RSCM in America/Wilkes-Barre this week

[From Canon Mark Laubach]

Dear Friends:

 
Since 1995, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral and King’s College in Wilkes-Barre have hosted an annual summer choir training course sponsored by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in America. Prior to that year, the course was held from 1990 through 1994 at the Valley Forge Military Academy in suburban Philadelphia. For the first three years of the course’s residence at Valley Forge, the music director was Dr. Barry Rose, one of Great Britain’s most eminent choral directors and church musicians. Dr. Rose is perhaps best known for having directed in 1981 the combined choirs of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (where he served as Organist and Choirmaster at the time) and the Chapel Royal for the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, an event that was seen and heard around the world.
 
Now 20 years after the start of this course, history is repeating itself with the return of Dr. Barry Rose as guest Music Director for the 2010 King’s College RSCM Course, which began yesterday and continues through this coming Sunday, August 1st. Nearly 190 boys, girls, teens, college students, and adults of all ages have come to Wilkes-Barre from all across the continental USA to participate in this week of choral singing in the Anglican cathedral tradition. Dr. Rose is assisted by a large staff of professionals from throughout the country, including organists Mark Laubach (Organist and Choirmaster of St. Stephen’s) and Tom Sheehan (St. Mark’s Church, Philadelphia). The Rev’d Linda Rosengren, Deacon (Jacksonville, FL) is the Course Manager, and the Rev’d William Duffey (Philadelphia) is the Chaplain. The Rev’d Daniel Cube Gunn, Rector of St. Stephen’s, is the host priest, and Bishop Paul Marshall of the Diocese of Bethlehem will be present for closing liturgies on Sunday, August 1st.
 
A number of services and musical events throughout the week are open to the public, and are listed below.
 
Choral Evensong
    Tuesday (7/27), Wednesday (7/28), and Friday (7/30) at 5:30 PM in St. Stephen’s
 
Sung Compline
    Tuesday (7/27), Wednesday (7/28), Thursday (7/29), and Saturday (7/31) at 9 PM in St. Stephen’s
 
Holy Eucharist (spoken)
    Wednesday (7/28), Thursday (7/29), and Friday (7/30) at 7:30 AM at the Chapel of Christ the King, King’s College
 
Morning Prayer or Eucharist (spoken)
    Saturday (7/31) at 8 AM at the Chapel of Christ the King, King’s College
 
CLOSING LITURGIES – Sunday, August 1st at St. Stephen’s
    Choral Eucharist at 10:30 AM  (Missa Brevis in B-flat, K. 275 – W. A. Mozart)
    Choral Evensong at 3:30 PM    (featuring the anthem, Hear my words, ye people by C. H. H. Parry)
 
Faculty Recital
    Thursday (7/29) at 7:30 PM at St. Stephen’s
 
Please feel welcome to join us for any or all of these events.
 
St. Stephen’s Nave is handicap accessible and air conditioned.
 
For more information about the RSCM King’s College Course, visit www.kingscollegecourse.com
 
We hope to see you here in these coming days!
 
Peace,
 
Mark Laubach
 
 
Canon Mark Laubach, Organist & Choirmaster
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Bethlehem
35 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre PA   18701
Telephone:   (570)825-6653
Fax:   (570)825-0430
www.ststephenswb.org