important Note: If it is a “Short” Choir School-only Wednesday or Friday rehearsal, pick up time is 6:20 for a 6:30 dismissal and there is no dinner. Please note the calendar schedule.

Sunday Rehearsal and Service – timeline 

  • 8:50 – Choir School no later than arrival time: Come to the Choir Room, put away your electronic device; put on your black cassock, ruff, and medal (cassock only for novices); get your black folder, hymnal, pencil; ensure that you have the proper music for the day, come immediately to the chancel and find your seat.
  • 9:00 – Choir School rehearsal begins
  • 9:05 – Adult Choir no later than arrival time: Come to the Choir Room, put away your electronic device; put on your black cassock; get your black folder, hymnal, pencil; ensure that you have the proper music for the day, come immediately to the chancel and find your seat quietly while the Choir School are rehearsing.
  • 9:15ish – Mr. Lamlein will start incorporating the Adult Choir into the rehearsal, already in progress.
  • 9:35 – Choir School is dismissed to Sunday School. Follow the Head Choristers’ and Prefects’ instructions on putting on your white surplice, attending class, bathroom time, and preparing for the service.
  • 10:05 – Adult Choir is dismissed. Prepare for the service by visiting the bathroom, hydrating, putting on your white surplice, and gathering when ready in the cloister hallway.
  • 10:20 – Choir gathers in the cloister hallway for prayer with clergy, and then proceeds to the back of the nave. Gather in the side aisles or take seats to listen quietly to the organ voluntary. Your quiet encourages and respects the prayer time observed by the congregation.
  • At the conclusion of the prelude, line up for the procession swiftly and quietly.
  • 11:40ish – Service ends. After the retiring procession, find a seat to sit quietly during the closing voluntary. At its conclusion, the Choir School re-gathers in the chancel for closing prayer. All singers return to the choir room to de-vest, turn in the music for the morning on the appropriate pile, put folders away, and then attend coffee hour.