WESTFIELD-Westfield State University senior Sam Asuque said joining the Atonement Choir at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement as a choral scholar was a “godsend.”
Prior to the first fall rehearsal with the full choir on Thursday night in the church sanctuary, Asuque noted he was a “pilot student” four years ago when the church launched its choral scholars program.
Sam Asuque is a tenor in the Atonement Choir at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement.
“I had recently regained my faith and I kept praying to find a spiritual connection to others,” said Asuque who sings tenor, noting one night members of his hometown church community had prayed over him for a message.
“The next day Scott Bailey offered me the job as choral scholar,” said Asuque. “It was a godsend.”
Bailey has served as the music director at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Court Street since December of 2013. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance in 2003 from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, and completed a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Accompanying from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2005.
“Many churches that have good choirs either have well-established training programs or they have paid singers,” said Bailey. “Most small or medium-sized churches do not often have that luxury.”
Scott Bailey is the music director at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Westfield.
Bailey noted that the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts offers grants for new ministries in a church.
“We applied for the grant in 2014 and ended up receiving funds to start the choral scholars program,” said Bailey. “We have since had many generous donations to the program and have offered fundraising concerts to pay for it.”
Bailey added that the church sees the choral scholars program as an extension of its ministry to the university and students are able to receive paid work experience in their field, which can often be difficult to find for college-aged musicians.
“An added benefit for us is that they invite their friends to sing from time to time,” said Bailey. “The choir members love having the students around and provide for them a safe and nurturing environment for them to grow as musicians.”
Rose Ferraro is a soprano in the Atonement Choir at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement.
As choir members were gathering and getting reacquainted, there were hugs for all of the choral scholars joining for the fall semester – especially from Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud, rector.
“I’m so excited and so grateful for these students,” said Webb Stroud, adding the full choir would be performing Sept. 17. Each choral scholar makes a commitment to sing at 10 services during a semester.
“The students often provide one extra concert at the end of the semester as a fundraiser for the program,” said Bailey. “In the spring, we typically do a musical theater concert where each student prepares Broadway show tunes and skits. In the fall, we have done a service of Evensong or an Advent Lessons and Carols service.”
Choral scholars joining Asuque this fall are Westfield State seniors Rose Ferraro, soprano; Corey Langlois, bass, and Priscila Torres, alto.
“I enjoy being part of this choir because it is a chance to see peace and love,” said Ferraro, adding, “It is an awesome community.”
Langlois echoed those sentiments.
“I love the music, the people are great, and I love it here,” said Langlois.
Torres concurred.
Priscila Torres is an alto in the Atonement Choir at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement.
“All of my friends would come here and tell me about it,” said Torres, adding, “It is a great community here.”
Rounding out the all-volunteer choir are Gary and Susan Cole, Debbie Randzio, Anita MacDonald, Tammy Joseph, Donna Tatlock-Calkins, Jan Parks, Lyn Casey, Sherrie Dennison, Jim Barnes, Sally Angers, Tom Krok, Lee Gillman, Steve Harvester and Suzanna Adams.
“Some have been singing and making music for years and others are newcomers,” said Bailey. “Some read music and others follow what the person next to them sings. The scholars are already music majors that are being taught the skills to succeed in a music career.”
Bailey added that the choral scholars bring their skills in sight-reading, vocal training, and musicianship to each rehearsal and service, elevating the sound and quality of the entire choir.
“They add richness and depth,” said Bailey. “They help to bring out the voices of those singing around them, allowing less confident singers to sing confidently. They help to lead the hymns so that the entire congregation can lift up their voices together.”
Bailey noted another plus with the scholars is when they bring a friend who wishes to sing.
“Any and all students are always welcome to sing in the choir even if they are not an official scholar,” said Bailey, noting that Kayla Burnell, soprano, also sings in the choir when her friends attend.
Corey Langlois is a bass in the Atonement Choir at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement.
“It’s nice to be a part of this great community,” said Burnell, who was also rehearsing Thursday night with the choir.
Bailey, who also is the staff accompanist at Westfield State providing accompaniment for the choirs and the Music Theatre Workshop, as well as individual coaching for music students, said the choral scholars program has been a great addition to the Atonement Choir.
“The program helps us to extend our ministry to the university, and the scholars enrich our weekly services with their musical ability while gaining work experience in their field,” said Bailey.
