(Updated Aug. 15, 2009)

On Sunday, Aug. 2, our congregation was once again blessed with a special music performance, this time from the Maryland State Boychoir. At the end of May, it was The College of Notre Dame of Maryland Concert Choir which performed at our 10 o’clock service. Both choirs are conducted by Stephen Holmes, a friend of our own Faith York.

As was the case in May, the Aug. 2 performance was mesmerizing, with music ranging from traditional hymn and spiritual selections to upbeat songs from Africa. Fifty boys were part of the choir when it sang during the service.

The Boychoir includes boys from ages 8 to 14.

The Boychoir was founded in 1983 and is a community-based ensemble, made up of boys from ages 8 to 21. The choir has performed at the White House, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Washington National Cathedral, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. They also perform nationally and have traveled overseas.

The night before the choir sang at our church, they performed on Peaks Island. Shortly after singing at our 10 o’clock service, they boarded their bus for a Sunday evening performance at the Tremont Congregational Church in Bass Harbor. From there, they were taking the CAT to Nova Scotia for a Monday performance at the Beacon United Church in Yarmouth.

After arriving in Maine, the Boychoir sang at a concert on Peaks Island on Saturday night, at our church on Sunday morning, and then at the Tremont Congregational Church in Bass Harbor on Sunday evening.

One of Rev. Ruth Morrison’s favorite memories of the morning was during the congregation’s time for prayer requests. “Four or five of the boys asked for prayers for their families, ill parents and grandparents, the death of a family member in Africa and the financial consequences for the family,” Ruth said. “One little boy asked for prayers for his sister who had broken her arm.”

At the conclusion of the service, the Boychoir sang and danced down the center aisle. (Photo by Mark Braun)

At the end of the service, the boys danced down the aisle while singing one final time: “I’ll remember you and you remember me.” We will!

Following the 10 o’clock, the choir and the congregation joined together for a lunch in the Narthex with food provided by church members and organized by Stephen Bither and the United Methodist Women.

While the choir was performing in the sanctuary, Stephen Bither, Linda Wakefield, Kathie Hackett, Duane Wakefield and Judith Hill were preparing lunch for the choir.

When the choir wasn’t singing in front of the church, they were singing with the congregation in the pews.

The Boychoir’s musical selections included traditional hymns, but also special music with African roots.

Members of the Boyschoir enjoy their dessert during the lunch served after the service. (Photo by Mark Braun)